Washing the av

Greg · December 1, 2001

I've only washed my Av by hand so far. With winter coming though I'm considering the drive thru, but concerned about damage to the plastic and leaks. Any experience / suggestions?

gandolphxx · December 1, 2001

I don't have a garage so mine sits out side - I run it through the carwash about once a week to get the dust and tree crap off - haven't run into any problems.

raventai · December 1, 2001

only problem with the drive through is it will strip your wax

long term use may strip your paint of oils leaving it dead looking

they use string soaps (only way to clean without scrubing)

djames · December 2, 2001

Hey raventai, what kind of oils are in your paint, that washing your truck at an automated car wash would hurt.

The only way the auto carwash is going to hurt your paint is by what type of system their using to scrub the car. The nylon sucks it scratches the crap out of it. The best thing to do in the winter, is hit the touchless car washes and then wait for those days when it's not bare butt cold and go outside and do it by hand.

There's no such thing as hurting the oils in your paint. Now maybe damaging the clear coat with UV, sap and road grime, yes that can happen. :sneek:

Plus, Greg, the car washes aren't going to hurt the body moldings. That's what they were put on for, to suck up some of the dings and rock chips the lower rocker panels would usually take.

GREGGO · December 2, 2001

Just something I read. Don't know how true it is. If you use a touchless system, use the wax option, because over time one of those systems will strip wax off.My Webpage

GREGGO · December 2, 2001

Just something I read. Don't know how true it is. If you use a touchless system, use the wax option, because over time one of those systems will strip wax off.My Webpage

Uh, oops, that's not my web page :blush:

But there is an interesting comment there.

raventai · December 2, 2001

Hey raventai, what kind of oils are in your paint, that washing your truck at an automated car wash would hurt.
The only way the auto carwash is going to hurt your paint is by what type of system their using to scrub the car. The nylon sucks it scratches the crap out of it. The best thing to do in the winter, is hit the touchless car washes and then wait for those days when it's not bare butt cold and go outside and do it by hand.

There's no such thing as hurting the oils in your paint. Now maybe damaging the clear coat with UV, sap and road grime, yes that can happen. :sneek:

Plus, Greg, the car washes aren't going to hurt the body moldings. That's what they were put on for, to suck up some of the dings and rock chips the lower rocker panels would usually take.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/autopia/washing.html

granted this is tking it a bit far for a truck but I would still like to keep my paint from oxedizing

Greg · December 3, 2001

What has me concerned with the carwash as the upper plastic parts, mainly the covers for the saddlebags and the plastic bed cover. My wife's Miata never went through the carwash due to the top and rear window. Anyway, the sun came out this afternoon, the temp neared 50, plus I hooked up to warm water from the laundry tub. The Av went from brown to white.

raventai · December 3, 2001

here is a GM service bulliten about the glass deterioritaion

Glass - Distortion Explanation

File In Section: 08 - Body and Accessories

Bulletin No.: 00-08-48-005

Date: December, 2000

INFORMATION

Subject:

Distortion in Outer Surface of Vehicle Glass

Models:

2001 and Prior Passenger Cars and Trucks

Distortion in the outer surface of the windshield glass, door glass or backlite glass may appear after the vehicle has:

- accumulated some mileage

- been frequently washed in automatic car washes (particularly "touchless" car washes)

This distortion may look like a subtle orange peel pattern, or may look like a drip or sag etched into the surface of the glass.

Some car wash solutions contain a buffered solution of hydrofluoric acid which is used to clean the glass. This should not cause a problem if used in the correct concentration. However, if not used correctly, hydrofluoric acid will attack the glass, and over time, will cause visual distortion in the outer surface of the glass which cannot be removed by scraping or polishing.

If this condition is suspected, look at the area of the windshield under the wipers or below the belt seal on the side glass. The area of the glass below the wipers or belt seal will not be affected and what looks like a drip or sag may be apparent at the edge of the wiper or belt seal. You may also see a line on the glass where the wiper blade or the belt seal contacts the glass.

Important : The repair will require replacing the affected glass and is not a result of a defect in material or workmanship. Therefore, is not covered by New Vehicle Warranty.