how many of you with convertible f-types are taking your car through a regular car wash with brushes? as anyone had a dealer tell them not to?


thanks!

 

I only ever use one place which does great hand washes. I've never taken the F to any of the automatic washes. I think dealers are some of the worst culprits for using the automatic machines

 

I don't and wouldn't. It's about the easiest car in the world to hand-wash.

Brushes aside, it's not a good idea to be continually dumping all that soap and wax on the fabric top, which will penetrate into the fibers won't be fully rinsed out. Car wash soap was never intended for use on a convertible top, and all you really need to do is rinse it with clear water.

 

I've had the F Type convertible washed once and I have to admit I took it through the automatic wash with the brushes and all that.

 

If you want to ruin your cars paintwork in short order this is the best method, stay away from these type of car washes at all costs!

 

I never take my cars through a car wash with brushes and almost never thru a brushless car wash. I never let the dealer wash my car when in for service. Dealer employees are the worst for using dirty rags when washing the car. Hand wash is the only way to go. However, I am in Florida where I can hand wash year round and realize that may not always be an option in colder climates. But no brushes!

 

 

Except, of course, for painting.

Can't speak about dealer cleaning - personally I've never had a problem there - but I prefer hand-washing (or carefully using a quick detailer at times) and with the F-Type that's a particularly satisfying experience. I would prefer leaving the car filthy than putting the F-Type through any automated wash.

P.S. Got my first windshield chip yesterday on the drive in to work - it happens - and called my excellent glass place who took me in right away for one of those windshield chip repair jobs. $69 + $10 gratuity for a job well done and almost as good as new. Like I said, it happens and it's now barely noticeable. (And luckily not in my line-of-sight).

 

Check with you insurance company. Many will reimburse up to $100 for glass chip repair even if you have a deductible (without jacking your rates).

 

I have used the brushless variety and will continue to do so. It's a car. I can always get a new convertible roof if I kill my present roof.

 

True, but the F-Type top isn't anything like the one-layer "tarps" we used to slap on "ragtops" from the 60's. I'd guess you'd be looking at $3-4K to replace it.

 

I suspect you are right about the price. I do think of time vs. $ - sort of cost-benefit.

So - hand wash hours vs. things I'd rather be doing. $4000 isn't a lot of hours of work. How soon will I need to replace the ragtop? Every 4 years?

I will admit - that hand washing is best. The car looks stunning afterwards. I bought a black car. Will need a hand wash daily..... I knew that buying it. I love black cars.....

I know.....

#FirstWorldProblems

 

Thank you Ihoboy. I already knew that and the woman checking me out asked if I was going to go through insurance and, spur of the moment, I simply decided to pay the $69 without involving the insurance company.

Best regards and Happy New Year!
RJ52

 

Happy someone brought that up. While I will avoid, for the most part, any automated car wash (particularly for my F-Type) it is, as enfield, accurately, states [just] "a car".

 

how do I post a new message?

 

Over a period of time, the difference in the finish can be literally like night n day, or in this case, the difference between grey and black!

Using Black as they best show the the differences for comparison.

This was true to a lesser degree for me on my Audi A6 in Stratos Blue always hand washed, but still with some swirl marks inflicted, its really hard not to.....

Hope this helps to illustrate what the cars paint should look like and what it will look like over time if drive through car washed are used.

 

Understood. With my carrier, I can just call the claims department and they'll send a Safelite glass truck to wherever the car is to do the repair.

 

Agreed! You drive (you better drive!), you're gonna get a chip, scratch, etc.

Thanks Ihoboy.

P.S. I decided, because of you Ihoboy, to call my insurance broker and, what the hell, had her make the windshield chip claim refunding my $69. So, thanks!

 

Take a look at premier AutoWorks in Cedarburg WI, that’s the guy doing the detail on the 2011 XKR 175, that I just acquired as used, a few weeks ago with 18K miles on it. The previous owner was apparently fond of automatic car washes.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Premi...81851471842652
It is an over "one-week" job.

I'll post some "after" photos when the full detail, including glass coating, is done.

 

LOL . . . a daily automatic car wash will set you back about $14,600 in 4 years + $4K for new top, and you're close to $20K. You waste about as much time waiting in line for the car wash as it takes to hand wash.