Gobi Rack and Car Washes?

Got my rack back in July! Do you guys use mechanical car washes with your rack? I don't really have the option of hand washing since I live in an Apt. Been hesitant to hit the Automatic wash place down the road?

Any info is appreciated

 

No, I don't. Even for my other car. I don't trust that the brushes are clean. Plus, I don't think my Runner would fit the rails that are used to drag a vehicle through the machine. I go with a big bag of quarters to the manual washes and take care of it myself.

 

I use a touchless automatic. I would not trust a soft-touch or "scratch-o-matic". I had a Yakima Off-grid rack and never had issues.

I'm in an apartment as well. I use a ceramic detailer (Turtle Wax) afterward if I want it to really look nice. On the paint, not the rack.

 

I hand wash mine but when I drive by those automatic ones I see a lot of signs saying you will be responsible for damaging their shit if you drive through with a rack.

Not worth the chance if you ask me.

 

Do not go through a auto car wash with or without a rack.

 

go to a 100% hand car wash place thats what i do little more money , i have the pro rack on my Runner and do not want to chance it

 

I like them brushes - really knocks the mud off my 4Runner.
They even get up under the rear spoiler that most touchfree car washes don't hit.

 

The touchless automatic I usually go to has a sprayer that comes down the back of the truck and blasts it at an upward angle. It does a pretty good job. I usually go to a DIY car wash to get the mud and bugs off first if it's really dirty.

 

I mostly use the DIY pressure washer and foaming brush car wash as that's what is available nearest to me. I figure I spend about $5 to $7 in quarters.

If in the big city (Springfield - MO or Mountain Home - AR) I'll occasionally stop at a formal car wash. I've always found that the brush / flappy cloth panels knock the dirt off better than the touchless ones though.

No issues with my LFD panels but if I owned a Gobi or Prinsu, I'd stick with a touchless car was after measuring the height of the rack and vehicle to make sure it fits.


From the other forum:

$15 carwash = $4047.18 in damage (Baja Roof Rack w/ lights)

 

Yikes...man, I would be so pissed at myself!

 

I can't believe that guy expected the car wash to help. It's his own fault! Why would they apologize for his mistake? They should charge him for any repairs they need to make.

EDIT: this is exactly the reason I only use the touchless automatic, and many folks don't even trust those.