The Ford Barn

McMimmcs · 10-12-2021, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vern

"As a side note, the instruction book that came with our new Toyota said not to take the car to a car wash because the brushes would degrade the finish."

I've wondered if that is why clear coat is peeling on so many cars.

Take it to the brushless wash! Brush type are a thing of the past!

CatMan1 · 10-12-2021, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eccentric Old Guy

Yes, I was speaking of the coin operated car wash with the pressurized wand. I've never done it, but have been tempted. So far, all I've done is use a soft cotton rag and a water mist, followed by a terry bath towel to dry....all used very gently.

I see there is a video by Paul Shinn on YouTube with cleaning advice. Anyone here fans of him?
https://youtu.be/ZaO4-4aa9fQ

If you do, and I haven't, the car wash has the 'spot free rinse' option that might not be as bad.....maybe.... I saw a video on the 'Model A Archives' youtube channel where they did wash it in such a manner.

old ugly · 10-12-2021, 10:07 AM

here in alberta if you drive a gravel/dirt road the clay will glue its self to your car and when it drys you won't get it off. under the car needs to be washed with a hose and maybe a pressure washer. i try to avoid gravel roads.

the body i wash with a hand spray bottle, small amount of soap/water and rag, just a light spray to dampen the surface. i don't like running the hose on it as the water leaks into all the seams and into the car.

ou

JKY · 10-12-2021, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

Take it to the brushless wash! Brush type are a thing of the past!

That's odd, the brush type are about the only thing we have around here.

CarlG · 10-12-2021, 02:10 PM

I use the hand wand coin operated high pressure wash only after one of our tours that typically includes gravel roads. Otherwise, a spray bottle of RainX and a yellow micro-fiber towel (from Costco) does the job quite well.

dansluck · 10-12-2021, 03:49 PM

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Would wash your Grandmothers antique China in the dish washer?

I would. When my 4 brothers visited Gran Ma, we were served pancakes on tin plates and syrup from a Jack Daniels bottle. She wanted boys to be boys. Born in 1868 she died in 1972. She was great. I live on dirt roads when it gets muddy I go to the car wash and spray off the under side.

Chris in WNC · 10-12-2021, 05:21 PM

I drove my Tudor on Ormond Beach for several years on Thanksgiving weekend.

Always took it after to the wand car wash for some careful cleanup, focused mostly on the undercarriage......

AL in NY · 10-12-2021, 05:42 PM

WHAT!!!! Are you kidding!!!! I wash it myself!!!!

redmodelt · 10-12-2021, 08:44 PM

Many many years ago, took my 1962 VW Microbus (Komby) through the brush type car wash. The top roller/brush got caught on the windshield over hang (which would be like the sun visor on an A)! Was not a happy camper!

Eccentric Old Guy · 10-13-2021, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL in NY

WHAT!!!! Are you kidding!!!! I wash it myself!!!!

Hmmmm.....a self-service car wash isn't doing it yourself?

Gene F · 10-13-2021, 06:02 PM

It would be my choice of last resort. Did you know that these wand car washes are 99% recycled water that goes through a filter?

1crosscut · 10-13-2021, 07:47 PM

I don't see an issue if you are careful to keep water out of places you don't want it to go like around your doors and into the interior. Keep a towel with you to dry things off during and afterwards. If you wash your engine compartment be prepared to dry out your distributor if it gets wet inside. A bit of caution and it shouldn't be a problem.
If you wash your undercarriage I would suggest greasing it afterwards to push out any water that gets into things.

I've washed quite a few A's using a power washer to get years of grease and grime off of them prior to working on them. Never had one not start afterwards due to water and have not damaged anything else during the process.

Russ/40 · 10-14-2021, 10:05 AM

Well, seeing as I have no top, the obvious answer is no to the carwash. I also say no to water. Never let the stuff touch my truck.

todd3131 · 10-14-2021, 10:28 AM

The only issue I have ever had in using a spray washer is the soap on single stage enamel it can raise hell with it. I always just use water and the ro water and never and issue. Bother cars are converts and I wash with the tops down you can be carefull with them..

Redbird · 10-14-2021, 10:35 AM

Only for tires, wheels, and undercarriage!

10-12-2021, 10:07 AM	#23
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? here in alberta if you drive a gravel/dirt road the clay will glue its self to your car and when it drys you won't get it off. under the car needs to be washed with a hose and maybe a pressure washer. i try to avoid gravel roads. the body i wash with a hand spray bottle, small amount of soap/water and rag, just a light spray to dampen the surface. i don't like running the hose on it as the water leaks into all the seams and into the car. ou

10-12-2021, 02:10 PM	#25
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? I use the hand wand coin operated high pressure wash only after one of our tours that typically includes gravel roads. Otherwise, a spray bottle of RainX and a yellow micro-fiber towel (from Costco) does the job quite well. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

10-12-2021, 03:49 PM	#26
dansluck Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Nevada Posts: 217	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Would wash your Grandmothers antique China in the dish washer? I would. When my 4 brothers visited Gran Ma, we were served pancakes on tin plates and syrup from a Jack Daniels bottle. She wanted boys to be boys. Born in 1868 she died in 1972. She was great. I live on dirt roads when it gets muddy I go to the car wash and spray off the under side.

10-12-2021, 05:21 PM	#27
Chris in WNC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Spruce Pine, NC Posts: 1,458	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? I drove my Tudor on Ormond Beach for several years on Thanksgiving weekend. Always took it after to the wand car wash for some careful cleanup, focused mostly on the undercarriage...... __________________ our next Model A is out there in the unknown......

10-12-2021, 05:42 PM	#28
AL in NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Upstate New York Posts: 1,160	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? WHAT!!!! Are you kidding!!!! I wash it myself!!!! __________________ AL in NY

10-12-2021, 08:44 PM	#29
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,340	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? Many many years ago, took my 1962 VW Microbus (Komby) through the brush type car wash. The top roller/brush got caught on the windshield over hang (which would be like the sun visor on an A)! Was not a happy camper! __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

10-13-2021, 06:02 PM	#31
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,958	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? It would be my choice of last resort. Did you know that these wand car washes are 99% recycled water that goes through a filter?

10-13-2021, 07:47 PM	#32
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,907	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? I don't see an issue if you are careful to keep water out of places you don't want it to go like around your doors and into the interior. Keep a towel with you to dry things off during and afterwards. If you wash your engine compartment be prepared to dry out your distributor if it gets wet inside. A bit of caution and it shouldn't be a problem. If you wash your undercarriage I would suggest greasing it afterwards to push out any water that gets into things. I've washed quite a few A's using a power washer to get years of grease and grime off of them prior to working on them. Never had one not start afterwards due to water and have not damaged anything else during the process. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

10-14-2021, 10:05 AM	#33
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? Well, seeing as I have no top, the obvious answer is no to the carwash. I also say no to water. Never let the stuff touch my truck.

10-14-2021, 10:28 AM	#34
todd3131 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: cedar rapids iowa Posts: 527	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? The only issue I have ever had in using a spray washer is the soap on single stage enamel it can raise hell with it. I always just use water and the ro water and never and issue. Bother cars are converts and I wash with the tops down you can be carefull with them..

10-14-2021, 10:35 AM	#35
Redbird Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 535	Re: Do you take your Model A to the local self serve car wash? Only for tires, wheels, and undercarriage!