How to properly wash truck

[Bluesurf]

I have a subscription for my three vehicles at Mister Car Wash. They are all over the country in many cities. My truck always looks pristine. I can go every day and multiple times a day too. They use large strips of blue felt to clean, nothing that will scratch. At the onset they will spray some bug remover on the complete front end. My package includes the underbelly and wheel wells, the tires come out as if I used Adams Tire Shine every time. Afterwards I can use the vacuum and towel the inside of the window vent visors as well as the door jams. The day I found this place was the day I stopped breaking my back. I love this place.

Location

mistercarwash.com

 

[vincentw56]

I have a subscription for my three vehicles at Mister Car Wash. They are all over the country in many cities. My truck always looks pristine. I can go every day and multiple times a day too. They use large strips of blue felt to clean, nothing that will scratch. At the onset they will spray some bug remover on the complete front end. My package includes the underbelly and wheel wells, the tires come out as if I used Adams Tire Shine every time. Afterwards I can use the vacuum and towel the inside of the window vent visors as well as the door jams. The day I found this place was the day I stopped breaking my back. I love this place.

Location

mistercarwash.com

I think the fear is it isn't the material they use to clean, it is what gets trapped in that material that will scratch your paint.

 

[Bluesurf]

I think the fear is it isn't the material they use to clean, it is what gets trapped in that material that will scratch your paint.

I have black paint. I used to go to Kwik Kar and yes the materials they use cause paint swirls and scratches. Last year I spent $500. on deep claybar and ceramic and got it perfect. I have not seen any issue thus far. My package gets my truck soaped 2x at different spots in the wash, soap cleans and also lubricates. No scratches yet. No aching back.

 

[Gipraw]

The issue with tunnel washes boils down to a few things.
-Is the equipment well kept?
-Are the chemicals being used in their correct ratios? Mixed too strongly the soap will strip all wax/sealant/etc from your paint. Mixed too weakly they will not provide enough lubricity to prevent the brushes/curtains from causing scratches/damage.
-Has one of the vehicles previous to yours left something that could damage your vehicle since the tunnel was last checked. Rope/wire/chain/car parts etc.

 

[mmcbeat]

Mine is not a pansy truck. It's paint is correct right off the assembly line. It even does truck stuff. It gets the dirt blasted off and keeps getting down the road and across the trails. It feels lucky to get the carwash. It knows if it steps out of line and lets me down, it will be sold off like so much scrap metal. It has the balls to stand up to a carwash.

Right on. If I owned a Porsche or maybe a Hellcat I might be more particular washing it. That and I generally trade vehicles every three years. Never once have I been gigged at trade time in time due to finish issues.
In no way am I ragging on you guys who like to keep your trucks pristine. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[User_3336]

I have black paint. I used to go to Kwik Kar and yes the materials they use cause paint swirls and scratches. Last year I spent $500. on deep claybar and ceramic and got it perfect. I have not seen any issue thus far. My package gets my truck soaped 2x at different spots in the wash, soap cleans and also lubricates. No scratches yet. No aching back.

"deep claybar"? Explain please.

 

[Bluesurf]

"deep claybar"? Explain please.

Yes, When I bought my truck and I brought it to a local paint correction specialist they took my hand and moved it all over the truck. It felt prickly. They told me that that was called overspray. When I got my truck back all the "over spray" was gone. They used clay bars, they are so small. They look more like silly-putty. They also put a ceramic finish on it. Any water, dew, whatever sits like beads all over the flat surfaces. My finish still looks fantastic. They did recommend doing this every 18 months. I may bring have it done again. The fellow will do it here t my house in the garage since the big work was all done. That over-spray was even on my glass.

 

[Gipraw]

Yes, When I bought my truck and I brought it to a local paint correction specialist they took my hand and moved it all over the truck. It felt prickly. They told me that that was called overspray. When I got my truck back all the "over spray" was gone. They used clay bars, they are so small. They look more like silly-putty. They also put a ceramic finish on it. Any water, dew, whatever sits like beads all over the flat surfaces. My finish still looks fantastic. They did recommend doing this every 18 months. I may bring have it done again. The fellow will do it here t my house in the garage since the big work was all done. That over-spray was even on my glass.

If it was a new truck, then it was most likely rail dust, not overspray.


Clay bar is used to remove surface contamination from the paint. Rail dust, pollution, overspray, tree sap, tar, etc. It is a step that should be taken anytime you are correcting defects in the paint, or applying a long lasting sealant or coating.
you can apply a decent ceramics coating in your garage simply by washing, claying, and wiping down the paint. No need to buff or polish if you are happy with how your paints looks with regards to scratches/swirls/damage. Anyone with DIY skills can claybar. I’m always happy to answer questions if anyone has any.

 

[cervelo15]

If it was a new truck, then it was most likely rail dust, not overspray.


Clay bar is used to remove surface contamination from the paint. Rail dust, pollution, overspray, tree sap, tar, etc. It is a step that should be taken anytime you are correcting defects in the paint, or applying a long lasting sealant or coating.
you can apply a decent ceramics coating in your garage simply by washing, claying, and wiping down the paint. No need to buff or polish if you are happy with how your paints looks with regards to scratches/swirls/damage. Anyone with DIY skills can claybar. I’m always happy to answer questions if anyone has any.

I did have overspray on my brand new truck, found it 2 days after bringing it home. My theory is If you ever travelled along rail lines with auto carrier train cars stopped on it, take notice to whats tagged on the rail cars. Tons on spray painted tags and that paint gets thru the perferations on the side of the rail car, ultimately adding overspray onto the cars inside. There’s a several mile strech on 95 south between Philadelphia and Wilmington that I travel and almost all car carrier train cars have spray paint on them. I had black and silver overspray on my driver side quarter panel, wheel, wheel well and driver side bumper. Was a b*tch to get off, but with some clay bar it worked.

 

[BowDown]

Right on. If I owned a Porsche or maybe a Hellcat I might be more particular washing it. That and I generally trade vehicles every three years. Never once have I been gigged at trade time in time due to finish issues.
In no way am I ragging on you guys who like to keep your trucks pristine. Whatever floats your boat.

What's the difference between a $70,000 hellcat and a $70,000 Ram?

 

[mmcbeat]

What's the difference between a $70,000 hellcat and a $70,000 Ram?

Good point. First, I don’t own a $70,000 Ram and if I could order my dream Hellcat it would be closer to $100,000. I take very good care of my truck but I drive it in all kinds of weather, don’t avoid unimproved roads, etc. I wouldn’t haul mulch or grass sod in a Hellcat but would in my Ram.

 

[BowDown]

Good point. First, I don’t own a $70,000 Ram and if I could order my dream Hellcat it would be closer to $100,000. I take very good care of my truck but I drive it in all kinds of weather, don’t avoid unimproved roads, etc. I wouldn’t haul mulch or grass sod in a Hellcat but would in my Ram.

To different vehicles for two different purposes.
I drive my truck in all weather but I'm still going to take the best care of it I can so it lasts and also looks nice.

I wouldn't drive a Limited in places I'd drive a big horn that cost almost half as much, btw, I've hauled mulch in my Z06 but the examples given seem to have been based off a perceived value so a 70k hellcat should be no different than a 70k ram

 

[vincentw56]

To different vehicles for two different purposes.
I drive my truck in all weather but I'm still going to take the best care of it I can so it lasts and also looks nice.

I wouldn't drive a Limited in places I'd drive a big horn that cost almost half as much, btw, I've hauled mulch in my Z06 but the examples given seem to have been based off a perceived value so a 70k hellcat should be no different than a 70k ram

How the heck did you find a Big Horn that was $35,000? Mine was $59,000 MSRP.

 

[BowDown]

How the heck did you find a Big Horn that was $35,000? Mine was $59,000 MSRP.

59 k for a bighorn? I paid 54 for my Level 1 Limited.
There's been people on this forum that have bought bighorns for 38 to 42k (look at the msrp thread), that's significantly less than 70k

 

[vincentw56]

59 k for a bighorn? I paid 54 for my Level 1 Limited.
There's been people on this forum that have bought bighorns for 38 to 42k (look at the msrp thread), that's significantly less than 70k

But, he said a $70,000 truck. Half of that is $35,000. Not 38 to 42. My BH was fully loaded too. If it wasn't, I could have gotten it for 38 to 42 after discounts. I didn't pay MSRP, but I figured he was quoting MSRP.

Any way, I'm not going to high jack this tread for pricing.

 

[BowDown]

But, he said a $70,000 truck. Half of that is $35,000. Not 38 to 42. My BH was fully loaded too. If it wasn't, I could have gotten it for 38 to 42 after discounts. I didn't pay MSRP, but I figured he was quoting MSRP.

Any way, I'm not going to high jack this tread for pricing.

Re-read, I said almost half.
Regardless, why wouldn't you take care of the truck as best you could?

 

[JoeCo]

Car washes are just a way of life up in the salt/rust belt. When it's -30 to 20 degrees for 6-7 months straight, you're not going to want to do anything other than run it threw the car wash. And if ya do want to hand wash it through winter or have a good enough setup to do so, more power to you. Most people don't have that kind of setup and won't be willing to risk hypothermia to wash their cars on their own (and don't forget to completely clean the underside too!)...That leaves us with two options, don't wash your car until it's warm again (and the vehicle is already rusting), or car washes. Plenty of people up here choose the first option, and it's always clear as day to see who goes this route.

That being said I would never run my car through one, but my car is just a summer car that we hand wash for a couple of reasons. My truck being a daily driver year round, I'll keep it rust free body and underside by going through the car washes. At trade in time, rust everywhere is much worse than a few scratches. Even in a different climate I would still use auto washes for my dd, I'd love to have the time to hand wash it myself but I can barely find time to clean my summer car 2-3 times a year anymore.

 

[MileHi Guy]

I have a subscription for my three vehicles at Mister Car Wash. They are all over the country in many cities. My truck always looks pristine. I can go every day and multiple times a day too. They use large strips of blue felt to clean, nothing that will scratch. At the onset they will spray some bug remover on the complete front end. My package includes the underbelly and wheel wells, the tires come out as if I used Adams Tire Shine every time. Afterwards I can use the vacuum and towel the inside of the window vent visors as well as the door jams. The day I found this place was the day I stopped breaking my back. I love this place.

Location

mistercarwash.com

I was laid off from Mister's largest competitor in May of 2020 because of the pandemic. I'm doing great this year but not so hot last year. The car washes can be rough on your vehicle's paint job for sure. I've seen the issues first-hand.

Having said all that this thread has some great info on washing your vehicle yourself... which is why I initially looked at. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Bluesurf]

I was laid off from Mister's largest competitor in May of 2020 because of the pandemic. I'm doing great this year but not so hot last year. The car washes can be rough on your vehicle's paint job for sure. I've seen the issues first-hand.

Having said all that this thread has some great info on washing your vehicle yourself... which is why I initially looked at. Thanks for everyone's input.

This Fall I'll have the ceramic coating redone on my truck. I can't get it all in my garage, so I'll do what I can to protect the paint. Water just beads up and rolls off on my truck. My Guy used to manage several Kwik Kar Centers.

 

[Mountain Whiskey]

I hit a local carwash as often as I can with an unlimited membership. It closes at 6:30 so I can't always make it. The amazing part is, it still has paint. Crazy, right?