Sorry to hear about your car wash incident. The first day I had my S2000, I took it to my local detail, hand wash, no rail car wash. I was the first on line. I couldn't understand what they were doing with my car for so long. They were talking in some foreign language about the dent they just put in my door directly below the mirror. Car wash offered to have the dent removed, and someday maybe I'll let them.

Anyway, I should've known better. I usually only hand wash and wax my cars myself.

As to automatic car washes which pull your car along a rail, they're nice if you don't mind the scratches and the job they're doing on your allignments, front and rear.

As to high pressure wand self car washes, they'll blast silicate crystals right through your clear coat.

I'm looking at the Pacific Ocean out my window. Santa Anas are blowing. It's too bright and too warm here today. Too busy to wash my car today.

Later.

2x6 and out.

 

Even touchless automatic car washes can damage the the S2000. It says never use them in the owners manual as they will hurt the seals around the windows and windshield frame, not to mention sandblasting your finish. All that dirt form the last car goes somewhere, usually right back into the water used for the next sucker.

 

I haven't taken my S2000 to an automatic touchless place. I thought that the high pressure water spray would leak thri the rubber seals on the top and sides of the convertable top. Am I wrong and they don't lean when with high pressure water?

[This message has been edited by Squeezer (edited December 27, 2000).]

 

Wow that stinks! I'll only bring my '86 Corolla to a regular car wash. FYI, since it sounds like you are a local guy, (Bergen County)there is a pretty good hand car wash in my hometown, Westwood. I used to bring my Prelude there when it was too cold to hand wash it myself. The prices are decent and they do a good job. It's right behind the Seville diner.

P.S. Good luck in small claims court with those d.b.'s

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Squeezer:
[B]I haven't taken my S2000 to an automatic touchless place.

 

hey does anyone out there know if the Turtle Wax car wash is safe for our S2000's.....I'd really like to know because sometimes I just don't have enough time to wash mine

 

Car Wash...a business I know something about. If you're going to use one of these keep in mind the newer the equipment the better. Great strides have been made in the last 5 years.

As far as touchless. Yes they do an adequate job provided your car is not real dirty. Keep in mind however that they do NOT wash with pressure. They wash with chemicals. These chemicals will strip the wax and dull your paint. These could also be damaging to your convertible top.

The friction washes do a much better job but have a tendency to cause more damage to the vehicle. Look for a friction wash that uses the new foam type material. These don't scratch the car (they will actualy polish)and don't absorb water, hence they don't get heavy and damage the vehicle.

If you are going to use an automatic car wash I would recommend looking for a Karcher automatic wash unit if you can find one. These are made in Germany and are truly the top of the line in car wash equipment.

Most car wash owners will fix any damage caused by their equipment. Perhaps if you explained to the owner that the hood on your S2000 is aluminum, and very easily dented he will reconsider and at least pay for part of the damage.

 

Not sure what you mean by the Turtle Wax car wash. Turtle Wax sells chemicals to the car wash industry. These have proven to be safe for all vehicles. Keep in mind however that you are not applying a wax but rather a protectant. Turtle Wax is currently being sued for using the term "wax" when they are realy selling a seal coat protectant.

 

Turtle Wax has car wash and auto appearance centers in the Chicago land and Kansas City areas. They have washes that run from 15 to 100 dollars. I have used them washing my Eclipse with good results, but I'm wondering whether it would be good for the s2000 too(not damaging it in the long run I mean)