Touchless Car Wash

[MovinH2]

Anyone use them. We have one at the local BP that we usually use, but I'm a little nervous taking the H2 through it. Will it even fit? If so has anyone tried it? I'm a little nervous it will do some damage or hurt the paint. I usually do it by hand, but it's a heck of a job cleaning one of these big boys.

[dochummer]

I've never run it through the smaller auto car washes...I usually take it to the ones where they'll dry it for you too. Never had a problem with them. In fact, what's sad is they tell me I'm the only Hummer they've ever seen dirty. Most come in clean to be cleaned again...

[Fubar]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MovinH2:
Anyone use them. We have one at the local BP that we usually use, but I'm a little nervous taking the H2 through it. Will it even fit? If so has anyone tried it? I'm a little nervous it will do some damage or hurt the paint. I usually do it by hand, but it's a heck of a job cleaning one of these big boys. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Used them daily when I was in Moab...Can't find one here locally. Just check the height indication before you enter. Some are lower than others and remember to take off or lower any CB antenna that might be up there. The cross bars for the water sprayer and the sensor device will knock them off of down as they move arround the truck.

[LoLo]

I run mine through all the time... only problem was when it ripped off my front license plate! Even though they are required in Texas, as a result of this problem mine now resides INSIDE the truck!

I still have no idea HOW it pulled it off, although the screws were tilted toward the center of the plate -- strange!

[CslRkH2]

I agree with VT, if there is any road grime or dirt those touchless car washes don't get it very clean.

I traded in a '01 black Sierra in July that had 98k miles on it. The dealer could not believe how good the paint looked, and my trade-in value reflected it. I've found that hand washing and regular (every month or so) hand waxing with Zymol works wonders.

[H2Finally]

I've got a power washer, a leaf blower (for drying), Mr.Clean's auto wash system, McGuire's this, Mother's that... the works

But the easiest wash I find is to use them 25cents wash places. The trick is to find one near a mall with underground parking that's tall enough for your H2.

The power washer setting is MUCH stronger, the foaming brush is really great at cleaning (tip: use the jet to "rinse" the brush first, in case the brush has debris from previous user), and the one I go to even has a seperate tire/wheel cleaning brush. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, they have SPOTLESS RINSE setting!!

I spent majority of my coins on this setting (a good 5 minutes soaking top to bottom ), then drive to the mall, shop a little, check out the latest 'Truckin issue, have lunch, and come back to a clean, spotless H2...

Good luck!

[AmericanPatriot]

I only use Touchless Wash. Lots of people say it's bad for the paint, the only thing I could see bad is that "hot wax" but the Car wash I go to doesn't have it.

[MovinH2]

Thanks all. The owner of the BP said he's never seen a H2 try to go through it. He said my mirrors would have to come in cause his is such a tight fit. It just had me worried. I don't want anything to happen to it. I'll give it a try when I'm really dirty and let ya know.

[sharon]

been through many times no problem. dont even have to fold the mirrors in

[MovinH2]

Anyone use them. We have one at the local BP that we usually use, but I'm a little nervous taking the H2 through it. Will it even fit? If so has anyone tried it? I'm a little nervous it will do some damage or hurt the paint. I usually do it by hand, but it's a heck of a job cleaning one of these big boys.

[Marcmedic]

Ken, if you wan't, you can stop by Taco Bell and maybe I can hook you up with a burrito for your trouble. I just have to make sure I'm in the drive thru that day.

[Marcmedic]

You mean you guys don't get to wash yours at work and get paid for it?

[ckhagman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MovinH2:
Thanks all. The owner of the BP said he's never seen a H2 try to go through it. He said my mirrors would have to come in cause his is such a tight fit. It just had me worried. I don't want anything to happen to it. I'll give it a try when I'm really dirty and let ya know. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What brand car wash is it. Not BP but the equipment brand or trade mark. I sell car washes. Most can fit it, although some do not. I have taken my H1 through a touchless before. Never again will I do it unless I turn my engine off while it is doing its thing. Its a diesel thing you wouldn't understand. See even use Hummer guys can make a joke about that stupid jeep slogan. I've got others.

[Fubar]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Efrain:
I always wash mine by hand; it takes me about two hours. also, I don't use any soap unless there's squashed bugs, especially on the grill and windshield. I would never take it no ANY car wash! Eventually the soap they use will affect the car paint. Although if you trade in your car each year, that shouldn't be a concern than. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Eventually the soap they use will affect the car paint.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Where in the HELL is that statement coming from?

Having owned and operated an auto detailing biz for many years in CA I can assure you that the soap the car washes use will in NO way harm the paint or anyone who comes in contact with it.

In CA and I elsewhere there are "hand car washes" places where a couple of guys are in the tunnel with there hands in the soap washing your truck as it passes by. Do you really believe that if the soap was harmful these washers would be allowed to standing in it and working with it 8 hours a day?
Most of the soap used in the auto wash industry comes from one or two places in the country and is simply branded for various companies use. In most cases it is the same stuff that you can purchase over the counter at your local auto parts house, it just comes in 50 gallon barrels to the car washes instead of a few oz's to the end consumer in stores.
You're truck is in much greater danger of getting its paint damaged by those twirling brush things or the dangling cloth's that trap dirt and other crap as they drag off extra water before the truck goes to the blowers at the end. The cotton towels you're using to dry your truck in the driveway are causing more damage to the paint (swril marks from the drying effort) then the soap ever will.

[timgco]

I've never done this in the HUMMER. I thought it blew off your Marker lights or something.

[VTSTOMPER]

I only do it myself as well. I will run mine though in the winter from time to time...but its finish is 90%.

I have also heard that the "hot wax" they use is bad for clear coat.

[MovinH2]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ckhagman:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MovinH2:
Thanks all. The owner of the BP said he's never seen a H2 try to go through it. He said my mirrors would have to come in cause his is such a tight fit. It just had me worried. I don't want anything to happen to it. I'll give it a try when I'm really dirty and let ya know. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What brand car wash is it. Not BP but the equipment brand or trade mark. I sell car washes. Most can fit it, although some do not. I have taken my H1 through a touchless before. Never again will I do it unless I turn my engine off while it is doing its thing. Its a diesel thing you wouldn't understand. See even use Hummer guys can make a joke about that stupid jeep slogan. I've got others. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Not sure bro,
If I get a chance to go by there tomorrow and look I will. When I go in though in my other cars, I never really see a name. I might have to ask the owner that next time I see him about that.

[H2NY]

I tried to go through a local manned wash last week and they said it wouldnt fit because theres was older but the newer washes should it just fine and they did.

[MovinH2]

Tried it today and nothing bad happened. But it did have a hard time getting off all the soap. The owner said it's probably because the jets weren't hitting the full surface of the H2 because of it's huge size. So I guess it's back to hand washing.

[Efrain]

I always wash mine by hand; it takes me about two hours. also, I don't use any soap unless there's squashed bugs, especially on the grill and windshield. I would never take it no ANY car wash! Eventually the soap they use will affect the car paint. Although if you trade in your car each year, that shouldn't be a concern than.