just like i said i have taken my S2000 on the carwash alot of times..

Is there DAMAGE??? Is there Scratches?? Did the Softop shreds??

NO....

 

The problem with any car wash, be it the kind that brushes, a touchless type, or DIY spray is that the detergent is highly alkaline and will strip your car of wax in short order. Cold weather washing is a dilemna. I use either Meguiars or Zaino Bros car wash, in hot water. It won't remove the wax or polish.

Mark

 

when going through touchless carwashes or even the do-it-yourself car washes how do the seals along the windows and hard/softtop hold up?? With my hardtop i get no real leaks with the handheld pressure washers, but with the softtop i get some leakage along the drivers side window. Never taken the S through a automated car wash.

 

I had my 00 for 4 1/2years and now my 04 for about 9 months. Neither one has ever been through a car wash and never will. I used to detail cars all through winter and if you use the proper gloves (neoprene) and take it to the quarter(s) wash you will keep it reasonably clean. There is always the risk of the detergent they use stripping the wax and even the brushless washes can damage your finish. You may not see small swirls or scratches but under proper lighting (fluorescent or halogen) you will. Of course if its extremely cold I just wait it out.

 

I try to limit the number of times a year the S goes through the Carwash, but that why I give it a full detail before every winter and another full detail in the spring. The car wash will not destroy your car, anymore than leaving road salt, caked on bird crap, or abrasive road grime on it.

 

my seals hold up fine in car washes. if i spray the window with a pressure hose, some gets through.

i use the car washes with the thicker, non-spinning brushes; the ones that go side to side. the spinning ones are bad for the paint.

 

I know that this is heresy but, I have been taking mine through a car wash for 5 years. The wash system only uses brushes on the sides. The top is just a wash. I have no marks or other damage from using this process.

 

For the people that don't have the luxury of second car, it's good to know that there's a time proven and it's fine to taking the S through car washes. Just keep it a small amount of time you do it each year, I guess.

 

I'll take my S through a touchless wash if I'm in a jam, but I hand wash even if its 30 degrees outside. On my S at least, the jets push a lot of water in where the back of the window meets the roof. Bring a towel to grab the water, and you'll be alright.

 

do it yourself quarter car wash for me cause I don't have a water hose at home.........but make sure you rinse out that scrubing brush with the water to remove any rocks or anything hard that might be hiding in there that might scratch your car first.........