Beware of the laser wash

wilsonp · 12-20-2010, 07:33 PM

So I took the 370Z to the laser wash for the second time because I had some red mud on the wheels and a lot of "salt" spray from the recent snow we had and I was worried it would rust away (+1 to the NSX

).

I pulled in and turned off the engine. About the second time around there was a loud bang and suddenly a little square was visible in the passenger side mirror. I couldn't figure out what it was at first (I told my wife the filler lid is oval) and then I realized...

After the blow dryer stopped, I got out and retrieved the fuel filler lid from the front of the wash area where it had been blown. It had snapped clean off the hinge.

Looking at it, it is incredibly cheaply made. I'm guessing they saved a few hundred dollars in two years of sales not putting much plastic there.

I thought the lid didn't unlock when the engine was turned off (I'll test later) but I think it did. Then the first spray pushed on the lid, popping it up. Then the second spray from behind flipped it open and ripped it off.

I've glued it back on temporarily with some super glue, and JB Kwik and some construction glue in the buttress spaces, so its probably stronger than factory, but I'm still ordering another one.

And I'll make sure I lock everything when I'm at the laser wash...

ProfessorDave · 12-20-2010, 07:39 PM

Did this have anything to do with it?

Seriously, we don't have anything like that around here, but I will avoid it like a plague if I'm traveling!

spearfish25 · 12-20-2010, 08:00 PM

Beware of this too. (Click ahead to 55 seconds)

AllForTheCash · 12-20-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Beware of this too. (Click ahead to 55 seconds)

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2004YZFR1 · 12-20-2010, 08:44 PM

What is a laser car wash?

CrownR426 · 12-20-2010, 08:54 PM

I always go to hand car wash that I know will take care of me or I wash it myself.
This winter I may try the touchless car wash, I know AK recommended and I have one that's 10 min. away.

Greed · 12-20-2010, 09:20 PM

Geez. What was it on his windshield that he couldn't wait to pull off?

And I can't believe the guy in the truck behind this guy... after witnessing what he saw, he still moves his truck in for a wash???

frost · 12-20-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Beware of this too. (Click ahead to 55 seconds)

So good.

Lemers · 12-20-2010, 10:26 PM

Damn what an idiot.

wilsonp · 12-21-2010, 02:18 AM

A laser car wash is the same as a touchless car wash, because it uses sensors to move around the car.

And I verified on my car the lid is unlocked when I cut off the engine.

Lemers · 12-21-2010, 02:27 AM

Yes that's how you fuel the gas tank. It locks if you lock the doors

Rhinetom · 12-21-2010, 09:26 AM

I dinged up one of my front wheels the first week I had the car. The issue was with the tire guide in the wash. I have since found a lazar wash with nothing on the floor. So far, no issues.

fuct · 12-21-2010, 12:44 PM

man guys, wash it yourself!!!!

TX_370 · 12-21-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Beware of this too. (Click ahead to 55 seconds)

This guy deserved it for being a f'in retard!

Strangler · 12-21-2010, 07:39 PM

Can't really wash it yourself if you live in an apartment.

12-20-2010, 07:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
wilsonp A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,134 Drives: 2009 Touring Sp Nav Rep Power: 17	Beware of the laser wash So I took the 370Z to the laser wash for the second time because I had some red mud on the wheels and a lot of "salt" spray from the recent snow we had and I was worried it would rust away (+1 to the NSX ). I pulled in and turned off the engine. About the second time around there was a loud bang and suddenly a little square was visible in the passenger side mirror. I couldn't figure out what it was at first (I told my wife the filler lid is oval) and then I realized... After the blow dryer stopped, I got out and retrieved the fuel filler lid from the front of the wash area where it had been blown. It had snapped clean off the hinge. Looking at it, it is incredibly cheaply made. I'm guessing they saved a few hundred dollars in two years of sales not putting much plastic there. I thought the lid didn't unlock when the engine was turned off (I'll test later) but I think it did. Then the first spray pushed on the lid, popping it up. Then the second spray from behind flipped it open and ripped it off. I've glued it back on temporarily with some super glue, and JB Kwik and some construction glue in the buttress spaces, so its probably stronger than factory, but I'm still ordering another one. And I'll make sure I lock everything when I'm at the laser wash... __________________ 2014 Cayman S PDK Sport Chrono White/Black Was 2009 370Z Touring Sport+Nav 7AT Metallic Black/Persimmon Was 1991 NSX Auto Black/Black

12-20-2010, 07:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	Did this have anything to do with it? Seriously, we don't have anything like that around here, but I will avoid it like a plague if I'm traveling! __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

12-20-2010, 08:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Beware of this too. (Click ahead to 55 seconds) __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

12-20-2010, 08:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 848	I always go to hand car wash that I know will take care of me or I wash it myself. This winter I may try the touchless car wash, I know AK recommended and I have one that's 10 min. away. __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

12-20-2010, 10:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Lemers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Izmir, Turkey Posts: 15,371 Drives: 2012 Traverse LTZ Rep Power: 52	Damn what an idiot. __________________ 2010 Black Cherry Touring/Sport/Nav Now - 2012 Travese LTZ until I leave for Turkey

12-20-2010, 08:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
2004YZFR1 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 308 Drives: 09 370Z yellow,auto Rep Power: 15	What is a laser car wash?

12-20-2010, 09:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Greed Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 95 Drives: 2009 370z 01/18/09 Rep Power: 16	Geez. What was it on his windshield that he couldn't wait to pull off? And I can't believe the guy in the truck behind this guy... after witnessing what he saw, he still moves his truck in for a wash???

12-21-2010, 02:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
wilsonp A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,134 Drives: 2009 Touring Sp Nav Rep Power: 17	A laser car wash is the same as a touchless car wash, because it uses sensors to move around the car. And I verified on my car the lid is unlocked when I cut off the engine. __________________ 2014 Cayman S PDK Sport Chrono White/Black Was 2009 370Z Touring Sport+Nav 7AT Metallic Black/Persimmon Was 1991 NSX Auto Black/Black

12-21-2010, 02:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
Lemers A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Izmir, Turkey Posts: 15,371 Drives: 2012 Traverse LTZ Rep Power: 52	Yes that's how you fuel the gas tank. It locks if you lock the doors __________________ 2010 Black Cherry Touring/Sport/Nav Now - 2012 Travese LTZ until I leave for Turkey

12-21-2010, 09:26 AM	#12 (permalink)
Rhinetom Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: United States Posts: 92 Drives: 09 370Z auto, red Rep Power: 16	I dinged up one of my front wheels the first week I had the car. The issue was with the tire guide in the wash. I have since found a lazar wash with nothing on the floor. So far, no issues.

12-21-2010, 12:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	man guys, wash it yourself!!!!

12-21-2010, 07:39 PM	#15 (permalink)
Strangler Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: CA Posts: 260 Drives: 10 370z Touring 6MT Rep Power: 15	Can't really wash it yourself if you live in an apartment.

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