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...

Did this have anything to do with it?
http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pu...kin_lasers.jpg

Seriously, we don't have anything like that around here, but I will avoid it like a plague if I'm traveling!:ugh2:

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

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

What is a laser car wash?

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.

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???

So good.

Damn what an idiot.

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.

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

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.

man guys, wash it yourself!!!!

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

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

i live in a BARRACKS, now complaining about being in an apartment and not being able to wash the car by hand is just stupid. you know what i do? i find a car wash that has one of those over head powerwasher gun things and a foam broom. i use the gun to get the car wet, then high pressure soap (reasonable distance so not to damage anything) and i bring my OWN bucket, ether armorall ultrashine or ICE washing soap, mixed with rain X wash and wax carnauba wax beads. then i wash the car by hand from top to bottom, with 2 separate mits (have fluffy and a mesh side for scrubbing) then i use the spray gun thing again to rinse the whole car. dont use there built in "wax" feature on the sprayer, that **** gets all over your windows and its impossible to get off. hand dry the car with some microfiber towels and finish up however you want! wax, bar.... w/e it needs i guess. personally i use meguiars swirlX, meguiars stratchX 2.0, and ether NXT nanotech 2.0 wax, or eagle one nanowax, followed up by eagleone nanowax spray (works like rainx for the whole car) EVERY WEEK. then for some finishing touches use some meguiars hot rims aluminum cleaner, and turtlewax ice tire shine. costs me like 10 bucks at the car wash thing to use the sprayer for the time im there, and however much it costs to periodicly replenish my stock of supplies (lasts a long time) and a whopping 2.5 hours of my precious time each week........ if you dont have a wash like that near your house, find one, if your too lazy to drive all the way to one.... use a hose, still have excuses after that? stop driving a nice car, and sell it to someone that is willing to take car of it.

Yeah, exactly. When I lived in an apartment I went to those stalls to wash my car. Brought my own buckets and cleaning stuff, and just used their hose for water. It's nice since it is somewhat closed in you don't need to worry about debris flying around while your washing your car if it is windy.

Only shitty thing is I would spend about $5 and I would only use water, but I guess that isn't too bad.