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MG ZR ZS ZT Technical - Can I put my 180 through a carwash??

Anyone know if I can put my 180 through a car wash, bored of jet washing and never been a fan of hand washing
Kev

I'm sure many do, but I hope that the paint on the Z's is stronger than the paint on the F.

The main reasons to handwash, IMO, are that it is the least damaging, the most thorough, and is the time that you see any little paint chips that need early attention.

That said, I'm not nearly as thorough as many. Wash every fortnight and polish and gloss every ?4 months is all my F gets.
David Bainbridge

Kev, which model, and specifically which spoiler do you have ? I've just taken delivery of a 180 5 door and learnt from a colleague today that he puts his identical one through the carwash OK. However the 4 door model with the BIG spoiler I would not risk.....
David

I put my ZT, complete with big spoiler thru car wash no probs. Mind you I also put my wifes Astra Convertible thru!
Eric

I thought you could only put company cars through car washes - who else would want ot bugger the paintwork?
Patrick Beet

yes it is the 4 door with the extreme spolier
Kev

Kev,

Me too (4 door 180 with spoiler), and i haven't tried it yet (and am unlikely to due to potential damage). The 'usual' sign by the entrance stating that the garage isn't responsible for any damage and the warning about spoilers is enough for me to use a jet wash or more often than not, by hand.

SF
Scarlet Fever

One cold day I will just say bolx and throw it through our newly instaled BP car wash, at the end of the day car washes have scensors to detect car profiles and to be honest the spoiler seems pretty tightly fitted. Will let you know!!, either that or look out for a rather sad looking 180 around West Yorkshire
Kev

Er I wouldn't put your MG/Rover through a car wash.
The problem is not with spoilers being mangled, but the car wash brushes scuffing the paint work. Little bits of grit also get caught in the brush fibres which can lead to some interesting scratches.

Also MG Rover's clear coat is not the toughest in the world! Yes they do vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and Rovers is soft. UK Nissan's clearcoat is as hard as nails (terrible looking cars though).
As Patrick said you only put company cars thru them.

Pro
ProMGR

Think there is a bit in the owners manual that says 'dont do it'
Kelvin

Why not use the many hand wash centres around the country that charge about a fiver for a good wash (approx 15 minutes). They do a full valet service, too, if you're prepared to leave the car for a while.
And in Summer, dare I say, the young ladies that work in these places are often the draw card for sad old men!
Martin

Yeah, sod the spoiler. The paint isn't bolted on.
David Bainbridge

Five quid for a hand job! Sounds about right.
Ted Newman

Ted,

Are you buying or selling at that price?

Cheers


Patrick
Patrick Beet

Patrick

LOL but I was thinking the guy who made the original post was in need of this info:-)

Ted
Ted Newman

There is apparently what is ostensibly a car-cleaning place in (I think) Wakefield, proudly advertising itself with a big sign saying "Mr Hand-Job!"

Could hardly drive for laughing when I passed it. Worth getting a photo to send to Private Eye sometime.

Diggers
Diggers

Diggers,

Are you dure it's a carwash they are advertising?
ProMGR

Eric from Northumberland puts his wifes Astra Convertible through a car wash ?..... I can only imagine the outcome if I put my F through ...... wet suit , goggles , flippers , and thats just for starters !!!!
D Jamieson

This thread was discussed between 11/03/2003 and 15/03/2003

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