Topic: Corvettes vs drive thru car washes?????
in Forum: C3 Car Care
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Lifetime MemberElma, WA - USA
Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 692
Vette(s): Red 1973 Convertible.
L-48 Auto
#'s matching
Red 1970 LT-1
Convertible
#'s matching
I would gather you now know where we stand on a machine car wash.
It would be kind of like giving your dog a haircut with a push mower.
Not a good idea.
I wash my car more than most but the key is those micro fiber towels and then keeping it clean. The California Duster just got added to my arsenal so that should help alot for dust.
Good luck, welcome to the site and hope ya stick around!
It would be kind of like giving your dog a haircut with a push mower.
Not a good idea.
I wash my car more than most but the key is those micro fiber towels and then keeping it clean. The California Duster just got added to my arsenal so that should help alot for dust.
Good luck, welcome to the site and hope ya stick around!
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I don't wash mine unless it's seen bad weather. I only take my pick-up to the car wash in the winter to get rid of the salt that gets everywhere on the truck, nicer weather I wash it myself. The Vette gets the same treatment that everyone else here uses.
DaveM 2009-02-01 12:48:06
Good luck with the Vette.
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
That's true - I can't remember the last time I washed the 76? I get the tires wet once in awhile to clean the white letters up, but other than that - just a duster and some spray detailer and it's good to go.
The 97 does get washed by hand a few times a year, but usually only after a road trip or it's just the duster and some spray.
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Knowing how fincky the T Top gaskets are, I wouldn't go near a car wash with the angles the water is pressurized at. I try to wash mine maybe once a year and use the Meguiars show spray wash in a bottle type stuff as needed...
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Hey MK,
First off, welcome!
You started a good thread here and I learned a few good things from it.
Myself included, I'd never, ever run mine through a car wash!
Mine is a "weeked warrior" which I drive for fun and attend a few events in.
I tend to wash it by hand alot. However, this spring I plan on giving it a good wash, a clay bar treatment and then some wax. Then I plan on keeping it clean with my (new for X-Mas) California Duster and some detail spray.
Let us know what you do.
Kevin
Lifetime MemberIrving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
........OMG......NO car wash!......
I hand wash mine, always. I'm quilty of washing a lot, but I drive both of them. It gets dusty in Texas. Come to think of it, it's wendy too! 
Welcome aboard here, Cowboy!
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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113
I have to admit, I have not washed my car in 4 years.
Okay, I confess, there was no paint on it until a couple of months ago, and it's not out of the shop yet.
When it is, I will do the same as above.
Like others I'm not a big fan of car wash units,...... but.....How often you wash and how you wash is really dependent on how you drive.
I did a frame off two years ago and it taught me a lot. One major point is that there is steel in a corvette..... Steel rust.....
Taking care of the paint is important ,but cleaning the mechanics is also important.
About two times a year I give the girl (Susie Q) a complete wash ( I drive her a lot ). I jack the car up and wash the underside. I get the creeper out and wash from front to back. I spent a lot of time repairing and painting. I want her running gear to stay working and looking pretty.
Handwash mine at home. No Carwash!!! But I also make sure I drive it afterwards, so the wind will blow the trapped water from the places that you can't dry like the frame and radiator support. Places like that will rust from trapped water
I do wash my car often and since i live in apt i have to go to car wash. I will admit I did used a drive thru once and lost a center hub to it...never again.
in Forum: C3 Car Care
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