ViperStaring
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The Viper owner's manual recommend against bringing the Viper to commercial car wash. Does it really matter? Do we all wash our Vipers ourselves? How often do you wash your Viper?
Commercial car wash
- Thread starter ViperStaring
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KNG SNKE
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I have not seen a commercial car wash that can faciliate the clearance issues with the front bumper and the width of the rear tires. Those 2 issues are why you will not be able to go through.
ViperStaring
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Thanks for the immediate responses. The Viper will have to be garaged, then. Do you clean your Vipers yourselves? What products do you use to clean it?
ViperGTS
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Never say never ... my brand new SRT-10 going through 
KNG SNKE
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I stand corrected, I have never seen a car wash that could facilitate those tires in the rear.
On a side note why in the world would you run a convertible through an automatic car wash and why would the car wash people let you do it? You will damage the top easily, but its your money.
Nothing special to wash a Viper. It is a car and like almost every other car it has paint. Meguiars gold glass car wash works just fine. If you want good techniques for taking care of a Viper or any car for that matter go on you tube and look up junkman. The guy is very knowledgeable and walks you step by step on proper paint cleaning prepping and correcting.
On a side note why in the world would you run a convertible through an automatic car wash and why would the car wash people let you do it? You will damage the top easily, but its your money.
Nothing special to wash a Viper. It is a car and like almost every other car it has paint. Meguiars gold glass car wash works just fine. If you want good techniques for taking care of a Viper or any car for that matter go on you tube and look up junkman. The guy is very knowledgeable and walks you step by step on proper paint cleaning prepping and correcting.
ViperGTS
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There is less than 1 inch between the rims and the steel rails on each side.
Wheel cleaning disabled!
Brand new brushes!
Wheel cleaning disabled!
Brand new brushes!
ViperStaring
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So some car wash can accommodate the Viper's front tires width and lower fascia. May I ask if this is a gas station car wash? I will also check out the YouTube. Thanks for the tip.
ViperGTS
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The top can stand 200 mph - no issue.
And, I did it only once...probably the first and last time!
And, I did it only once...probably the first and last time!
ViperGTS
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Usually hand wash only...the car wash belongs to the dealership where I get the snakes serviced too - good people, good Viper-Techs. No worries.
eucharistos
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eucharistos
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i go to the truck stop and use the big brushes like these:
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TowDawg
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Never say never ... my brand new SRT-10 going through
Looks like you just have to worry about total width on that one, as there aren't "tracks" that the tires go in. Those are the ones that can't clear the height or rear tire width issues.
ViperStaring
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I think I get it. The car wash in ViperGTS's pic is the type that only requires you to drive your front tire "over" a little ramp and then that's it you can stop it there, and doesn't require your front tire to be locked into a well.
CitySnake
Enthusiast
Sort of an odd question since those of us who don't or can't "wrench" our cars ourselves, find it rewarding to at least do the weekly wash and wax. As other's have mentioned, the major problem with automated car wash systems is their "propulsion system". Most move the cars via the wheels and our Viper wheels are generally too wide to fit in the typical car wash tire "lanes". Also the height of the cars can be problematic.
But my memory of automated cars wash systems is rather old since I haven't been to one in quite some time. I know most are now "brushless" which is much better as the brush sytems actually scratched the clearcoat. But, the brushless systems are pretty much cleaning your car via massive leaf blowers, which is ridiculously ineffective.
If you can't wash and wax yourself, have someone professional and responsible do it for you ... by hand.
How often you wash depends on how often you use your car, in what conditions you use it and how clean you want to keep your car. Simple.
TowDawg
Enthusiast
I've run mine through a brushless pressure wash once. It was when I got back from buying it and I had gotten caught in a snow storm in Indianapolis and wanted to have the undercarriage sprayed really well. Trust me, if you take your vert though a high pressure wash, be prepared to get WET! lol
viperbuck93
Viper Owner
I washed mine once and it was by hand (three years ago) I would be to nervous to take it through an automatic car wash, plus it's a gen 1 and would probably leak like &%$#.
white out
Enthusiast
There are a few, new, touchless (gas station style) that my car will fit in (low genIIACR). It's great for a quick wash. Otherwise I have to go to friends' houses to wash & detail.
Nick
Nick
Junkman2008
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Here are some things to consider when using a touchless car wash. First off, they do not get the car completely clean. That I can prove in these videos. What happens with the dirt that remains on the car is even scarier. Check out these videos.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxMLlRlI9Tc[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXROQ_PsL9E&feature=related[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxMLlRlI9Tc[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXROQ_PsL9E&feature=related[/media]
LifeIsGood
Enthusiast
I would never use a commercial car wash for my viper...period 
. I haven't had to put soap and water to it, mostly detail spray, wax and the like. I clean it after a few runs, at least weekly.
. I haven't had to put soap and water to it, mostly detail spray, wax and the like. I clean it after a few runs, at least weekly.Those touchless Lazer car washes are nice to use if you need to clean off the undercarriage after a drive where you got caught in the rain or something. I rarely use them but there are a few around with just a cement floor and no floor rails to worry about. Since it is just jets of water hitting the car there is no damage at all. Automatic Car washes with brushes will give your paint horrible swirls if you use it often.
For the most part if my car gets dirty, I just just go to the manual car wash like the truck stop picture above. VERY important to note, make sure you high pressure wash off the foamy brush before you use it as someone else's dirt can ruin your paint job. Also wipe down the hoses of the brush and wand wash as they may have dirt or grease on them. It's never happened with my Viper (as I have only washed it 5 times in the four years I have owned it. 1 wash per 1,000 miles
but it sure has happened on some nice vehicles I have had when I was younger. Argh!
For the most part if my car gets dirty, I just just go to the manual car wash like the truck stop picture above. VERY important to note, make sure you high pressure wash off the foamy brush before you use it as someone else's dirt can ruin your paint job. Also wipe down the hoses of the brush and wand wash as they may have dirt or grease on them. It's never happened with my Viper (as I have only washed it 5 times in the four years I have owned it. 1 wash per 1,000 miles
but it sure has happened on some nice vehicles I have had when I was younger. Argh!viper067
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It would be like driving my Gen 1 into a swimming pool
Junkman2008
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I would never use a commercial car wash for my viper...period
A lot of people are under the misconception that water is somehow bad for the car. This is so wrong, especially when it comes to washing. Removing dirt with detail spray is far worse than properly washing the car. The reason that washing the car has such a bad rap is because so many people wash incorrectly. If you correctly wash the car utilizing a foam gun and a 2-bucket wash, you will do your paint more justice than using nothing but detail spray to remove the dirt. Also, detail spray should only be used to remove nothing but extremely minor dust, and never dirt. I actually address this in detail in this video series.
One thing that you will always notice about the detailing advice that I give in my videos and on this forum is that none of it is rocket science. Everything that I preach is nothing but common sense and pure logic if you just stop and think about it. There is no magic in what I do or the products I use. Everything is just plain ol' logic.
HHI VIPER
Viper Owner
HHI VIPER
Viper Owner
Takes more time to go to a car wash than it does to wash it in the driveway. On a trip, I always carry soap, small bucket,a microfiber mit and absorber fake shammy. Then I go find a self serve spray wash or a hose at the hotel! My wife thinks I'm obsessed with cleaning my car. I hate driving a dirty vehicle period.
My wife thinks I'm obsessed with cleaning my car. I hate driving a dirty vehicle period.Canyon707
Enthusiast
Car Washes can scratch your paint. I just don't trust anyone cleaning my car.Please be aware that Commercial Car washes can do more harm than good to your beloved viper
bigmack339
Enthusiast
Viper owners are wealthy. How dare you get caught washing your car by yourself. The manual doesn't recommend washing it for that reason. Wake up men.
Black Moon
Enthusiast
Never say never ... my brand new SRT-10 going through
See that big round brush about to comedown on your $80,000 car? That's full of **** and trash from the 4 wheel drive mudder that just pulled thru before you. Do you really want it coming down on your car?
Plus there is a big sign that says not responsible for damage to your car.
If you are too (let's say busy) to wash it have someone do it for you.
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