Fieros at a Car Wash possible? (Page 1/2)
Dennis LaGrua JUN 04, 03:08 PM
I've always washed my Fiero myself but would like to use a car wash once in a while. I've taken my Fiero through the speedy car washes at the large convenience centers where the brushes circle the car and where there is no track to pull it along. That worked out OK but my local car wash guy tells me that a Fiero with a wing even with stock suspension is too low to go through the car wash pulled on a track without damage. Has anyone else heard of anything like this? True or false

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

IMSA GT JUN 04, 03:27 PM
It was no myth back in the day. I've never tried to take the Fiero through a car was though.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 06-04-2022).]

Dennis LaGrua JUN 04, 03:38 PM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:

It was no myth back in the day. I've never tried to take the Fiero through a car was though.






Thank you that says it all. I guess we'll have to stick with the DIY car wash places that use the pressure washing wands or the car washes where the car stays stationary and the brushes rotate around it. Quite frankly when its 85* outside and sunny, its not always a pleasure hand washing a car.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

IMSA GT JUN 04, 03:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:


Thank you that says it all. I guess we'll have to stick with the DIY car wash places that use the pressure washing wands or the car washes where the car stays stationary and the brushes rotate around it. Quite frankly when its 85* outside and sunny, its not always a pleasure hand washing a car.




Exactly. Here in the central valley, we get up to 104 for weeks at a time and it's not even worth washing the car at that point. By the time you get around to soaping even 1/4 of the car, the heat dries the soap and then it's a real mess.

However, if you can find a trackless car wash like this, you'll be set. I believe some gas stations have these where you stay stationary and the brushes move around the car.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 06-04-2022).]

theogre JUN 04, 05:47 PM
If have proper ground clearance, should work w/ most auto washers. Some have "chain" and guide(s) that "pushes" a wheel are "made wrong" and many cars have issues not just Fiero...

Like Any "Dropped" cars will have problems. IE same problem w/ crossing "DOT Approved" speed bumps etc. (Most state DOT follow US DOT for signs, speed bump shape, etc, in MUTCD, Many states have thier own "MUTCD" too w/ Some online, other not. Other Counties have similar rules.)

Any w/ radio antennas should avoid brush types. Most so w/ Fiero and other w/ same thin antennas because many bushes will rip them out. If has antenna w/ coil in the middle and other shapes even more likely to loose them.
Worse, the broken antennas often wreck the car and anyone behind them.

Fiero GT wings are about same as others but mounted to "Fiberglass" deck and maybe wreck by bushes. any sail panels maybe damage too because of plastic used.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 06-04-2022).]

skywurz JUN 04, 06:55 PM
My Fiero has been fine at the gas station carwash... Except the time it ripped off my side scoop but it was already cracked.
css9450 JUN 04, 07:30 PM
The driprail also is vulnerable, since it's just kind of clipped kin and not welded like on a regular car. Longtime Fiero owners Bob and Donna L. had a story about theirs getting ripped off (and twisted like a pretzel) by a car wash.
westu37 JUN 05, 08:51 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

I've always washed my Fiero myself but would like to use a car wash once in a while. I've taken my Fiero through the speedy car washes at the large convenience centers where the brushes circle the car and where there is no track to pull it along. That worked out OK but my local car wash guy tells me that a Fiero with a wing even with stock suspension is too low to go through the car wash pulled on a track without damage. Has anyone else heard of anything like this? True or false




I lived in Manville, and the "car wash on main street there near Kennedy blvd might work for you. It's the DIY type with power washer and foaming options. Otherwise I got myself a CAT electric power washer for use at my new home in PA. The CAT power washer also came with a "foam cannon" specifically for washing the car. I just have to shamois it dry

Wes
da.slyboy JUN 06, 01:45 AM
recently a "Tommy's Car wash entered the area and uses more of a conveyor belt method vs the guided track. Tried another auto car was at one time and instantly bottomed out on the traditional track method. Might be willing to try that place after driving on a winter day.

[This message has been edited by da.slyboy (edited 06-06-2022).]

Dennis LaGrua JUN 06, 04:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:


Exactly. Here in the central valley, we get up to 104 for weeks at a time and it's not even worth washing the car at that point. By the time you get around to soaping even 1/4 of the car, the heat dries the soap and then it's a real mess.

However, if you can find a trackless car wash like this, you'll be set. I believe some gas stations have these where you stay stationary and the brushes move around the car.





I've gone through those gas station/convenience store car washes like at Sheetz and they did no damage to my 87GT. As of late though I am preferring the power wash wand that I can use at home or at the DIY stall car washes. A leaf blower with a few chamois cloths can take care of the drying.
In summation DO NOT take your Fiero through a car wash that uses a channel track to pull you through. Apparently the Fiero is not the right car for this.

UPDATE: 6/25/22 While on the way to Fieros at Carlisle, I found a new drive through car wash that was brushless and it did a fantastic job. You drive in and high pressure nozzles on a wand using water circle the vehicle, then it repeats with water with detergent twice, next the power wash rinse cycle begins and finally high pressure air blows over the car removing over 90% of the water on the car. My Fiero came out sparking clean, even the wheels were cleaned as well. No brushes used, just a high pressure system and no damage to the car. I wish we had that system here in my state.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 06-25-2022).]