Having recently reverted to a Z, from a GTO, I have always washed it using a jet wash. This was out of habit of having to do this with the GTO to avoid half of the body (ie. spoiler) being ripped off.

 

However, its just dawned on me, that I may not have to do this anymore, and may be able to use a normal car wash(which can get the wheels looking really good!!).

 

Can someone confirm that drive in car washes are ok, before I proceed...

 

ps. I have standard spoiler, with tailgate panel conversion.

should be ok, but i wouldnt recommend them, do a much better job by hand.

Hi ygb,

Ive used garage car wash & jet wash with no probs.

Just standard things like radio off, if elec antenna.

Make sure the targa tops are water tight!

Ive not had any parts come off. Mine is standard ZX TT.

I do wash the car by hand too!! ART.

:eek: Mate - avoid car washes like the plague - that's how you get the ice-rink effect on your paintwork with loads of swirls in the paintwork.

 

Use a decent cellulose sponge and car shampoo (never fairy liquid !!). It's your pride and joy man - it deserves some TLC ;)

 

If you keep it's coat of polish well topped up it'll only take a few minutes to wash it !

I've never ever taken any of my cars through a car wash, because of the aforementioned 'swirls'.

 

Bucket, sponge and a decent shampoo........its the only way! :D

Do not use a drive in car wash,in time it will fook your paint,a jet wash is far better IMHO!

If you have a lot of cars in your car-park at work, why not see if a local mobile valeting service will come round. The ones round here charge about £12-£15 for wash/wax/wheels and they do the interior too for that price! You get a beautifully hand-washed car, with a dust free, clear windowed, air-freshened cabin.

 

If you get them to come round and they have a lot to do, then they might do yours for free, as a 'thank you' for the extra business!(That's how my one gets cleaned;) )

last car wash I went in smashed my parents bonnet on their escort

 

I dont trust them, i either get it handwashed for 7quid or clean it myself, that way I can polish it up with several different polishes and layers :)

Never use a car wash. Any slightly loose paint and it'll be ripped off, swirl marks in the paintwork...

 

 

Bad idea...really...bad.

 

Handwash is the way to go. :)

Yeah - I'm with Ajay here. The paint on the plastic of the front bumper (and air-dam) is not very well held on, and if it's got any chips/scratches, a jet-wash can strip the paint off very easily. I've even had trouble hosing my car down with a garden hose!

 

I would strongly recommend avoiding all automatic car washes. Personally I give my car a hand-job whenever possible!

 

Russ.

Originally posted by konrad

It's your pride and joy man - it deserves some TLC ;)

 

Depends if it is his pride and joy.. it might just be a car that gets him around.. :)

 

All mine gets is a wash every few weeks, and maybe a quick polish every few months.. if it's lucky..

 

Or if I'm feeling spectacularily lazy, taken through the carwash, like I did before it went for it's alarm fitting..

The words "barge" and "pole" spring to mind :rolleyes:

Dave

I've always washed by hand. But the previous owner must have taken it through the car wash as I've got swirly marks all over!! Anyone know how to get these swirly marks off? And whats the best polish to use?

Thanks.... Malibu:D

get some Zymol polish, your swirl marks will soon dissapear.

Clarkey,

I've seen this stuff in Halfords now. I have some swirk marks, visible in bright sunlight, due to my 'over-enthusiastic' polishing method.

Have you tried this on your Z?

Dave

Hand jobs are the best, good for the car too !! you cannot beat a good old fashioned hand job;) :D :D ;) :p

Nice one Clarky. I'll be trying that on Sunday as I'll be fishing on saturday!!

Malibu

cant say ive tried it myself, still have quite a bit of autoglym left, will be buying this next time round though. But anyway I know a few people who swear by this stuff, reckon its miles better than AG/meguiers

Dont think a zed will go through an IMO/ ARC carwash, as these are conveyor carwashes as opposed to a normal drive in one, i think the bottom of the car will grind getting on and off the conveyor.

 

Carwashes in general do knacker paint as its like whacking the dirt off mith a plastic brush, having said that if your cars got a good layer of polish on it the odd carwash shouldnt be the death of it for when youre being particularly idle!!!

I use colour magic! Is that rated at all? or is it supposed to be shite?

Originally posted by chopper

I use colour magic! Is that rated at all? or is it supposed to be shite?

 

Id bin it if i were you, i swear by autoglym, but each to their own, just cant be arsed washing colour magic off my hands for the week after i use it!!