Car Wash and your van......

[Mr. Flibble]

I just did a big road trip in my L400 and Starbug needs a wash. Normally I use a pressure washing stall, but none are at hand at the moment.

There is a standard drive-through wash near where I am, but I read somewhere that these break off the rear back-uo mirror, and that you must remove it before driving into a car wash.

Is this true?

Are there other things I should be mindful of?

[FalcoColumbarius]

Not sure about the L400 but would definitely not send an L300 through. How about the garden hose, a bucket and elbow grease? It's cheaper for one. Do not use washing up liquid, use a non-detergent wash. Dish soap strips your wax.

Falco.

[Mr. Flibble]

Sadly hose and bucket are not an option to me at the moment. :(

Wax won't be a problem as there is not any on Starbug at the moment!!!

[Mbryant]

I went through one with my L300 after carefully checking as I went through the yellow height marker which was just a fit. Something scrubbed on the roof at the rear just as it finished, no damage visible though. My mirror stayed on but I had not heard of them breaking off, I was considering going to one again to rinse off the salt from the frame but I was going to look for one with more clearance. Not sure now though, don't want my mirror breaking off.

[FalcoColumbarius]

The touchless car washes are good for removing salt as far as spraying goes. I tried one out once but it left a very thin film of dirt all over the wagon. Ultimately I think hand wash is the way to go, plus you get exercise.

Falco.

[konadog]

People put wax on cars...

[deli1733]

The car wash broke the antenna off my pajero. They're expensive too, i wouldnt do it.

[FalcoColumbarius]

People put wax on cars...

Some people.... apparently the elite few......

[konadog]

I was just visiting our friends Downunder and ran across this tale of car wash woe. Poor guy, his bus really got abused
http://www.delicaclub.com/viewtopic.php?p=269145#269145

[jessef]

The plastic trim that runs along the whole rainguter on the L400's is 99.9% likely to get ripped off if you take it in a car wash. Ask me how I know.

[Mr. Pistachio]

Got Mr. Pistachio twice at the Husky car wash on 4th and MacDonald, and he still doing fine. No broken mirror or plastic. But he barely fits in. Like 1/2 inch clearance!

[CV-25]

Unfortunately agitation is needed for a good clean but take your own brush to the car wash, never have seen a good one at the car wash.
Touchless will strip the wax as well. If you believe in wax that is.....

From the land of salt and gravel...

[naterade]

I've been taking mine to the Co-op touchless carwash since September, no issues whatsoever

I pay for the premium wash, which includes wax and clearcoat treatment, and haven't noticed any residue

It doesn't do a spectacular job, but it does the job well enough.

Now if only the lineup to get in wasn't 10 cars long every time I've been there in the last week, I might get a clean van...

[phree]

some guy i know here over on salty broke hise rear mirror of over in vic at a touchless and i our pressure washer ports over here i found left an odd film on my ship so i wasted 4 dollers but for sure hands a hose and bucket a few rags and wet t shirts are the way to go, I find i pay more attention to detail this way

[CV-25]

wet t shirts are the way to go, I find i pay more attention to detail this way

can't argue with that