Washing the car

[lepton]

Sundays are not the same since the hosepipe ban! Can anyone tell me if it's safe to use a drive through car wash. Will the star remain on the front of the bonnet?

Alan

 

[daveenty]

The star should be OK, but the paint won't remain too good after many of them. Ends up with small scratches and swirls embedded due to the nasty nylon bristles.

I'd suggest trying to find a *hand wash* service nearby.

I'm lucky in that I have one just up the road. £6.00 for full wash & dry including wheels and tyre shiny stuff on walls.

 

[alexspurs61]

Sundays are not the same since the hosepipe ban! Can anyone tell me if it's safe to use a drive through car wash. Will the star remain on the front of the bonnet?

Alan

There's a whole raft of debate about car washes being rubbish generally - the end result and effect on paintwork - but I can confirm that the star stays intact.

 

[television]

How can we have a hose pipe ban, its rained everyday for weeks and it is going to rain every day next week.

Malcolm

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I've just posted on another thread about our local paper reporting on the fact that local met office recorders have shown that 2006 was the wettest year on record for West Sussex and yet we still have a hose pipe ban.

I look at it this way. 1) Our local water company rather foolishly pointed out on TV that they have never prosecuted anyone.

2) I'm not sure the water companies would want the publicity of prosecuting someone when it quite clearly hasn't stopped raining for the last 3 months.

Basicially use your hose pipe and don't worry about it. I certainly wouldn't use a car wash. I used them before when I had a black BMW. Looked fine in the daylight but under artificial light it looked dreadful.

If you are genuinely worried about using the hose pipe then just find a Tesco (or other supermarket) that has one of those hand wash guys. They are usually pretty good. If you are close enough the nice Polish guys at Tesco Gatwick will valet teh car for £17 and do a very good job

 

[type49]

I've started to use the hosepipe again - nuts to em! I bet they won't reduce my bill will they? Anyway, they own all the pipes that are leaking underground not me.

 

[The Hooded Claw]

I take my C240 thru the car wash once a week ........although I do drive 10 miles up the coast to use a new one that DOES NOT have nylon brushes (it uses high pressure water & what look & feel like shammy leathers......I actually walked into the wash to examine the "Brushes")....... only lasts 10 mins though by the time I've driven back home it's filthy again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Juddian]

I know i am going swiftly round the bend but i always hose under the cars when i wash them in bad weather. Am i the only one or have i discovered the reason modern mercs corrode so badly?

 

[jberks]

I know i am going swiftly round the bend but i always hose under the cars when i wash them in bad weather. Am i the only one or have i discovered the reason modern mercs corrode so badly?

Modern - e.g. post 04 mercs don't corrode. Earlier ones just weren't painted properly. I do tendto hose mine down every few weeks though, just to remove the salt.
On the hosepipe ban - we don't have one - I guess there is some benefit to living up north. That said, looking at the reservoirs down there, I'd take car. You guys could run out altogether!
I suspect the problem has more to do with overpopulation and leaks than lack of rain though.
These hand car washes are great, but it took an age last time I used one as I found myself sitting in the middle of a police immigration raid!

 

[Juddian]

I should hope post 04 mercs dont corrode they are only 3 years old, lets have another look in another 3 years. Cynical i know but never trust a salesman. Your right about overpopulation but dont mention it in public Tone Gord or Two Jags wouldnt like it

 

[television]

If you cant use a hose pipe,you can use 20 buckets of water

Malcolm

 

[lepton]

There's a hole in my bucket!

Alan

 

[The Hooded Claw]

I feel a song comin on .............."dear liza dear Liza"