Car Wash and Ditch lights?

We have one in Kalispell, MT called the blue cow. It's the best wash I have ever been to. Before that, I would have never used one. But for sure it actually cleans your car. They used to hand dry on the way out but not anymore. They don't all suck, just the ones where you live. Actually, the ones where I live now do too... they are touchless which is "safer" but they don't actually clean shit.

 

Never use an automatic car wash (touch free only for a quick rinse). And never, ever, never, never, never, ever use a fund raising car wash, in a gas station parking lot. they hang their drying towels on the bushes, or lay them in the grass. Not good for your paint.

 

There's that truck again! lol

Ed

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I’m seeing less and less touch less car washes in my area. Off hand, I don’t know any at all now. I hand wash mine, but a touch less would be great to just get stuff off quickly.

 

I wouldn't, the dealers concerns are valid and if the light comes lose it can cause a lot of damage. Not saying they will, but you don't know they wont until you try.

For those that say a touchless doesn't work, it does if your paint is coated with a good wax or ceramic. I get that a lot of folks could care less about perfect paint, and justifiably so, but the coatings do make it easier to simply spray the junk off.
I just did the CQuartz UK ceramic sealant on mine and it was very easy to do. There is no reason you cannot do it yourself on older or scuffed paint simply for the ease of washing. Online will tell you that you need a $1000 paint correction to do a ceramic, that is a lie. Its just expensive wax that lasts a long time, you can absolutely put it on less then perfect paint. The stuff is amazing at letting water just wash the crap away, I would use it on an older truck just so that a rain storm turns into a free carwash.

 

Bro, I'm just north of you...up in Alberta. Same here but unless it's a wand wash I'm not washing!

 

Regardless of if you're running a full overland pack mule or a stock rig, always go touchless. Those scrubbers are chock full of the dirt and grime of the hundred other cars that rolled through before you. Over time this will leave swirl marks, scratches, and damage your clear coat.
I live in the Northeast where road salting is common practice, so I roll through the car wash once a week in the winter, but I always make sure it's just spray and blow dry, no scrubbers. There's a place near me that offers memberships at $20 a month for the whole shebang so it's relatively cost effective, coming out to about $5 per wash. I usually start in November and cancel by March. Definitely worth the money to keep my frame from rusting.

 

Mahalo! I normally don't wash any of my vehicles. (I just wait until it rains) But it's been dry lately and my truck is starting to get really muddy and dusty because of all the dusty/muddy hunting trails. The wife is making little comments about it. Something about when we go out it gets her clothes dirty?? Don't know? Not really paying attention; but I know she's saying something because of the "Look" on her face. (LMAO)

 

Would touchless clean this?

 

The ones around me would.

 

I'll check it out. I know there's a few in my area. I just can't see how it could get off all the dirt? But I'm willing to give it a shot!

 

No problems while I ran ditch lights on my 2008. Just make sure your brackets are extra sturdy.

 

I have the Cali Raised Brackets.

 

I think a car wash is normally like $10-$15?? Not sure I haven't used one in a while.
I would rather pay to have it done than spend an hour doing it myself. (It's a cost thing) I get paid more than $10-$15 an hours so it doesn't make financial sense to do it myself. (Not saying how much I get paid. Not trying to Flex) Just saying I wouldn't do a job I don't enjoy for less than I make at a Job I don't enjoy! LMAO!

 

As I said above I have found the condition of the paint to be a big determinant in how well the dirt comes off. I use long life sealants (and now ceramic) and the dirt just falls off with water. The waxes needed regular application (2-3 times per year) but I'm hoping this ceramic fixes that.

And granted, there are good washes and bad washes. I know the one I like near me has a great touchless that does a BETTER job then the brushed one up the street. I have had a bunch of mediocre touchless washes too. Still, I like touchless washes (or better the pay and spray do-it-yourself) for really dirty trucks since it also blasts the crap off the underside and little nooks.

 

My paint should be in good condition? My truck is only a few months old. (Maybe 3 mo.) I might look into ceramic coating? Mahalo for the feedback!

 

That’ll work just fine.

 

Yeah, I would think its in pretty good condition. Most places will recommend a full multi-stage paint correction before a ceramic coating since the coating itself will seal in any scuffs or scratches and a big part of the coating is to prevent scuffs and scratches. However if you don't mind any existing marks getting sealed under the coating there is no reason you cannot just coat over top of them. I doubt your truck has much to worry about.

There are a BUNCH of different coatings out there. Autopia and AutoGeek have some great forums for research on the different coatings if you want. That said, CQuarts was one of the originals and it gets "good enough" reviews, it is also reasonably priced and easy to use, so that was my choice.

If you go that route just wash the truck very very well (do it 2-3 times) with dawn dish soap to remove any waxes, coatings, etc. Then put on the ceramic following the instructions. It took me maybe a solid afternoon to do.
You can also buy ceramic sprays that are supposed to help keep the coating strong (nothing lasts forever) and make detailing nice. I have not used any so I cannot comment on them.

 

Ha! When I was in Edmonton I made the mistake of washing my car in January.. next day all the doors were frozen shut and handles broke getting into it..

 

I run mine in the car wash.. haven't had an issue. I have some cheap ones that have some slight cracking on the surround but I blame the cheap ditch brackets that actually vibrate a bit while driving. I haven't gotten a chance to put the better brackets on but plan to upgrade lights when I do. did the cheap ones to see if I actually used them before making an investment.

Never had the brushes get caught, I think the brushes only have caught in the step plate on the sliders. scratched to hell but whatever I'll repaint it when it gets really bad. touch free weren't strong enough for the road salt/mud that I cake up... I've tried