Car wash problems?

I wouldn't think of attempting to take my GT350 through a wash with tracks, too risky for damage to the tires and splitter, also effects on the stripes.
I have taken it to a high pressure wash once were I have total control of the spray, that seemed OK.
Besides, the car is too fun to wash in the driveway.

wash by hand too risky to take into a car wash I don't even like using the high pressure washers

If I recall correctly, the owners manual recommends against going through a car wash due to wheel width.

I wouldn't use drive through car wash. If you have stripes, certain accessories, other fragile items, a spray drive through car can be dangerous. My previous Shelby was a 2012 and in the owners manual they recommended that you should not use a
car wash. Washing it by hand allows you to see the condition of your Gt 350's exterior.

Richnapoli said:

Has anyone tried bringing their GT350 to a car wash? Any issues with ground clearance, tire width , etc?

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Thanks for the advice guys. I'd love to wash it by hand but I'm always stretched for time. I have mine on order (no stripes), and I'm good friends with the local car wash so I will go down there and experiment (very carefully!), and see how it goes. I'll report back with my findings.

Wash by hand for sure! Remember the old adage, if it's for use in the house, don't use it on your car. Get quality brand name products made specifically for cars!!

I wouldn't run a wheelbarrow through a car wash. Not a good idea.

I wouldn't put any of my vehicles through an automated car wash. You're just asking for trouble. Well unless you are just into that well-abused look. Any dirt on a roller hits your car and you'll see it. The closest I get to an automatic car wash is the stall next to it where I can just spray it clean and go dry it off. On that subject don't use the wand brush either. It' an accident waiting to happen and your car is the receiver. DON'T DO IT! PLEEEEASE DON'T DO IT MISTER...

So guys, I have my 2017 GT350 now and I did go to the car wash--and it doesn't really fit. I could force it but would then risk scraping the underside. Fortunately, it turns out my local car wash offers a wash-by-hand option. So for now, I'm using that plus a hand-wax by yours truly to make it shine. I may opt for the ceramic coating at some point, but for now, this will work.

Richnapoli said:

So guys, I have my 2017 GT350 now and I did go to the car wash--and it doesn't really fit. I could force it but would then risk scraping the underside. Fortunately, it turns out my local car wash offers a wash-by-hand option. So for now, I'm using that plus a hand-wax by yours truly to make it shine. I may opt for the ceramic coating at some point, but for now, this will work.

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Glad the design of the GT350 saved itself from you!! LOL!!

To Richnapoli I have a 2016 Black ott stripes GT 350 and I wouldn't let anybody but me wash or wax it.

Two-bucket wash or foam cannon and rinse only on mine (actually, I usually hit it with the foam cannon and let it soak while I prep the two buckets--everything comes clean much more easily that way). Dry w/waffle towels and detail spray in straight lines, front-to-back, only (thus no swirl marks), or use a leaf blower.

extrachrispy said:

Two-bucket wash or foam cannon and rinse only on mine (actually, I usually hit it with the foam cannon and let it soak while I prep the two buckets--everything comes clean much more easily that way). Dry w/waffle towels and detail spray in straight lines, front-to-back, only (thus no swirl marks), or use a leaf blower.

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Exactly what my baby gets, with a waterless wash in between to keep it dust free. Results are amazing.

Richnapoli said:

So guys, I have my 2017 GT350 now and I did go to the car wash--and it doesn't really fit. I could force it but would then risk scraping the underside. Fortunately, it turns out my local car wash offers a wash-by-hand option. So for now, I'm using that plus a hand-wax by yours truly to make it shine. I may opt for the ceramic coating at some point, but for now, this will work.

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I have resorted to a “Touchless” wash for the basic interior, then I go home (very fast, long way to dry) and remove all the wheels to clean them (the Only way to clean the whole damn thing...). No tracks at Touchless, just flat cement. I would recommend Ceramic Coating, I didn’t think it was worth it. At minimum, do your wheels, makes them easier to clean (you’ll do a lot of that) and paint gloss is out of this world.

I talked with some people at a local Auto Bell, and examined their facility.

My car would NOT clear their ground rail system.

I did find a local business that would do an exterior hand wash for $30 (they call it 'detailing'). Haven't been there yet, but it's filed away in case needed.

JimT said:

I have resorted to a “Touchless” wash for the basic interior, then I go home (very fast, long way to dry) and remove all the wheels to clean them (the Only way to clean the whole damn thing...). No tracks at Touchless, just flat cement. I would recommend Ceramic Coating, I didn’t think it was worth it. At minimum, do your wheels, makes them easier to clean (you’ll do a lot of that) and paint gloss is out of this world.

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My car is down at the detailer. Full Suntek wrap, overlaid with Modesta. I get it back tomorrow! Very spendy, but if the paint still looks showroom new a decade from now, it will have been worth it!

Gamecock said:

I talked with some people at a local Auto Bell, and examined their facility.

My car would NOT clear their ground rail system.

I did find a local business that would do an exterior hand wash for $30 (they call it 'detailing'). Haven't been there yet, but it's filed away in case needed.

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If you're not going to wash it yourself, find out where people with other high-end cars take theirs, and have a look at their cars for swirl marks.

I'm telling you, after the first wash, it's really quick to do a two-bucket job yourself, especially if you give the car a foam cannon soak while you prep your buckets.

Washing the car is easy. It's washing the wheels that kills me.

Gamecock said:

Washing the car is easy. It's washing the wheels that kills me.

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Heh. I find that as long as it's done at least weekly, it's not bad. When I soak the car with the foam cannon prior to prepping my two buckets, I also soak the wheels. A wheel mop does the rest, though I've not gotten as OCD as others have in taking the wheels off and cleaning them thoroughly (and I mean OCD in a good way!).

When I get my car back from the detailer, it will have Modesta BC-06 on the wheels, which I expect will help a lot. A brake pad change time, I'll look for some ceramic pads, which should help again.