Automatic car washes...Is it possible?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 1,356
From: NY/Canada border
As stated, been in my local monthly subscription wash dozens of times with 3 different vehicles and no ill effects. It's nice to see the opinions of others to help you out with a decisions sometimes, but that statement isn't one of them. So for now, I'll stick with what I know is working for me.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 4
From: Lakehills, TX
There's a chain called Zip's with a location at Bandera/1604 on the far northwest side of San Antonio. I have an unlimited monthly membership there, and it does a pretty damn good job on my truck. They seem to maintain it well and take it fairly seriously. I usually stop by any time I drive by, which generally tops out at a couple times a week. I don't know about their other locations or if they all have the same level of quality, but it's probably worth checking out if there's one near you.
https://www.zipscarwash.com/
https://www.zipscarwash.com/
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 32
From: Maryville, TN
Zips recently purchased the chain of car washes I use here in East Tennessee. No change other then the price going up then back down from the previous ownership, but it's a quality wash job.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
My local carwash reclaims water, dead giveaway (besides seeing their system) is the water stinks pretty bad. I have found carwashes as a whole to do a pretty crappy job cleaning whether it be the automatics or just using a the pressure wand. Sometimes if I don't feel like pulling out my pressure washer I will go to the carwash to pressure wash the underside but that is about it. I can get my truck much cleaner by washing it at home the old fashioned way. I use much better car wash than the commercial outfits use too. Just take longer.
What really POs me is when a rig comes in and sprays the grease accumulation off their hitch and gets grease all over the place. Then you end up stepping in it and its all over the hose. Scumbags.
What really POs me is when a rig comes in and sprays the grease accumulation off their hitch and gets grease all over the place. Then you end up stepping in it and its all over the hose. Scumbags.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 292
Likes: 2
From: Southern Maine
my friend owns a high end detailing business and he gets paid ALOT of money to restore the damage that automatic car washes do. Those rotating brushes can do a lot of damage over time, especially to a dark paint job. My recommendation is to use one that is "brushless" or use the do it yourself one and limit the use of the "scrub brush"
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 2
From: SW ON, Canada
I always wondered about your avatar, forum name and sign-off. Now I know. When I see one of your posts, it always reminds me of Rose Royce's "Car Wash" tune. 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 951
Likes: 20
From: SW Indiana melon fields.
You got me to thinking I need to change it. My wife calls me George (not actually my name, but imitating Lennie from Of Mice and Men) and I call her The Bear (from a nickname a former co-worker gave her).
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
I use automatic car washes. As long as it has a 7 foot clearance I know I'll fit. I just have to fold my tow mirrors in.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 101
Likes: 2
I've taken my 2012 F250, CCSB that's just an inch or so under 7' through three touchless carwashes in the past month. One had a clearance of 7', I barely fit, but did fit. I did have to pull one mirror in to get past the dryers. The other has a clearance of 7'2", I took it through there two times without any problems, didn't even have to pull the mirrors in.
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