can you run plastidip through an automatic carwash?
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97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Clear coat
wnelax04sr5
New member
to be totally honest, id stay away from automatic car washes that aren't touchless period. just ask [MENTION=87687]LTDSC[/MENTION] , all that smacking against scrubbing against the side of your car, a hand wash/detail is always best
LTDSC
New member
haha i cringed reading this. But i've learned people will do whatever they want to. I call it job security.
NJshadow93
New member
Yup, touch-free car washes FTW in the winter. Always by hand when it's warmer than 50 out though 
montyMT
New member
Ha! I thought I'd catch crap for being a lazy A-Hole! I will avoid the auto wash Thanks Guys.
I like the look of my rig now but I am wary of Plastidip in general...I just dont think it will hold up given the way that I use my vehicle. Still...I had a week off and a few bucks to waste so here goes nothing.
I like the look of my rig now but I am wary of Plastidip in general...I just dont think it will hold up given the way that I use my vehicle. Still...I had a week off and a few bucks to waste so here goes nothing.
zstampe
New member
Yup, touch-free car washes FTW in the winter. Always by hand when it's warmer than 50 out though
Figured I'd drop by and say hi!
Also, I quoted this for truth. I drop by the TOUCHLESS auto weekly this time of year. At least get all the salt off. Then I'll go home and use a spray detailer or quick detailing wax and microfiber to make sure it shines, I'm ready for warmer weather so I can hand wash again.....and maybe have an adult beverage in the process.....
kevinpt
Senior Member
I have had dip on my truck for almost a year now and its still holding up just fine. Don't wash the truck for a week or so and you will be fine. I have have been off-road a few times, had my rims covered in mud for weeks and dip still looks new when washed. Once it is set up touchless carwashes will not hurt it.
I had a set of Enkei RPF-1 wheels plasti-dipped black for about year to change the look of a previous car for a while. Left tires on the rims and used notecards stuck in between the rim and the tire. Never had an issue pressure washing, stones, snow, ice, salt, scrubbing etc.
As long as the surface was cleaned the stuff shouldn't be easy to take off as you would think. It took me almost an hour on each wheel to peel it off when i wanted the aluminum look back :frusty:
But like others said dont use anything but touchless or your own clean rags/scrubbers!!!!!!! your paint will thank you!!
As long as the surface was cleaned the stuff shouldn't be easy to take off as you would think. It took me almost an hour on each wheel to peel it off when i wanted the aluminum look back :frusty:
But like others said dont use anything but touchless or your own clean rags/scrubbers!!!!!!! your paint will thank you!!
A10GAC
New member
Check out dipyourcar on YouTube...they have a bunch of videos showing dipped wheels/cars being cleaned with an 1800psi pressure washer and a fully dipped VW Golf going through a brush style car wash.
Now that I think about it, fully dipped is probably the safest way to get your paint through a wash like that without damage.
Here's the link to the VW going through the car wash >> Plasti-dip VW vs. Cars Wash
And another where he's using an electric pressure washer on the whole car >> Pressure Wash vs. Plasti-dip
I was on a tablet last night and can't master the cut & paste hyperlink; I should have asked my 9yr old....
Now that I think about it, fully dipped is probably the safest way to get your paint through a wash like that without damage.
Here's the link to the VW going through the car wash >> Plasti-dip VW vs. Cars Wash
And another where he's using an electric pressure washer on the whole car >> Pressure Wash vs. Plasti-dip
I was on a tablet last night and can't master the cut & paste hyperlink; I should have asked my 9yr old....
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kpbigsky72
New member
Just got my first 4runner and found this link because I'm Plasti Dipping my roof rails. Just wanted to know how your emblems are holding up. Also, i was thinking of dipping my emblems.
LordAbdullah
New member
I have my front grill and bumper section plastidiped, it's been washed and I've used a pressure washer on the plasti-dipped part to remove bugs, and as of yet its as good as new. I didn't touch the dip at all for the first week or so, until it cured completely
wadle5
New member
Same. I have grill, emblems, and door handles dipped since the first month of ownership. Later did the hood to reduce glare from the light bar, and haven't had any issues. My only concern would possibly be how it adheres to the roof rails? I don't think it should be a problem though.
BioHAzard050
New member
My plasti dipped front grille has held up fine to multiple washings, a few tree branches, and my general dumbassery. You'll be fine.
NinjaOne
New member
You should be fine with the occasional car wash, especially if touchless. I've run mine through a couple times w/out issue. (inb4 h8, post-beach runs for an underbody rinse before lifted) xD
You'd prob. be fine with the roof rails, but if you threw anything up there it would rub off quickly.
You'd prob. be fine with the roof rails, but if you threw anything up there it would rub off quickly.
shahsmerdis
New member
Hand wash just means they can damage your car with their hands.
If the towel they use to dry your car is on the floor it will scratch. if they wash something and there is something dirty in the towel it will scratch. Hand wash a big big misnomer.
Got taken to a 'hand wash' by the dealer, after millions of signs that says no wash. The guy realizes, then he stops but then dries the car that was dirty to begin with. they said its safe bc its a hand wash.... then tried explaining how my car was dirty. Yes it was dirty, but it was swirl free before they marred everything.
if you have to get a car wash from a machine wash or anyone. Just don't let them dry your car with the towels. I bet you that is where 80% of the swrils come from. dragging a towel that has been on every car, without lube equals scratches. take the water spots if you have too. touchless as much as possible, and make sure you guys who wash your own cars to hit the frames of your car during salty months. More important than having the car look like. I hate to say it, this is coming from a detail freak. After seeing what rust has done to both our 4runners.
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wakevictim
New member
No issues with my plastidipped rims and emblem up front going through automatic car washes and power washer for the days in the dirt. Have been going for over a year now with no issues.
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