-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Model Y Automatic Car Washes
- Thread starter Senior
- Start date
It depends how particular you are about maintaining the finish on your new Tesla Model Y. The automated car washes with brushes will leave micro scratches in the finish. The high pressure water and soap that is applied may come in contact with the side repeater cameras mounted in the front fenders and the rear camera. The ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers have been removed by Tesla so that is one less concern when washing.
The car washes that advertise as being touch less (no brushes) tend to use cleaning agents with a very high pH. This has been proven to damage and discolor the black door and window trim, resulting in either an oil slick rainbow effect or else a mottled brown appearance of the anodized finish on trim of the Tesla Model Y. (The Tesla Model Y Owner's Manual provides warning against using cleaning agents with a very high pH.)
Depending on your wheel and tire configuration the automated car wash vehicle track can scratch the wheels. You can probably safely use the self wash bay at the car wash and that may suffice. (I would skip the pre-wash step unless you verify the pH of this cleaner, just use the water and soap. Avoid spraying the cameras directly and don't use the large bristle brush that is meant for scrubbing truck beds, RVs and elephants.)
You can wash the Tesla Model Y at home, there are two preferred methods:
1) Use a rinse less car wash product such as Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine (Recommended supplies: one 5 gallon bucket with a good grit guard, a cross cut sponge or a stack of microfiber wash cloths and microfiber towels to dry the vehicle panels.) If you regularly keep up with cleaning the exterior the rinse less wash method can keep the vehicle looking good in between using the car wash or pressure washer. (Specifically developed to conserve water, especially for use in areas with water use restrictions the rinse less car wash products enable you to wash the vehicle using only a couple of gallons of water. The Tesla Model Y has lots of glass; the rinse less car wash method effectively cleans all of the exterior glass surfaces. )
2) Use a small, low power pressure washer (Recommended supplies: a soap cannon attachment for the power washer, a wash mitt or sponge, two buckets and a good grit guard. Several large microfiber towels to dry off the vehicle after washing.)
The car washes that advertise as being touch less (no brushes) tend to use cleaning agents with a very high pH. This has been proven to damage and discolor the black door and window trim, resulting in either an oil slick rainbow effect or else a mottled brown appearance of the anodized finish on trim of the Tesla Model Y. (The Tesla Model Y Owner's Manual provides warning against using cleaning agents with a very high pH.)
Depending on your wheel and tire configuration the automated car wash vehicle track can scratch the wheels. You can probably safely use the self wash bay at the car wash and that may suffice. (I would skip the pre-wash step unless you verify the pH of this cleaner, just use the water and soap. Avoid spraying the cameras directly and don't use the large bristle brush that is meant for scrubbing truck beds, RVs and elephants.)
You can wash the Tesla Model Y at home, there are two preferred methods:
1) Use a rinse less car wash product such as Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine (Recommended supplies: one 5 gallon bucket with a good grit guard, a cross cut sponge or a stack of microfiber wash cloths and microfiber towels to dry the vehicle panels.) If you regularly keep up with cleaning the exterior the rinse less wash method can keep the vehicle looking good in between using the car wash or pressure washer. (Specifically developed to conserve water, especially for use in areas with water use restrictions the rinse less car wash products enable you to wash the vehicle using only a couple of gallons of water. The Tesla Model Y has lots of glass; the rinse less car wash method effectively cleans all of the exterior glass surfaces. )
2) Use a small, low power pressure washer (Recommended supplies: a soap cannon attachment for the power washer, a wash mitt or sponge, two buckets and a good grit guard. Several large microfiber towels to dry off the vehicle after washing.)
Last edited:
Upvote
0
AS9.9.
Member
I use touchless car washes only. They don't do the greatest job, but it is better than nothing. I used to religiously wash my car by hand with a pressure washer, mits, etc., but that was when I ceramic coated my vehicles and spent a good amount of time maintaining them. A touchless carwash is the easiest way to do it, and safest compared to a normal brush carwash that is beating the life out the paint.
It will stain the black metal trim, but a quick wipe with WD-40 removes it if that is a big issue for you.
It will stain the black metal trim, but a quick wipe with WD-40 removes it if that is a big issue for you.
Upvote
0
No one knows the long term effect of running your Tesla Model Y vehicle through a touchless automated car wash.
When hand washing, the Tesla Model Y Owner's Manual cautions:
"If using a pressure washer, maintain a distance of at least 12" (30 cm) between the nozzle and the surface of Model Y. Avoid aiming the water jet directly at parking sensors (if equipped). Keep the nozzle moving and do not concentrate the water jet on any one area."
"Do not aim water hoses directly at windows, door, or hood seals or at electronic modules or exposed cabling."
"Do not use chemical based wheel cleaners or pre-wash products. These can damage the finish on the wheels."
Many Tesla Model Y Owner's have documented the damage that resulted to the black anodized finish on the door and window trim of their Model Y vehicles when they used a touchless car wash that applied caustic, very alkaline (high pH) cleaning agents to loosen the dirt and contaminants from the exterior of the vehicle.
The Tesla Model Y Owner's Manual contains the following cautionary statements concerning cleaning the exterior of the Tesla Model Y:
"Do not use hot water, detergents, or highly alkaline or caustic cleaning products, especially those containing hydroxide."
"If washing in an automatic car wash, use touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model Y. Some touchless car washes use caustic solutions that, over time, can cause discoloration of decorative exterior trim. Avoid exposure to soaps and chemicals above pH 13. If unsure, check the product label or ask the staff at the car wash. Damage caused by improper washing is not covered by the warranty."
Products such as WD-40 and Mothers Back to Black can cover the discoloration damage to the trim but will have to be periodically reapplied.
When hand washing, the Tesla Model Y Owner's Manual cautions:
"If using a pressure washer, maintain a distance of at least 12" (30 cm) between the nozzle and the surface of Model Y. Avoid aiming the water jet directly at parking sensors (if equipped). Keep the nozzle moving and do not concentrate the water jet on any one area."
"Do not aim water hoses directly at windows, door, or hood seals or at electronic modules or exposed cabling."
"Do not use chemical based wheel cleaners or pre-wash products. These can damage the finish on the wheels."
Many Tesla Model Y Owner's have documented the damage that resulted to the black anodized finish on the door and window trim of their Model Y vehicles when they used a touchless car wash that applied caustic, very alkaline (high pH) cleaning agents to loosen the dirt and contaminants from the exterior of the vehicle.
The Tesla Model Y Owner's Manual contains the following cautionary statements concerning cleaning the exterior of the Tesla Model Y:
"Do not use hot water, detergents, or highly alkaline or caustic cleaning products, especially those containing hydroxide."
"If washing in an automatic car wash, use touchless car washes only. These car washes have no parts (brushes, etc.) that touch the surfaces of Model Y. Some touchless car washes use caustic solutions that, over time, can cause discoloration of decorative exterior trim. Avoid exposure to soaps and chemicals above pH 13. If unsure, check the product label or ask the staff at the car wash. Damage caused by improper washing is not covered by the warranty."
Products such as WD-40 and Mothers Back to Black can cover the discoloration damage to the trim but will have to be periodically reapplied.
Upvote
0
After every rainy days or car wash. or any water splash.
If your black trims are discolored, it might be better to use the following:
Last edited:
Upvote
0
It's a shame that Tesla paint is so delicate that these warnings are necessary. Hopefully when they start to retrofit some of the other factories with the Berlin paint system the it will be a little less delicate.
Upvote
0
Not just Tesla. All cars paint sucks these days due to the EPA regulation.
Upvote
0
Wattsisname
MY Red/White/Gems
Agreed ( to some extent). We did not know of the environmental damage cause by cellulose paints or that to the sprayers health.....but when polished with a good hard wax... what a finish. Exhausting work though
Upvote
0
Similar threads
