Hi. Please forgive me if this has already been asked but I couldn't seem to find it. The question is, will an automatic touchless carwash damage my new Element? It's an LX, the manual says not to put wax on the black panels and I am assuming they are referring to a paste wax and not the spray-on wax that these machines apply. In addition, are there any other concerns with this type of wash? Thanks in advance...

Go for it.

Touchless is fine.

Welcome to the EOC!

I've never had a problem with my LX the few times I've washed it the past 3 years.

It still looks cleaner than Gisele's though....

Welcome to the boards.

ps: fill out your profile.

fcz1-

Love the avatar; I may have to borrow it!

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I'm cheap- I schedule oil changes or maintanence when the car needs cleaned for the free dealership service. That way it is a pretty good start and either my husband or I can do the rest.

~T

Just be carefull if you have any accessories like the bug deflector. You would not want to go through a car was with one of those mounted on the front.

John

fcz1-

Love the avatar; I may have to borrow it!

Have at it, we could use the support!

The question is, will an automatic touchless carwash damage my new Element?...
It won't damage the panels... but if there is a high concentration of wax in the touchless carwash you visit it will leave a white residue on your panels or at least it has on my black panels. I did it once and will never do it again. It looked great right away but the next day the panels looked chalky and very weathered. I ran my finger over a panel and it came right off. It must have been the wax. I did a hand wash with Dawn and it took the residue off.

Avatar officially changed- thanks fcz1 :D

We actually always hand washed our black '03 w/panels because of everything that has been discussed in this thread. I actually forgot about those issues since I now have the painted panels; now I remember one of the many reasons we selected an EX. Good luck!

Thanks everyone!