Car washes

[sharp4runr]

Ok, the snow is finally starting to melt away here and my 4Runner is caked with road salt, mud and who knows what else. It's still pretty cold outside and I don't really want to wash it myself. I'm hesitant to take it to just any carwash because I've heard that they can cause swirl marks on the paint. I've heard that brushless carwashes are better but how do you know a car wash is brushless? Also what do you guys normally pay for a car wash?

How do you guys handle getting your car washed in the winter?

Thanks,

"Dirty 4Runner"

 

[toybox]

I go to a self serve and power wash it. It is not perfect but it gets all the crap off until I can do a real wash at home. Plus I can really spray the undercarriage down too. For this I dont spend more than $4 and sometimes I get away with just $2.75.

I don't trust or use the full serve car washes for a couple of reasons.

 

[mikes4runner]

I also use power wash at the car wash mainly to get the unndercarriage. My 4runner is a 93 and not a spot of rust and I live in PA so we see our share of snow and salt. Some say not to use the powerwashers because there hard on your paint. I wax mine alot and apart from the normal chip here and there my paint looks great for a truck thats 11 yrs old. If you have a car wash that is 24hrs. that is heated and the doors close go late at night and you can hand wash it I have even waxed mine in the one near my house. A little humid inside but it works.

 

[toybox]

Hey Mike good suggestion. I have one with doors that is open 24/7 and I think I will bring the bucket next time.

I see you are from PA. Is Hanover in the southeast? Do any local wheelin'?

Also I'd love to hear what you think of your '01 MR2.

 

[mikes4runner]

toybox, Hanover is south central PA I live about 10min from the MD line. I do little off road, more before I had my daughter. I hate to say it but my 4runner is for to and from work for the most part. But I do have fun driving in the snow. The MR2 spyder is a blast to drive, unreal in the twisties!. not the fastest thing but quick. they may not be sending them over to the states for much longer. They say they don't sell alot of them. I love mine. not practical, very little storage space, no trunk. I drive it in the good weather and the 4runner in the bad.

 

[mikes4runner]

toybox,
If you want to read more about the spyder check out Spyderchat.com another great forum like this one!

 

[toybox]

It is a good combination, a 4Runner and a fair weather car. My next addition will be a MR2 or a Z3. Do they make a supercharger for the MR2? That would probably sway my decision.

I have THREE daughters, so I'm actually looking to get out more often.....this weather isn't helping.

 

[mikes4runner]

3 daughters!! you poor guy! come on down to Hanover and I'll let you take it for a drive. you will need a MR2 or Z3 to keep up with those girls when there older.

 

[mikes4runner]

As far as a supercharger. not yet, there are a few companys that make turbo chargers but there not "bullet proof" and $$$. I would rather wait for a TRD supercharger. Maybe someday. for now I put a Injen CAI and a TRD cat back and I am going to get a PPE header in the spring for it. These help but still not neck snapping. still a neat car you don't see alot of them on the street. get a lot of looks driving it around.

 

[jharris2]

I go to a self serve and power wash it. It is not perfect but it gets all the crap off until I can do a real wash at home. Plus I can really spray the undercarriage down too. For this I dont spend more than $4 and sometimes I get away with just $2.75.

I don't trust or use the full serve car washes for a couple of reasons.

:iagree: