never enough time to wash...
 

Yes it has been posted I'm so sure...
still it is tempting to drop by the 'cloth' car wash and just have them 'make it happen' so one can drive out with a clean car. I'm sure many/most rx owners would say NO NO NO but really I see some very expensive rides at my car wash that cost much more then my humble rx8.

Does it really do that much damage to put our 8's through one of these washes?

The flames may commence now...

I've never taken mine thru one of those - but I would say it would most likely depend on the place - I certainly have heard horror stories of "fresh scent" being sprayed on the interior and damaging interior pieces, and of places that are too hard on the paint or places that the 8 sits a bit low to get thru. If you have a good place and can check it out ahead of time and specify what you want them to do and NOT do, I would guess that some members have found places like that and are fine. For me, in the winter, I just go to the "self-wash" places and spray it off (don't ever use the brush), and then once it's warm enough, I do it myself.

Many of these mechanical car washes, in urban/suburban areas, are now recycling water. I would think that they have to change there water daily. The morning is probably the best time to get the freshest water.
I use the "self-wash" places. I costs about 3-4 dollars to wash the car.

Even if you don't dry & detail your car, it only takes maybe 10 minutes to give it a quick wash in the driveway. I'd steer clear of the car wash!

I dont see any *self-wash* thing in NYC. they're all those *brushless car wash thinggy*

Detailing spray is your friend (between/in lieu of hand washes). Machine washing is not. That instant gratification of 'make it happen' drive thru will soon be supplanted by irritation due to the many swirl marks to be dealt with.

^ Yes, if you live in NYC - and don't have a driveway or even access to a hose - it's almost impossible to wash the car without a car wash. I go to a couple of "hand car wash" places (Ft. Lee, Long Island City, Bedford Hills up in Westchester) or wash it when I visit friends up in the 'burbs.

But I really miss being able to wash my own car every Saturday morning with a bucket and hose.

Stay away from those. Go to hand wash if you must.

Of course many don't care about swirls in the paint.

It really doesn't make that much of a differance. Its a daily driver for you.

Its only a car.

yeah many expensive car go to these too, but they have no pride in thier ride!! show some love and hand wash your baby...nothing like having your OWN products touch your car...

My wife's year 'round IS250 and daughter's Mazda6 go through the brush-machine washer. One of the better places around, but still there's contact. Not much else you can do here in Winter . But then, the interior of their cars are like most women's - similar to their handbags (sorry ladies, but the truth for the majority), so the concern for care is just not the same. As Razz1 says, "It's only a car."

But my '8 has never seen a machine wash, and never will.

Never fear, Jedi is here!!

Avoid (at all costs) the auto car washes with the machined bristles. That will FUBAR your paint very quickly.

If you MUST go to a carwash I would recommend a 100% Hand Wash only place OR better yet, keep a wash mit and some microfiber towels in your car and go to a coin wash. Do NOT use their brush. (hence the wash mit)
- Spray soapy water
- wash
- Spray with clean water
- spray with spot free rinse (distilled water)
- Pull out of bay and hand dry with your own towels.

Shouldn't cost you more then a couple bucks to do.

I give mine a once a week spray with the soap, then rinse, spray gun at a decent coin-op with no actual brush contact (a few bucks, 5 minutes), then once a month give it a major hand wash.

you mean not everyone here washes their car every weekend and Zaino's their car once a month?! :scratchhe
:(

Besides the Saturday morning ritual, if on any day I walk out to the car and see any dirt on my WWP, I don't go back home at the end of the day until it's at least sprayed down even if it's forcasted to rain/snow within the next 12-24 hours. The gunk I pick up on the roads here is awful.

It's kind of hard to wash in the driveway in the middle of January where Im at . So if I want to wash the stupid salt off , it's car wash place .

Ya, unlike SoCal, we actually have changes in the weather here. :)

i carry quick detailer at ALL TIMES!!! i havent washed my car in a good month, and it still looks like its just been washed...i use it just about everyday during my lunch break, turn the music up and get to sprayin and wipin...

I don't have access to a way to hand wash my car. I take it to the local car wash, and use the sprayer. It works out rather well, I like to think.

The weather changes during the year?! HAH!! yeah right. Next you're going to tell me that the world is round. :banghead:

What kind of fool believes that. Next up, "WE revolve around the sun." I mean, come on, we're not moving, the sun is. Proof right there!

Cyber: you are a gentleman and a scholar.
EVERYONE knows that WE are the center of the univers. SHEESH, what are they teaching these kids in school these days?!

Duh!!!!!!

LOL I thought only I did this. I detail spray when I get home almost daily (at least the front end) and also carry detailing pads in the car. You never know when there'll be a dive bombing bird strike! :)