Washing truck w/ roof rack - automatic car washes.

I just installed a full length Prinsu rack. Anyone have any experience with taking the truck through car wash with full rack (Prinsu, Gobi, Baja, etc.)?

Thanks.
B.
 
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I've got a Rhino Rack Pioneer setup on mine and runs through the wash just fine. Not touchless, everything is microfiber though. Typically the roof rack is free of items that could snag, just a few empty mounts and eye bolts. They might not like it if it was loaded up with storage boxes, etc..lol
 
You will have to search for it, but someone posted a thread where the automatic car wash caught on his roof rack and did several thousand dollars damage to his 4Runner.

I don't recall the exact details of his type of roof rack, but recall that he had a 5th Generation and that there were pictures of the aftermath posted on this site.
 
You will have to search for it, but someone posted a thread where the automatic car wash caught on his roof rack and did several thousand dollars damage to his 4Runner.

I don't recall the exact details of his type of roof rack, but recall that he had a 5th Generation and that there were pictures of the aftermath posted on this site.

I also saw this, and have one word, TOUCHLESS.
 
Car wash and roof rack

I wash my truck at home.

I have a Baja Racks flat utility rack with no tie down brackets on it. The rack makes it hard to clean the top of the car, but it can be done.

Whenever I get a car wash I go to a place that does hand wash with soap and towels in the prewash, not the rotating rollers with pads, etc. It costs $18 to $20 and they don't do a good job. The key is hand washing with soap and water to remove all the dirt. But inevitably some guy with a semi-dry towel always ends up rubbing the dirt off after the prewash. If I do go to the car wash I inspect it after the prewash, before the post-drying and rubbing, to make sure they got the dirt off.
:surfer:
 
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I'd never take my pride and joy through a carwash. I handwash all of my vehicles and it give me some time to go over it and hopefully catch any issues that may arise. This includes the undercarrage and engine bay. I will get it dirty but I will also spend a few hours cleaning it up and then detailing, sealant etc
 
I'd never take my pride and joy through a carwash. I handwash all of my vehicles and it give me some time to go over it and hopefully catch any issues that may arise. This includes the undercarrage and engine bay. I will get it dirty but I will also spend a few hours cleaning it up and then detailing, sealant etc

That's all well and good, but you're not hand washing your 4runner when it's 2 degrees with a windchill of -15, and you need to get all the road salt off after the latest blizzard.
 
I'd never take my pride and joy through a carwash. I handwash all of my vehicles and it give me some time to go over it and hopefully catch any issues that may arise. This includes the undercarrage and engine bay. I will get it dirty but I will also spend a few hours cleaning it up and then detailing, sealant etc

That's the major suck-factor about being back in an apartment.

:frusty:
 
Apologies for the interruption, Manganos what sealant are you using? Have heard of some detailers using a sealant, especially on the top sides that are in direct sunlight. Not sure what sealants are available. what do you recommend...thanks.
 
That's all well and good, but you're not hand washing your 4runner when it's 2 degrees with a windchill of -15, and you need to get all the road salt off after the latest blizzard.



I am. Heated garage with hot and cold water [emoji41]. I sat mine outside today and ran a warm water sprinkler under the truck for an hour or so to rinse off the remnants of our snow storm....


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Apologies for the interruption, Manganos what sealant are you using? Have heard of some detailers using a sealant, especially on the top sides that are in direct sunlight. Not sure what sealants are available. what do you recommend...thanks.



My friend gets me cquartz finest and it works extremely well. I also have chemical guys jet seal and while it works ok I find it doesn’t last as long. It is less expensive though.


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Power wash undercarriage

That's all well and good, but you're not hand washing your 4runner when it's 2 degrees with a windchill of -15, and you need to get all the road salt off after the latest blizzard.

A few days ago I got a $4 wash at the self-serve, coin-op power wash place. I managed to power wash the underside, wheel wells, axles and brakes, engine compartment, the roof below my Baja Rack and the body. Not a bad job for $4 and 10 minutes work. And my suspension is clean again, ready for working on my lift.

If I want a really thorough wash I take a bucket full of water and a bottle of car wash soap, a few towels and a wash rag. Cap on the 3 gallon utility bucket. After an initial soap rinse I wash it by hand. Do this when the place is slow. People waiting will glare at you for taking so much time in the stall and the owners don't like it at all. They want people pouring money into the coin slots non-stop.

Do these places operate where you are when it's that cold outside?
 
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That's all well and good, but you're not hand washing your 4runner when it's 2 degrees with a windchill of -15, and you need to get all the road salt off after the latest blizzard.

I wand wash pre-soak plus rinse at the local coin-op car wash to get the salt/slurry/grime off, then drive ~1 mile to the heated underground parking garage at the mall (lol mall cruising) and catch a movie while it dries ;): :) or just park there (park free for an hour) and finish with a waterless wash and some microfiber.
 
Hands down best way to wash for us in Colorado is touchless car wash or I like to do it myself at the bay. You can power wash your mats and really clean the truck good and with much detail.
 

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