Don't wanna start a shitstorm but how many here run their X-Fires through automated car washes? How do they fare? Particularly concerned about wheel scuffing on the guide rails.

 

Why would you? I take mine to one of those self-wash ones. I bring a bucket and a Boar's hair brush. I fill the bucket with soapy water and then I hose down the car. After that, I used the brush to scrub the car. Then I rinse it off and use a chamois to dry. The water is filtered so no hard water spots.

 

Most of us wont use an automatic wash at all
Most important to know is that an automatic wash has a strong air blower to dry the car
That air blower has enough force to blow the rear glass right out of the canvas top on any of the Roadsters !!
It's NOT RECOMMENDED to wash a Crossfire at anything other than a coin do it yourself spray wash or your home garden hose
Wheel scuffing on the side rails is very likely as well

 

The previous owner said, “dont do automatic car washes“ and mentioned high pressure. 2 years later a new car wash opened around here giving free washes.
……the next day my heater cooler fan wouldn’t shut off……..and the Crossfire emblem above the spoiler was just hanging on by maybe an inch of glue.

the high pressure water quickly filled two drains in firewall due to needles and dried up leaves. Water seeped into the area behind glove box and shorted out the fan resister. $45 after a week of troubleshooting.

 

I would never take a roadster through a car wash. They will beat the hell out of it. Besides I enjoy washing my car.
I also like all of the comments I get when I washing my car in the driveway.

 

I don't.

 

So don't.

 

Our outside water is currently off until after our last frost, so I've been going to coin-op self serve washes all winter. It serves to clear off salt and grime which isn't much, but the salt stays on the roads until it's worn off or rained off, so the wand is a good way to get the undercarriage cleaned off. I use less pressure when washing the top and windows (convertible), and around the trunk, I've noticed a little bit of seepage ... the rubber seal likes to slip off one corner now and then.
Today's wash was mostly taking off a healthy layer of juniper pollen.
There are three of these in my town, and they're owned by the same folks, and also they're all rather isolated, so I don't hang around to fully dry things off.
Once our water's turned on again I forsee a long afternoon with perhaps too many automotive cleaning and detail products.
Saw a meme with a photo of someone washing their car and the caption was, "Not a chore, but therapy."

 

Yes that is Mark - Pizzaguy

 

I agree, it is therapy.

 

If you are using a car wash for your roadster, make sure the top is down to get a complete interior/exterior wash...
Oh, don't forget to bring along a bar of soap and wash cloth for a complete wash.
Dennis
DTMenace

 

Coin-Op spray washes for my Coupe during winter season. Then the rest of the year, I wash the car in the driveway manually using the 2-bucket method. I try to keep the coupe as clean as possible so I can use Adam's Waterless Wash product which comes with some emulsifiers to assist with the removal of dust particles along with some shining properties. Probably don't manually wash the car more than 3-4x per summer season, usually prior to a Crossfire gathering event or local car shows.