Car wash on rails or 100% hand wash only?

[paula]

Is it fine to take the LR3 to a regular car wash where they attach it to the rails for the automated wash and then wipe it up? Would it damage the wheels? Or shall I go for a 100% hand wash?

My wheels are dirty. A storm is supposed to be coming every day now in LA but nothing yet.

 

[Houm_WA]

Neither.

 

[bbyer]

the 3 is too delicate for the urban jungle

I only wash my 3 myself, mostly in a wand wash, and in the summer with a rag and water hose - which works the best.

I am even afraid of the spray only type of car wash where a water spray framework moves over the 3 while one sits parked in the 3.

Just too much can go wrong - the glass roof getting beat up by the front wipers that were ripped off because one forgot that the rain sensor circuit was active; the rear wiper also beating out the rear glass; water being forced into the tranny computer or water dumping into the HVAC hole, and the list goes on.

For being a go anywhere type of vehicle, that does not seem to include an automatic car wash; I guess it likes the wilds; the urban jungles are just too tough for it.

 

[roverman]

I use,one on occasion, never had a problem. Doesn't do as good of a job as I would by hand. Mainly I will do it in the winter when I want to wash the salt off the undercarriage. Like BByer said, check your wipers!

 

[Houm_WA]

I've used a coin-up powerwash for roverman's purpose. I always wash mine by hand, myself. No one else touches it! I use Zaino products and it takes me hours to do a basic wash/polish.

Sounds over-the-top, I know....but oh if you saw my paint (and touched it) afterwards.

It's all worth it.

 

[Mx468]

Touchless...

The touchless ones are okay for a quick wash, I usually will bring a chamois or towel with me and dry it off as soon as it comes out of the car wash. When I want it to be washed thoroughly I'll wash it at home with my power washer or get a professional detail inside and out. Here's a pic of my LR3 after my first professional detail.

 

[Houm_WA]

Looks great!

Here's mine after a personal detail.

 

[Mx468]

Looks great Houm!!! And yours is free minus the products. I get my details for free with trade for advertising in a local magazine I publish. On a another note, what kind of rock sliders do you have?

 

[BearishDriver]

I take mine to the car wash on rails 90% of the time no problem at all really...

 

[Houm_WA]

Thanks Mx. Yeah free minus product and price of beer...and I really enjoy doing it. Those are Rover Specialties rock sliders. I think that photo was from back in early March, when I still had my stock-sized Nokians on.