I’ve got a 2005 mk3 NC is it ok to take it through a car wash? the roof is in good condition thanks
NO NO NO. !!!
Why would you even contemplate doing that?
I wouldn’t even think about taking mine to the Polish guys for a £5 hand car scratch!
I can’t believe you asked that question.
Joke question, right!
I agree with the comments here, the best way to add scratches to a car is by taking it through a car wash and I consider myself an amateur detailler so my never gets washed or polished by anyone other than myself… but I do believe it his decision to decide how he wants it cleaning. so can someone with a soft top please answer whether its actually okay to use a car wash. I have a Retractable hard top so am not much use.
No. It’s never OK to take ANY car through a car wash. Unless you simply don’t care.
^^^ This
I care, I’m doing mine today, wash mitt, some gentle shampoo and microfibre cloth to dry.
No, the best way to add scratches is to do it yourself, using washing up liquid (“because its soap innit?”), and the rags from the sink, that have been stuffed behind the drainpipe down the side alley, using the manky bucket you found in the shed. This is all caused by a determination not to hand over £5 to the attended wash down the road. The worst ones are the ones attended by the local lads. They miss bits, because they’re lazy. The best I’ve found is an Albanian wash, they’ve gotten the wives on QC, and its ferocious process. Being Albanian/Kosovan, they do like their coffee, and have a nice setup in their shed with a proper espresso machine, and Argos leather sofas to lounge on.
The OP doesn’t expressly specify if they are PRHT or not. I suspect they have a canvas top; I wouldn’t because of an illogical fear that the microprocessor-controlled pressure sensors on the bushes will fail, and drown me. If PRHT, no issues; I used to take a Focus CC through these, with no scratches. But these folding metal roofs don’t have the greatest seals, so you might find some water dripping through.
■■■ the thought of that washing technique brought a tear to my eye.
I have to agree though I have seen some people wash there cars with some horrible looking kit. And dirt chamois leathers that have more grit in than you get at a beach
But Id probs suggest a hand car wash if you really cant get a wash mitt, two bucket washing method and ideally a prerinse before washing.
If you love the motor and don’t want to clean it google search your nearest detailer or valet to have a look at it.
Well, this was the way everyone’s Grandad did it.
Not everyone is a person of leisure, and not everyone who can’t afford a detailer (glorified mobile car wash) doesn’t love their car. We love them in different ways. I love to dirve mine, rather than wasting time washing the thing.
And when I do wash them myself, each cloth only gets used once. After that, its consigned to the muck jobs. Reusing a wash mitt? Can you guarantee it is grit free. And do you throw it away if it falls on the ground.
you’ve taken that out of context mate. Im trying to suggest alternatives for the for the exact reason they might not have chance to wash it themselves. and no you dont have to pay a detailler (I Never have). I tried to suggest alternatives due to a forum newbie getting told he should do it himself. This is not in keeping with the friendly forum I know so far.
My other post (#3) assumed the OP meant one of the fully automated ones where I have seen mal-adjusted machinery wreck a car! But at the same time I personally wouldn’t and don’t use hand wash operations either, when the car is washed, infrequently, I do it myself “Gradad” style.
We forgot to suggest garage jet wash. Works ok for a NA as long as you don’t direct the lance at the seals, and you haven’t had green laning cretins use it before you, and fail to clean up after themselves. But my local BP charges £8 for 10 minutes, so attended handwash is always a better deal, except that I’d like to get into the wheelarches.
I had a Karcher once. Complete junk. After 6 months, the valves had seized up, and it was scrap.
But hopefully not with Fairy liquid and dish rags.
No, No Saz! Proper car washing materials!
This had to be a wind up, surely?
^^I was thinking that^^
It’s certainly gets the discussion going, me as I say above and the wash mitt gets washed with the microfibre after each use.
I don’t go for all this roses smelling shampoo, it’s something described as if you are going to lather it over a baby’s backside, it’s only a car. I don’t use Fairy liquid either, Aldi wash up liquid for me.
That last comment was a joke BTW, I use Autoglym stuff.
The only car wash I use is the wife and even then I watch every move just in case she misses a bit…
John
Perhaps not Nick.
I watched an NC ( new) a few years back just about to go into what may be best described a s a"vigourous" auto-wash much loved ny our local taxi fraternity.
You could tell the thing was brand new.
I was doing the Mk1 at the jet wash bit…but I’m always careful.
I stopped what I was doing and ran over sayomg pretty much…it ain;t a good idea.
He shrugged and said he could care less…it was a loan vehicle.
And then it happened…the brushes thump down on the fabric roof hard enough to displace the roof rail seal which I don’t think he had clamped down fully…at any rate…he panics, reverses just at the wrong moment…the result being near side mirror destroyed and one soaked interior.
Anyhow, I was finished…so I gave him the finger and drove off.
Oh…did I say mechanical washes & 5s are not a happy marriage?