Car Wash and OEM Antenna

[Deleted member 24880]

Here is a reason to replace that huge OEM whip antenna ASAP. Took the glady through a local car wash today. This car wash is a very well known multi-state company not just a small mom and pop wash. Anyhow about 30 seconds into the wash something smacked the windshield like a stone on the highway. Scared the crap out of my son and I. Once we exited the wash something told me to get out and look. Sure enough just above the passenger’s windshield there are 2 scratches. Now they are not huge or really that big of a deal (it is a Jeep and all) but if I’m going to scratch it up I want to have a good story tell. So the manager came out with me to look at it and opened an incident report on it. He couldn’t have been more apologetic or nicer about it. Check out the picks, you can clearly see the “twist” in the antenna was the culprit. It will be getting replaced with a shorter antenna very soon. Just a warning for everyone still running that OEM antenna.

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[Koja]

I'v all ways removed mine before going through, i carry a 4" metric speed wrench just for it in glove box

 

[Bulldog]

A little late, but try one of these I have them on both my JLU and JT. https://www.quadratec.com/p/rugged-ridge/elite-antenna-base-6-reflex-antenna-jeep-wrangler-jk

 

[Mr._Bill]

The first thing I did was replace the factory antenna with a stubby unit. I ordered it when I bought the truck, and installed it the day I brought it home.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I guess this pic may be supporting my decision to not use such a car wash.
I've seen what some guys have used for antenna and believe I will eventually replace mine just because - I don't need a big antenna sticking up and my Chevy truck I hated hearing that thing brush the trees as I drove through our yard. I like the looks of some of the shorter black antennas out there.

Too bad there aren't bears in Indiana or you could at least make up a fun story. (or are there??)

 

[Deleted member 24880]

A little late, but try one of these I have them on both my JLU and JT. https://www.quadratec.com/p/rugged-ridge/elite-antenna-base-6-reflex-antenna-jeep-wrangler-jk

Pretty good chance that is what I will be replacing it with soon.

 

[futzin']

Notwithstanding the car wash issue (that sucks, btw), I personally prefer the retro look of the OEM one. I've heard the stubby sacrifices a bit in reception, too.

 

[Gatorized]

I tried the 13 in Rydonair and was not impressed. I went back to the stock antenna. I like listening to the radio.
@BryanG Was that a car wash with brushes or a touchless car Wash?
Maybe just put a vacuum hose over the antenna to prevent the metal to metal contact (if it could fit over the ball at the top). Heat shrink tubing maybe?

 

[hawk14414]

I've tried the stubby antenna on previous vehicles, and I have not had good results. They work OK in metro areas, but in Maine...and in particular northern Maine, reception on am/fm is not good. If someone has found a stubby with the same reception performance as stock, I'd love to hear about it.

 

[Gatorized]

I've tried the stubby antenna on previous vehicles, and I have not had good results. They work OK in metro areas, but in Maine...and in particular northern Maine, reception on am/fm is not good. If someone has found a stubby with the same reception performance as stock, I'd love to hear about it.

What he said…!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I don't listen to radio all that much - but my wife - well, I'd have to keep the stock antenna handy for any long trips if she was with me.

 

[Deleted member 24880]

I tried the 13 in Rydonair and was not impressed. I went back to the stock antenna. I like listening to the radio.
@BryanG Was that a car wash with brushes or a touchless car Wash?
Maybe just put a vacuum hose over the antenna to prevent the metal to metal contact (if it could fit over the ball at the top). Heat shrink tubing maybe?

It was one with all the spinning brushes and mop looking cleaners. They just called me and told me they looked into it (video I’m sure) and will take care of the cost to repair it. I have to take it to whatever body shop I prefer and get them a quote so they can handle it. It sucks but they are not really bad scratches and the company has been great so far. Hope they stay that way!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Love a happy ending. Sounds like just paint work, no body work at all. Good.

 

[Gatorized]

It was one with all the spinning brushes and mop looking cleaners. They just called me and told me they looked into it (video I’m sure) and will take care of the cost to repair it. I have to take it to whatever body shop I prefer and get them a quote so they can handle it. It sucks but they are not really bad scratches and the company has been great so far. Hope they stay that way!

May just need a buffing to clean up the clear coat. I stay away from those car washes - you never know what went in before you and the grease and grime that has contaminated those brushes...

 

[ShadowsPapa]

May just need a buffing to clean up the clear coat. I stay away from those car washes - you never know what went in before you and the grease and grime that has contaminated those brushes...

I don't want to diss or slam a small business, but along with or plus what you mentioned - I recall when I was a tech leaning over the fenders of all types of cars - and at least twice found interesting "patterns" in the finish on a couple of cars. Both times when I asked - they said "car wash", and one guy I recall said he ran it through every two weeks or something along those lines.
They used the automatic non-touchless.
The contact of the brushes or 'mop heads' with embedded dust and dirt did it.
For a couple of years I did part time maintenance at a car wash - I prefer doing the rinse myself after seeing what the chemicals and soaps did to the steel and brass in the equipment room. I spend a lot of time rinsing, maybe more than washing.

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