Automated car wash issue

[SteveInOrlando]

I dont have this issue. I auto wash a couple times a week. Its love bug season

Yeah, during love bug season, twice a year, mine gets at least a weekly wash. Luv bug guts will eat through a clear coat pretty darn quick. My MIL learned that the hard way our first year down here. She has several spots on the front of her car where there is no clear coat over her basecoat due to luv bugs.

I do notice that the spray comes in under the doors and every once in a while through the freedom panel weather seals.

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[texanjeeper]

i always thought that the issue with automated car washes was when they used nylon brushes that beat against your car. I've not had the Gladiator in a wash yet, but the ones I use only have chamois strips that move left and right. I sure don't have any problem just using a wand though either.

 

[Cshadow2]

Luv bugs are no joke, Ive been running mine through my local Woodys about once a week, I get little squirts but it’s a convertible so it seems normal, it’s funny my Wife forgets and always Jumps its hilarious. But I’ve ever had any rolling issues.

 

[Ogre_FL]

Luv bugs are no joke, Ive been running mine through my local Woodys about once a week, I get little squirts but it’s a convertible so it seems normal, it’s funny my Wife forgets and always Jumps its hilarious. But I’ve ever had any rolling issues.

You do run a soft top through ?
Been afraid to do it, but lovebugs will soon be around here and I don't always have the time to hand wash.

 

[rr11]

I have only run mine through a car wash one time no issue. I hand wash mine every Saturday afternoon in love bug season.

 

[YoBub]

I have a monthly pass to a local wash, so I get my Gladiator washed 2-3 times a week. During the winter it was daily. No issues whatsoever.

 

[PanhandleChuck]

Perhaps a case of spacial disorientation. Often if both the vehicle and equipment are moving at the same time a person can misinterpret the moving parts. ??‍

 

[Radio Guy]

So there's always success stories - and there's always epic fail stories. Modern ones are far better, but I still won't for multiple reasons. Finish is one of them. Getting the dirt in some places is another.
So the local car wash of your friend is fine - not the ones I've seen around here. I still see ruined finishes from time to time.

This post right here is the bottom line, some specific car washes are known to damage cars and others will never harm a finish. Its silly to condemn all automatic car washes so why not just say this car wash on this street in this town is trouble and that car wash in that town is fine?

I know lots of people who use the three auto car washes in my town every week and nobody has ever heard of a problem. These automatic car washes are very modern and upgraded with new equipment every few years. If there was any history of damage in my town word would spread quickly and they would be involved in lawsuits and out of business.

 

[SwampNut]

You do run a soft top through ?
Been afraid to do it, but lovebugs will soon be around here and I don't always have the time to hand wash.

I've run convertible soft top cars through them and my Wrangler with a soft top, no problem. I've probably done over a thousand cars through automated washes of all kinds, touch and no touch, without an issue. It's just not a problem.

For OP, the type of pusher/conveyor may matter. Can you get a pic of the exact one? I've never had the jeep on the actual conveyor belt type, but have used plenty where there are push rollers and the tires are still turning.

 

[Sky Soldier]

I ALWAYS ask for hand wash. It costs a few bucks more, but my Firecracker Red Gladiator comes out sparkling.

 

[SwampNut]

The only time I've had a car damaged was in a hand wash. I think they guy probably dropped a towel or mitt or whatever then used it again. There was one huge scratch and a couple smaller ones near it. I trust machines way more than I trust minimum wage workers.

 

[BAT]

Hmm I thought I read in the manual or someplace to not run the softop through the automated carwashes. Wouldn't that void your warranty if you did and for some reason the car wash screwed things up

 

[SwampNut]

Wouldn't that void your warranty if you did and for some reason the car wash screwed things up

Yes, of course, any party damaging the vehicle would not be covered under warranty and they are liable. If you have any mechanic work on your vehicle and they screw it up, that's not under warranty. If the hand wash guy falls off the ladder onto the top, the warranty won't cover that.

"Void your warranty" is not true. Simply that one break wouldn't be covered.

 

[BAT]

Yes, of course, any party damaging the vehicle would not be covered under warranty and they are liable. If you have any mechanic work on your vehicle and they screw it up, that's not under warranty. If the hand wash guy falls off the ladder onto the top, the warranty won't cover that.

"Void your warranty" is not true. Simply that one break wouldn't be covered.

Yea meant that if the automated car wash screws up your top it won't be covered.

 

[SwampNut]

Yea meant that if the automated car wash screws up your top it won't be covered.

I meant that any third party damage to your vehicle is not covered. You know, exactly how I already said.

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