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Car Wash

Yaz

New Member
Messages
1
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0
Points
1
Location
Chester, VA, USA
#1
Can I safely take my ST through an automated car wash, you stay in vehicle, or hand wash only?
 

Messages
133
Reactions
64
Points
27
Location
Grimsby, ON, Canada
#3
I invested in a ceramic coating. And, where I live we have a few options for touchless washes. These are great then, I dry with a detailing spray.
 

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,442
Reactions
699
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#4
touchless car washes for me. then hand wash every 2-3 months
 

Messages
352
Reactions
192
Points
37
Location
Ashburn, VA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#5
I take mine through a 'soft brush' (like large felt strips) car wash frequently, still looks brand new.
 

Messages
200
Reactions
83
Points
27
Location
Arden Hills, MN, USA
#6
Stay away from the whip and scratch type of carwash they will mess your ST up. Hand wash is best with touchless second.
 

Messages
451
Reactions
218
Points
37
Location
Davidson County, NC
Vehicle
2021 ST
#7
Friend had her black King Ranch messed up by a “normal” car wash.
 

Messages
300
Reactions
138
Points
37
Location
Socal
#8
If I cant wash it myself, I take mine to a touchless auto car wash. Doesn't do a great job at washing but it removes most of the dirt and bird droppings. For $7 quick wash, im not complaining and looks cleaner than it did before.
 

Messages
5
Reactions
2
Points
2
Location
Ontario
#9
There is a reason all detailing freaks will never use automated washed (touchless or not)

1. Ceramic will scratch the same as paint with prolonged car wash use. Trust me my wife proved that with our coated ST.
2. Touchless, do a crappy jib and use very harsh chemicals, whcihiwill strip any wax or protectants from your vehicle.

To each their own, but that is why I prefer to hand wash. In the winter I will use a self wash, but bring my own wash bucket and supplies.
 

Messages
300
Reactions
138
Points
37
Location
Socal
#10
I usually do a monthly or so of "ceramic" touch up with Turtle Wax Hybrid Spray products, so going to those crappy auto washes doesnt bother me. I prefer getting the dirt off and hurting the protectants which can be re-applied than driving a dusty car.
 

Messages
42
Reactions
28
Points
2
Location
Stratford, ON, Canada
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST Star White
#11
I use the local pressure washer with a hand wash mitt, then drive home around the corner to dry with a towel and apply the tutrle wax hybrid cermic, seems to beed good for a month or so before I do it again
 

CareerFiremanGuy

1000 Post Club
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
1,077
Reactions
779
Points
262
Location
USA
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#12
Those of us who live in cold climates do not have the option to always wash by hand.
 

Messages
315
Reactions
172
Points
37
Location
N. Florida
Vehicle
2020 ST
#13
Mechanical car washes worry me. In prep for a 2,500 mile road trip, I washed, waxed, Invisible Glass'd, Rain-X'd, and Torque detail ceramic-coated mine today.Vacuum and leather treatment tomorrow. Then it sits until Tuesday morning. The Mustang will be my errand-trotter this weekend.
 

DaveG ST

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
Messages
321
Reactions
125
Points
37
Location
Hurlock, MD, USA
#14
Those of us who live in cold climates do not have the option to always wash by hand.
I am there with you. Sometimes in the winter the water will freeze on the vehicle before I get a chance to dry it off, but I still hand wash throughout the winter.
 

CareerFiremanGuy

1000 Post Club
Firefighter/EMT
Messages
1,077
Reactions
779
Points
262
Location
USA
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#15
I am there with you. Sometimes in the winter the water will freeze on the vehicle before I get a chance to dry it off, but I still hand wash throughout the winter.
I'm 100% touchless car wash in the Winter. I have no other choice ...
 



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