Show me your clean truck!

Wow. I didn't realize it did, thanx for pointing that out.

Haha... Not taking it as you being a dick, I just put that info in a day or two ago and I'm glad you let me know. Changing it now

 

So I've gone through all the posts in this thread and have seen a few of ya'll have taken your trucks through automated washes. When I had my Frontier,I didn't car about the paint,mainly because it was an older truck.

With my Taco though,I have yet to wash her and I've had her 7 months yesterday. I've always heard it's horrible to run them through washes like that,and you'll end up ruining your paint and getting swirls. Any advice? It's hard to give mine a wash with me living in an apartment with no community hose,but I'd rather have a dirty truck than one with swirls from going through a quick wash lol

 

DO NOT put your truck through an automated wash, if you care about your paint. Do not.

find a self serving car wash. Buy the proper products to clean yourself and just take care of business on your own.

 

Ditto on carwashes, unless it's touchless, meaning water pressure only. Also avoid "courtesy washes" at dealerships. I've said it before, on a new vehicle from the factory, the first time swirls are put on your paint is during Pre-Delivery.

 

FACT.

 

Fresh wash

 

I have an unlimited pass to a car wash chain near me, mainly because the job site I've been on for the past year an a half is a mud pit. The locations near me use soft brushes. Twice a year, I'll look the paint over and hit any swirls with a scratch and swirl remover. I've always been able to get them out, and the convenience of blasting thru the car wash whenever I want for sure makes up for the 2 hours per year I spend touching up any scratches and swirls.

 

I run mine through automated carwashes. Up here in the northern country we have to contend with winter and road salt which is much worse for your exterior than any car wash would be. I do try to only use touchless though unless it needs to be scrubbed, and have used the touch option a number of times. I haven't noticed any swirl mark's yet on mine. I think they're fine in moderation personally but wouldn't run mine through the brushes too often, everything in moderation.

 

Sorry, mines usually dirty, other than removing winter salt....

Although the wife keeps the interior spick & spam!

 

BEFORE:


AFTER:

 

After just a basic wash

 

i cringe every time i see somebody subject their car to an automatic wash.

you would be better off not washing your car honestly.

 

Full DIY two stage paint correction.

-Iron X
-Two bucket wash
-Clay bar
-Two bucket wash with Carpro Reset
-Polish stage 1 - (griots G9, Griots Fast Correcting cream, Buff and shine Orange pad)
-Polish stage 2 - (Griots Perfecting Cream, Buff and Shine green pad)
-Two bucket wash with Carpro Reset
-IPA wipe
-CQuartz UK 3.0 ceramic coating
-Carpro Reload

This was my first time using a DA polisher and doing detailing to this level. The polishing certainly isn’t perfect.

Also, doing this level of work outside in the driveway is a big PITA. Dust and other contaminants settle on the paint sooo quick.

 

Had my truck detailed by a guy who does the vehicles at my work.

 

I disagree. If you get a few micro scratches so be it. I've gotten worse damage just driving on the highway. Sometimes it is the only option... especially up north. I respect your opinion though. I do prefer to hand wash my vehicles as well.

 

I’ve never taken a personal vehicle through an automatic car wash, but keep in mind, not all automatic car washes are created equal. A fully touch less will do no more damage than using a high pressure washer in your driveway.. those ones with the spinny brushes are a totally different story.

 

I’m not proud of what I did put it was filthy and I was burnt from packing up camper and going out on a 6500 mile trip, the truck was filthy and i just had to. It’s ok the truck and paint survived.

 

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Though I have seen a few touchless washes in my area I may do. But they also have a place where they provide the pressure washer and a foam cannon to use and wash yourself. Probably end up doing that!