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Automatic car wash

J

just James

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Took my truck through a "drive through" car wash one time. The sound inside the truck was BAD! It sounded like every bit of the paint was being flailed off. I was actually amazed that there didn't seem to be any damage.
Do any of you use those types of washes on a regular basis?
 
just James said:
Took my truck through a "drive through" car wash one time. The sound inside the truck was BAD! It sounded like every bit of the paint was being flailed off. I was actually amazed that there didn't seem to be any damage.
Do any of you use those types of washes on a regular basis?
Click to expand...
Yup, every day it’s not raining or snowing since February of 2017 for my 2017 ram. The hood and roof bounce around like a trampoline through the blow driers, but all good after at least 1300 washes.
 
Only the touchless but yes, regularly in the winter to remove the salt and crap.
 
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Yes, but only the touchless. One near the house has 7' clearance....just enough. Use it in the winter to keep some of the crap knocked off.
 
If i could find one to fit the length of my truck i would but none around fit my CCLB
 
Jimmy07 said:
Yup, every day it’s not raining or snowing since February of 2017 for my 2017 ram. The hood and roof bounce around like a trampoline through the blow driers, but all good after at least 1300 washes.
Click to expand...
Do you own a car wash? I can't think of a single thing I've done at least 1300 times in five years. That's quite the commitment.
 
just James said:
Took my truck through a "drive through" car wash one time. The sound inside the truck was BAD! It sounded like every bit of the paint was being flailed off. I was actually amazed that there didn't seem to be any damage.
Do any of you use those types of washes on a regular basis?
Click to expand...
Yes. The 'brushes' on them are flat and they have a tendency to slap against the body making them sound much worse than they are. The only issue I have ever had in one was I forgot to remove my hitch and one of the straps got caught on the ball and pulled the brush into the truck (no damage) before pulling the strap from the brush leaving it attached to the ball. On trucks with antennas the brushes will usually work them over pretty good too.
 
I exclusively use automated washes. Been doing so for over 30 years. No issues, leaks or heavy damage. I always use a reputable place. My vehicles work, I'm not driving a show car and I don't have time to wash these beasts by hand. My local car wash has a $39 per month unlimited Ultimate wash membership, includes two people hand drying with a terry towel. I could wash it every day, $39 a month. Are they happy to see my 3500 slide out of the wash? Not so much.

I do tip my hat to those whom hand wash, dry and polish. The diligence and physicality to wash these monsters by hand is impressive.
 
Very tough to find one around here where the wait is less than 1hr. Most seem to be Holiday gas station washes and they offer the 35$ per month, unlimited washes.
Its pretty annoying.
 
Automated wash when I go to the city, 65 miles to the south or 85 to the north. Well worth the 11 dollar fee. If I lived closer I'd do the monthly unlimited. Once in a great while I'll do a hand wash at home.
 
mcarey said:
Do you own a car wash? I can't think of a single thing I've done at least 1300 times in five years. That's quite the commitment.
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Nope, unlimited membership, it’s pretty common. The car wash is 3 blocks from my house, and on the way home from work.
 
Yes, until I got my dually, now I don't fit in any of our car washes. Hand wash for me now
 
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Jimmy07 said:
Nope, unlimited membership, it’s pretty common. The car wash is 3 blocks from my house, and on the way home from work.
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I've heard plenty of them, just never someone averaging 5+x a week. Like I said, I'm impressed by the commitment.

Do you work at a mine or something, or is it just a habit? I washed my truck a week or so ago and I'd say it's indistinguishable today from them. But I am garage kept and have only seen local dry roads since.
 
mcarey said:
I've heard plenty of them, just never someone averaging 5+x a week. Like I said, I'm impressed by the commitment.

Do you work at a mine or something, or is it just a habit? I washed my truck a week or so ago and I'd say it's indistinguishable today from them. But I am garage kept and have only seen local dry roads since.
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I don't daily my Ram but I too have unlimited membership which also saves 15-25 cents per gallon on fuel. I wpuld go a few times a week when I was not driving a company vehicle to and fro. We live in the salt belt and even on nice winter days our vehicles get $hitty from salt dust, melting snow runoff, etc. It sucks but it's home. Just visited AZ and was jealous of how vehicles stayed clean and beyond that....rust free!

Sent from my semi-smart telephonic device
 
whitexc said:
I don't daily my Ram but I too have unlimited membership which also saves 15-25 cents per gallon on fuel. I wpuld go a few times a week when I was not driving a company vehicle to and fro. We live in the salt belt and even on nice winter days our vehicles get $hitty from salt dust, melting snow runoff, etc. It sucks but it's home. Just visited AZ and was jealous of how vehicles stayed clean and beyond that....rust free!

Sent from my semi-smart telephonic device
Click to expand...
That fuel discount almost seems worth the membership alone!
 
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