How many of you wash your own Armada? How many of you take it to a brush or brushless car wash?

I just tried to take mine to one of those full service car wash things where they vacuum it, then it goes through, and comes out and they dry it off, and wash your windows rims, tires, and dash and such. Before it went through, the guy told me that they don't take Armada's anymore because the piece on the back top of the rear door is being blown off by the strong air dryer at the end. I asked him if it was perhaps a rear spoiler that was added on. He said no, that the factory piece is what is blowin off. Not sure if anybody else has had a problem with this or if anybody else takes their Mada's through this type of car wash, but just wanted to share. :rolleyes:

We have a local owned Manual/Auto car wash here who is very generous on soap so I use it. I spend $5 spraying under the hood then using the High Pressure Spray and Brush to wash it myself until the time runs out and I leave it unrinsed. Then I drive around to the Automatic part and spend $10 on the Rain-X Deluxe brushless spot-free. Drive home, use a damp towel to hand dry and remove any water spots then call it a day. :D

I think that Car Wash's claim is out of hear say and lack of knowledge. I don't see how that part could just decide to fly off oneday regardless of turbulance.

Pops, do you actually spray the engine area, I was told that is not a good idea with all of the electronics underneath, I have been wanting to do it, but have the fear of killing some sort of electrical equipment and not having it fixed under warranty due to this. Thoughts????

As long as it's not High Pressure, it's fine. I use the Tire Cleaner to gently spray everything under the hood with when applying to the tires then I use the High Pressure rinse from about 3 feet back. I figure the only harm could come from pressure because I've had water splashing all around inside there when driving across creeks or through hard rain storms.

How many of you wash your own Armada? How many of you take it to a brush or brushless car wash?

I just tried to take mine to one of those full service car wash things where they vacuum it, then it goes through, and comes out and they dry it off, and wash your windows rims, tires, and dash and such. Before it went through, the guy told me that they don't take Armada's anymore because the piece on the back top of the rear door is being blown off by the strong air dryer at the end. I asked him if it was perhaps a rear spoiler that was added on. He said no, that the factory piece is what is blowin off. Not sure if anybody else has had a problem with this or if anybody else takes their Mada's through this type of car wash, but just wanted to share. :rolleyes:
It sounds like you are talking about the after market rear spoiler. I don't see anything on the back that could blow off with a blower. I've never had any problems at the car wash I go to.

How many of you wash your own Armada? How many of you take it to a brush or brushless car wash?

I just tried to take mine to one of those full service car wash things where they vacuum it, then it goes through, and comes out and they dry it off, and wash your windows rims, tires, and dash and such. Before it went through, the guy told me that they don't take Armada's anymore because the piece on the back top of the rear door is being blown off by the strong air dryer at the end. I asked him if it was perhaps a rear spoiler that was added on. He said no, that the factory piece is what is blowin off. Not sure if anybody else has had a problem with this or if anybody else takes their Mada's through this type of car wash, but just wanted to share. :rolleyes:

I remember some posts a long time ago where this happened, and the carwash would use masking tape to hold it on, then peel it off after the dryer. You might do a search on car wash, that ought to find it. That being said, I wash my own car in the driveway, every weekend, whether it needs it or not. Of course, I live in Southern California, where all we need to worry about is dust!!

Keith

I go through the $5 brushless wash. So far no problems. I just finish it up with a microfiber cloth to clean up the water the blowers did not get.

I have washed it myself, taken it to the brushless and full service washes and I have the tailgate handle chrome attachement that has never come off (knock on wood).

I used to take it to the car wash twice a day...no prob the only part they stick on a piece of tape is the rear wiper...but now these days I was it on my own..

Bunch of slackers here ;)

I never go to a car wash - I do it myself and do it properly. It is quite a beast to wash but with my step ladder and some careful balancing I am able to get it all spotless.

I use the California Jelly Blade to get most of the water off which really helps. Follow that up with a microfiber towel. Then use a leaf blower to get it out of the grill, tires, and creases.

Never ever heard of that! http://www.corvettegarage.com/product/california-jelly-blade.html


Hmmmm! Learn something new everyday!

during these winter months, i take it to this Hand car wash place in queens. it cost $20 but they do an amazing job cleaning the truck in and out. they use mothers wash gel for the exterior, and use blown air to dry it up along with microfiber towels. they dry everything up, and i always leave without any streaks of excess water.

but the rest of the year, i'll wash it myself as well. i take my time and i'm very detailed when it comes to cleaning my cars. i'll usually spend about 3-4 hrs. when i have to clay, polish, glaze and wax the armada, along with cleaning and conditioning the leather interior, carpet, panels... the works.

~~~but the rest of the year, i'll wash it myself as well. i take my time and i'm very detailed when it comes to cleaning my cars. i'll usually spend about 3-4 hrs. when i have to clay, polish, glaze and wax the armada, along with cleaning and conditioning the leather interior, carpet, panels... the works.
I usually do it myself during the warm weather, but the carwash is my friend during the winter!

I used to take it to the car wash twice a day...no prob the only part they stick on a piece of tape is the rear wiper...but now these days I was it on my own..

I know my english is not the best.
But please tell me i´m missunderstanding the beginning of your post :)

Twice a day ?!

Never ever heard of that! http://www.corvettegarage.com/product/california-jelly-blade.html


Hmmmm! Learn something new everyday!

Oh yea, it rules. This is the 2nd gen of the "Califorinia Water Blade". The advantage to this one is that it has a jelly handle so you can contour to the car and also there is no danger of scratching as there was with the hard plastic handle when you were rushing (as I always am).

I know my english is not the best.
But please tell me i´m missunderstanding the beginning of your post :)

Twice a day ?!

Yea, if he is washing this thing twice a day I would change the name from ArmadaDad to PsychoDad...:D

I thought my OCD was bad :eek:

There were a few people who posted early on that the fascia covering the upper rear tail light was goming loose in those carwashes that use brushes and wipers. I actually had them tape down the part on my 04 one time, but have not been back since the detailer left the tape on in the 100 degree heat and didn't clean the tape residue off the paint. I now do like Pops and clean my engine area with the wand and then loop through the brushless automatic side. For about 12 bucks, I get a prety decent wash job. We haven't been able to wash our cars ourselves since early last summer because of exceptional drought. That may be over soon though.

Just got my QX, but only hand washes are anticipated. Can't wait til the wife delivers the baby (soon) so I can put on the Zaino during baby naps!

I usually do it myself during the warm weather, but the carwash is my friend during the winter!

That describes me since I found a $3 car wash that has the various jets of soap/water/wax with with sets of those spinning brush-type contraptions, as well as 6 blowers to blow-dry the vehicle. Took my car there one day after work since it looked like I'd been off-roading in the Accord. The car had layers of mud and dried dirt all over. After coming through the drive-thru car wash, it ALMOST looked like I drove it off the dealer's lot with a good detail job. The only thing I noticed with the wheel well wasn't perfectly clean, and inside the multi-spokes of the wheel had a little bit of dirt (or brake dust). For $3, that was amazing. Needless to say, that's where my wife takes the Armada. Every other week, I spring for the $5 wash & wax. I hand-dry afterwards & use the FREE vacuums on the premises. Look up Benny's Express Wash. They're grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat! :D

Twice a day? That can't be right! ;)

OK, I am a "wash-by-hand-only" type of guy. But I admit cheating on occasion especially during cooler weather by going to the self-serve car washes. The first thing I do is take the high pressure sprayer and thoroughly clean the scrub brush.........I have seen some of the 4x4 guys use the same brushes!

My preferred way is at home by hand though, but it takes time.
-rinse whole thing
-wash top
-rinse top
-wash L fender
-rinse fender
-wash D door above the door guard
-rinse D door etc.

When it's time to dry, I bust out my 205 mph leaf blower. It is faster and easier than towel drying, plus it gets all the moisture out of the hard to get areas like door handles, mirrors, grill etc.

during these winter months, i take it to this Hand car wash place in queens. it cost $20 but they do an amazing job cleaning the truck in and out. they use mothers wash gel for the exterior, and use blown air to dry it up along with microfiber towels. they dry everything up, and i always leave without any streaks of excess water.

but the rest of the year, i'll wash it myself as well. i take my time and i'm very detailed when it comes to cleaning my cars. i'll usually spend about 3-4 hrs. when i have to clay, polish, glaze and wax the armada, along with cleaning and conditioning the leather interior, carpet, panels... the works.

Hey primo....where in Queens do you go? Is it close to the Airport(JFK)?

Yup that is right...twice a day..once in the morning and once in the evening...

Yup that is right...twice a day..once in the morning and once in the evening...
Ok, you do it yourself twice a day or do you have someone else do it for you "by hand"?:rolleyes:

I have never found a car wash that did half as good a job washing a car as I can do and I hate waiting around for a lousy wash. So, we wash our own cars 90%+ of the time. Since we have 5 vehicles at the moment, it's not an insubstantial cost savings, too (see the "How can you afford an Armada" thread).

My wife and I have a deal, I do the outside and she does the inside. Seems to work okay (at least for me, I hate confined spaces and the sound of vacuum cleaners).

Since the Armada parks outside and isn't driven often, it is frequently last in line and so pretty grungy by the time we get to it. I use one of those brush things that has a long handle that attaches to a garden hose along with a soapy bucket. I wash, rinse and chamois. It's survived 4 years of this without any ill effects.

I give the "good" cars the clay bar and carnuba treatment once a year and regular wax maybe every 3-4 months. The long-suffering Armada has yet to be waxed. Maybe as a 4th birthday present . . .