I took delivery of my FX4 about 2 weeks ago, and it really needs a wash. My problem is that I live in an apartment complex, so I lack a driveway to wash it in. They have a "free car wash area" here but shut it down in the winter.

Are the automatic car washes a bad idea? There is a "do it yourself" carwash closeby, but you have to use the soap/wax provided...

Is there a suggested time required for the paint to "set" before doing this?

Thanks!

 

I never, ever take my truck through an automatic car wash .... not even the "touchless" kind. The kind with brushes just put scratches all over, and the touchless kind use so much pressure that it has blown pieces of the custom graphics right off the sides of my truck. You should be fine with the "do it yourself" one that you mentioned. That's what I use. There really isn't any "set" time needed for the paint because it's baked on at the factory, and it usually already has a wax or clearcoat over the top of it anyway.

 

All I have access to is a Touchless automatic car wash, and they do a great job. No swirls in the paint, no bent antennas, no problems. Everyone has their personal preferences, but I too live in an apartment complex and have no other access to car washes, and it treats my car great.

WOLF

 

If you use one of those do it yourself car washes that uses a high pressure spray wand, just be careful not to spray your grill using the high pressure...otherwise you'll probably find your radiator fins damaged the next time you open your hood. I believe that happened to another member here several months ago.

 

I never heard of that. I spray the front of my truck all the time with high pressure .... never got any damage. Maybe it's because I'm standing far enough away from it. (shrug)

 

FordVTalum

I have my own driveway so I only use the do it your self car wash in the winter. This is what I do.

1. Dont use the soap they provide or the brush. They are usually loaded with salt/sand and other abrasives.
2. Get a 5 gallon bucket/with a lid put your own car soap and fill it w/ hot water and bring this to the car wash & your own sponge ( a good soft one & Any Name Brand Car Soap Will Do.)
3. Get a gallon of simple green, and fill a spay bottle and one of those soft hand held brushes for the alloy wheels. the gallon will last you alot of washes.( Use The Simple Green On The Wheels/tires & Whell wells/frame Only) It Cuts through the brake dust and road grime great.
"OK" You will have to hussle from here on out.
I start by spraying the whole truck down and under carage w/ rinse. NOTE I ONLY USE THE RINSE on the dial during the whole time. (put the minimal amount of money it needs to get the spray wand going at this time)
After you rinse the heavy stuff off spray simple green on the frame and wheel wells & rims and tires Use the brush on the rims and wells.
Then break out the bucket and your sponge start at the top and work your way down
Remember you have to move fast
Load up the quartes now. Try to get about 5 to 8 minutes af time.
Then rinse well start at the top and work down. be sure to rinse the frame and wheel wells untill the simple green sudds disappear.

Finish off with one of those absorber towls they work great for drying the the truck.
FordVTalum Your truck will look fresh of the showroom..

It cost me around 8 to 10 dollars at the car wash.

PS. Bring a small step ladder with you too.

Hope this helps.
https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=3517

 

I do the auto carwash with brushes.. no problems YET. in and out in 5 min rain or shine. 20 bucks unlimited washes a month. just remember to fold in the mirrors.

 

I use touchless car washes for all my vehicles and have never had a bad experience with them.The pressure is not that high to cause damage.

Mike

 

I agree with using the rinse only cycle. And, if you do that - you must bring a bucket and something to softly lift the excess dirt off the sides. Guess I am lazy about wanting to wax the truck and hate to literally scrape the wax off with the brush or the high pressure soap. It's truly amazing how much better these new finishes are though compared to just 10 years ago. The clearcoat will scratch though during normal washes - pays to be careful.

 

I used the do it yourself power wash last week. There's no problem with it at all. The soap they use is much milder than simple green.....If you don't put the nozzle right up next to anything, it can't hurt the truck. I wouldn't use the foaming brushes, bring your own soft cloths. Dry it with a chamois and your done.

 

I would not recommend using the touchless car washes on a regular basis. The water pressure alone is not going to get all of the dirt/salt off your truck. The reason the touchless washes work so well is the chemicals the add to the spray. These chemicals are not good for your clearcoat paint or the clear topcoat on your alloy rims. The topcoat will eventually be stripped from the rims and the salt and brake dust could cause pitting.

 

I use the self serve car wash all the time, it works great. The one I go to uses all Blue Coral car products so I just use the soap that they provide. It does a decent job during the winter time. During the summer I wash it in my driveway.

 

I just wanted to make sure you dont use the simple green on the entire truck. I only use the simple green on the wheels/tires and wells/frame ( this cut thruogh the brake dust and road grime verry good ). Any name brand car soap for the bucket.

thanks.

 

When I use my own soaps and stuff I stick with a brand named "automagic" they have quite the selection of products. That is what all the Detailing companies use around where I live so I stick with what the pros use.

 

BIG_BLUE_FX4 - Is Blue Coral one of these harmful chemicals? I was under the impression that it was a good type of car wash to go to.