Auto car wash experience

[Rolfe]

I’m just having to spray stuff on, leave it a bit and spray it off.
Hey presto I’m doing something else in less time than someone using a bucket, or you driving to the local handwash and queuing.

OK, Bowfer, I'll bite. I have a hosepipe. Let's have some details about this really easy-care process. Or link to another post where you described it?

 

[bowfer]

OK, Bowfer, I'll bite. I have a hosepipe. Let's have some details about this really easy-care process. Or link to another post where you described it?

1. Buy a pressure washer.
2. Buy some citrus pre-wash and/or snow foam
3. Either buy a pump spray bottle for the pre-wash or a snow foam Lance depending on above.
4. Apply either/both and leave them on for a few minutes.
5. Pressure wash off

There you go.

 

[Ian Key]

You can buy a foam gun for use with a garden hose without the need for a pressure washer. The foam isn't as good as through a pressure fed snow foam gun/lance though.

https://amzn.eu/d/hq6JxEZ

 

[bowfer]

You can buy a foam gun for use with a garden hose without the need for a pressure washer. The foam isn't as good as through a pressure fed snow foam gun/lance though.

https://amzn.eu/d/hq6JxEZ

Washing the mucky goo off is going to be a bit limp though

Ooh er matron

 

[Mike SOS]

If a ZS model always remove the ariel. It unscrew quite easy.

 

[Edoc16]

This isn't about damage caused by car washes - people's experiences and opinions differ. What is certain is that I've had cars that were always left with dirty patches. The shape of the panels prevented the brushes reaching all parts. With such a sculpted body, does the 4 suffer from the same problem?

Doesnt matter what car you have Bryg, I've never used a car wash for many a year as they inflict too much damage to the paintwork over the period. I use one of the many hand wash companies around my area.

 

[BryG]

Fair comment. This is the first new car I've had for a while so I'll take the advice of many drivers here and avoid.

 

[Ian Key]

Hello. I was waiting in the queue at my local automatic car wash a couple of days ago and happened to notice a sign saying that cars with rear spoilers should not use the car wash and beside the instruction was an image of an ageing Mitsubishi Colt with a roof spoiler not dissimilar to that of the Nissan Leaf. By now I was committed to waiting in the queue and thought that the Leaf would probably be OK but when the time came I 'Chickened out' and drove through and exited without washing. Just wondered if anyone on the forum was regularly using an automatic car wash without problems. I'm not keen on using a Jetwash for fear of damaging the camera in the boot lid. Perhaps a bucket and sponge is the only safe answer!

I use a jet wash to clean my MG4 but I make sure I use a wide spray pattern and try and keep the jet at 45 degrees to the bodywork.
There is a thread about cleaning cars somewhere... found it

MG4 Detailing Thread - Other Models/Marques welcome!

There is much discussion on washing/detailing on the site but not a single specific detailing thread I could find. This thread is for the obsessive (and not quite so obsessive) detailers. Share your tips, tricks, photos. Discussion of automatic car washes in a positive light will be treated...

www.mgevs.com

 

[Mike SOS]

MG ZS model. If using a automatic car wash always remove the radio ariel. They unscrew quite easy.

 

[Lovemyev]

Automatic car washers are the devil ? own work, I never have and never WILL use them.
A correctly set, contactless jet wash is the best option if you value your body work.
The cheap quick and easy hand car wash places are completely off my list as well.

 

[Rolfe]

Life's too short.

 

[JonnyG]

Yeah, I would'nt go near one myself. If I really had to I'd go to hand a car wash place but take my own wash mitts and drying towels to use. They tend to drop theres on the floor ?