To auto wash or not to auto wash...that is the question
Discuss To auto wash or not to auto wash...that is the question on AllFordMustangs.com, the place for Mustang enthusiasts.
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Me Option 4, pull it in the Garage, stoke up the wood stove and hand wash it with HOT water.
I do take it through the touch-less 3 or 4 times a winter for the underside spray off
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2013 Mustang V6 Manual Premium Mustang Club of America
Sterling Gray Metallic
Performance Package, Comfort Package, Security Package and Electronics Package
Lt zod i use a sealant called blackfire wet diamond. Its makes colors glossier? If that makes sence? I clay bared my car first on 3rd day of owning it wash,clay,dry then applied wet diamond like wax. Rub on rub off no need for it to glaze. Last time i washed my car b4 i stored it was in November and water still bead. Here is a link Google search a coupon from autogeek.net this year i might try something else. BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection, paint sealant, synthetic sealant, blackfire sealant
What's a paint sealant? Is it like a heavy duty wax that lasts much longer basically?
I'm hoping its not permanent though
Pretty much, sealants are just synthetic and last longer. But they eventually wear off also. Some people prefer the look of carnauba because it gives the paint a better glow. So they put a coat of sealant on first and then top it with thin layer of carnauba to get the best of both worlds.
I hate it when my daily driven Mustang is dirty, makes it look like I don't care. I do run it through our local Shell station's car wash occasionally, especially when my crazy work schedule doesn't allow me time to hand wash the car. That could be winter or summer.
I usually handwash the car once, sometimes twice a week, and invariably it will rain within hours of me accomplishing that task, go figure. If you are in the midst of a drought, give me a call; I just might be available to come wash my car in your town, rain will be guaranteed within 24 hours or your money back.
Any way, when that inevitably occurs, I usually will run it through the car wash real quick, and blade it dry when I get home (its less than a mile to my house). Add a quick session with Meguiar's spray wax and its all good-until my next day off when I can hand wash it again.
I haven't had any problems with the brushless washes. If I lived back up north again I wouldn't mind only using that method all winter. But since we have stretches of 60-70 degree weather during the winter here I can continue to hand wash it during the winter, for the most part.
SHELL "Touchless Car Wash" does a good job of getting the "crud" off without scratching the finish anytime it is over 35 degrees. When it gets above 60 degrees I put it through the "touchless car wash" and then "buff wax" it with Meguiars Ultimate liquid wax. Keeps it looking beautiful! It is my daily driver.
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2013 Mustang GT Premium Convertible
Candy Apple Red, Auto, FRPP Tune, GT500 Axlebacks, KONI Yellow Sport (adjustable dampers), FRPP Front and Rear swaybars, Custom Removable 4 Point Roll-Bar, FRPP BOSS 302 Low Expansion Brake Lines, DOT 4 Break Fluid, Hawk Ceramic Brake Pads, MGP caliper covers, Redline Tuning hood struts, Michelin Pilot Super Sports - 235X50X18
2011 Mustang V6 Premium Convertible - Gone
Pretty much, sealants are just synthetic and last longer. But they eventually wear off also. Some people prefer the look of carnauba because it gives the paint a better glow. So they put a coat of sealant on first and then top it with thin layer of carnauba to get the best of both worlds.
Good to know. I am really interested in it because handwaxing a car so many times is taking its toll on me. Any damaging effects of sealant? If I rewash my car...do I need to reapply the sealant or is it the kind of thing where a quick wash with the hose will do well while the sealant remains intact?
I've hand washed down to about 34 degrees. Hook the hose up to warm water in the utility sink and go for it. My wife's leased SUV goes through the car wash but never my vehicles.
It's garage kept but gets covered in concrete dust. Living in the middle of NYC it gets run through the wash to do a general cleaning and gets handwashed when the weather permits.
Good to know. I am really interested in it because handwaxing a car so many times is taking its toll on me. Any damaging effects of sealant? If I rewash my car...do I need to reapply the sealant or is it the kind of thing where a quick wash with the hose will do well while the sealant remains intact?
Check out Zaino Brothers products. I use there sealant(entire line really) and i wont ever switch to anything else. Great products.
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2011 V6 Convertible Kona Blue I Billet Grille
Ford Racing exhaust I Ford Racing M5300N Springs
Airaid CAI I Bama 91 Hybrid Tune
Koni STR.T Shocks
American Racing Bullit Chrome 18" Wheels
255/45/18 Pilot Sport A/S Plus
The temps were in the 50's and sunny here in Nashville Saturday so I thought this would be a good day to clean the dust off of mine and drive it. I am like a child and always look forward to driving it.
Needless to say 1 wash + 1 sunny day = one sick Mustang owner! If only the outdoor temperature were near my fever- 100 degrees. I would be okay with about 75% of it!
Oh, and I never use a carwash on black! I use the foam gun, grit guard and blow dry. I am sure any enthusiast with a black car appreciates the challenge of avoiding micro scratches. Ironically, apparently road debris have given me a couple of spots in the paint. I guess it's a car not work of art! Although some may argue that!
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2011 Mustang GT, Brembo Brakes, FRPP K Lowering Springs, Adjustable Panhard Bar, FRPP GT500 Axle Back Exhaust, 20x9 & 20x10.5 Gunmetal Forgestar F14 Wheels, 255/35/20 & 275/35/20 Toyo Proxes, Boss 302 Front Fascia/Splitter, Roush Rear Valance, Roush Qtr Window Louvers, GT500 Rear Spoiler.
I grew up outside of Detroit and when I lived up there, I used a DIY power wash ( quarter car wash back then). I would use the first quarter to hit the car and undersides with just water (to get most of the junk off and warm the metal), then soap and I used a sponge in one hand and the wand in the other, rinse again and then dry as fast as I could. I wouldn't even move it out of the bay to dry it. I usually didn't hold anyone up because they weren't as nuts as me. I did this nearly daily unless I was driving home in a snow storm. I still wash my vehicles nearly daily but no more cold or snow for me.
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2013 Roush RS3 - Black
2010 F150 Platinum - Black
1967 ChevyII/Nova Pro Street - tube chassis - 750+hp- black
Guys who have setups for hot water: not worried about all the minerals and crap in that water? Not that cold tap water is any better...
My hot water supply is from the same city tap water as the cold; the water here isn't known for being particularly hard. Not to mention that my house is only 8 years old so the pipes don't have any buildup.
At least it's better than some carwashes where you don't know the percentage of recycled water...
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"We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin
2012 Kona Blue Mustang GT
Black OTT Stripe | 400A | 5.0L | 6MT | 3.55 | HID | SP | CP | BBP | EP | RVC
Scheduled: 11/28/11 Built: 12/02/11
Original ETA: 12/5/11 
