PRHT through a car wash?

Technical Area Body, Interior & Styling
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Has anyone taken an NC PRHT through a car wash? Or is it a clearly daft idea on my part!

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Daft on any level. Irrespective of what car you’re driving.

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“Or is it a clearly daft idea on my part!”

Yes.

You asked.:crazy_face:

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Which program grade would Sir prefer?
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:joy:. Yeah I did ask. Deep down I knew it was daft.

Was always taught “no such thing as a stupid question” though. Perhaps this is the exception that proves the rule :joy:

Thanks

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Our local car wash does give you a choice of finish……!!

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Ok if you can find a touchless one. Also great for discovering any leaks.

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There’s always the Romanian/Lithuanian type Scratch & Go outlets. They’re great !! :face_with_peeking_eye:

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Modern automotive paint is not as hard-wearing as the cellulose concoctions used on what is now termed ‘classic cars’, so mechanical car-washing plants are now frowned upon because of their excessively-abrasive nature.

OK, so if you only intend to keep a car for two or three years, it might not matter to you very much - a bit like skimping on the after-market underbody protection (because precious little of this is done at the factory). It’s really only subsequent owners that are the ones likely to benefit from the original owners careful cossetting in this respect.

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In addition to never do that and clean the car yourself use the two buckets method (one to rinse the wash mats and one to apply clean soapy water onto the car)

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Any form of cleaning is abrasive, a modern well maintained automatic converyor wash would be fine to use. Handwashing is as likely to damage the paint work as much as a mechanical wash. This is based on a 30 year career in the carwashing business, I used to put my cars through 3 or 4 times a day, 4 days a week, with SRP polish every six months. At the end of 3 years and a 100,000 miles the paintwork use to be fine.

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Kind of why I asked the question as my 11 year old Mazda 6 comes out fine. Whereas my hand-washing technique may be sadly lacking as my 12 year old MX 5 has a fair few swirls etc.
Maybe I’ll get a professional to have a look come the spring.
Cheers

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Bear in mind Mazda MX-5 paint is the thinnest softest paint in the universe ! :woozy_face:

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Maybe we should all book in for a respray !

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Seriously? Respect your car mate, get yourself a decent cleaning kit, and diy, it’s all a part of owning and cherishing your 5, and yep daft question :grin:.