Hi all, i've got a cute red citigo with white stripes, it is uber cute and all...

But now i developed a kind of phobia of car washes (just a single week on the road, and haven't yet washed her at all...).

Mostly due these cute stripes...

So my question to all sticker owners, who wash the car by machine car washes...

How you'r stripes survive it?

For how long? Any issues?

I'm already prepared to remove them and paint them pernamently, oh my...

Thanks!

I would never put my car through a car wash :-/

But as for the stripes I don't think you have much to worry about I believe they are 3m vinyl stickers so should be quite durable!

But don't quote me on that I'm no expert :-)

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Probably the only car I would put through a car wash would be one which would be taking part in a banger race the next day.

 

Snow foam (Autobrite Magifoam) + cheap noodle mits + drying towels + Bilt Hamber clay bar + optional polish + wax or sealant.

snow foam.... Not until u use it do u realise how wonderful it really is... Brush wash machines will wreck the clear coat, and make ur car look 5ys older than it is instantly...

Not to derail, but since we're on mechanical carwashes: other than them, what's the best way to clean the underside after winter?

get the car on some ramps and power hose.....

Most automatic car washes now use soft foam/rubber strips rather than bristles so are less aggressive on a car anyway. It's not so much the fact that a car wash does damage, it's the fact paint is not as hard as it used to be due to being water based.

Most automatic car washes now use soft foam/rubber strips rather than bristles so are less aggressive on a car anyway. It's not so much the fact that a car wash does damage, it's the fact paint is not as hard as it used to be due to being water based.

 

I was asked before my last trip into a mechanical wash to make sure i removed my aerial,

because i didnt and it got broken off in it, and i didnt notice, it would wreck the NEXT car in, as it would be stuck in the "not very soft" rubber bristles.

 

made me think while i was in it - what about the arsehole who went through it before me? did he still have an aerial when he left????

 

never been in one since, coming on 3 years, except with work van - dont mind if that gets wrecked in there...

Going back to OP question, the stripes are fine. I have had plenty of cars with decals (OEM) and never had an issue.

Even all our sign written vehicles in work with aftermarket signs/stripes/decals are fine. Need to be careful with some really high power jet washes if an edge did lift!

Regards

Or Hot Jet Washes - We have a set up at work for degreasing rail switches that chucks high pressure water at 85- 95 Celsius.

 

one of the crews decised to wash their van with it one day,

did a fantastic job of stripping except the paint... but it did strip the safety decals off the back doors

Fleet manager wasnt overly chuffed when he saw it!