Can I take my 6.1 Ocean with awning into a general car wash

latemrsb plus one · Nov 23, 2023

Hello all,
Might sound like a dumb question, but I thought I would ask before I try.
If yes, any tips.

Many thanks

Late Mrs B

colintfcolintf · Nov 23, 2023

Personally, I wouldn’t!

WelshGas · Nov 23, 2023

latemrsb plus one said:
Hello all,
Might sound like a dumb question, but I thought I would ask before I try.
If yes, any tips.

Many thanks

Late Mrs B

Depends totally on the type of car wash as either the awning could be damaged or the awning could damage the car wash.

There are non- brush type car washes that can be used to avoid any damage.

WelshGas · Nov 23, 2023

KevH · Nov 23, 2023

Absolutely avoid automatic brush car washes, imo.
Lost far too many bits and pieces over the years to risk my new very expensive toy

CaliforniaSeb · Nov 23, 2023

Two bits of black trim either side off the front window screen came lose on my van. They were replaced under warranty. I was shocked to see that they are held on with double sided sticky tape. My guess is that those would come right of if the brushes caught them when doing the window screen

ParachuteMan · Nov 23, 2023

To be honest, I would do it all myself by hand. It may be a bit lengthy but you will immediately notice any scratches and blemishes which you can sort out there are then. I use the jetwash to clean the wheel arches and underneath, but by hand for the body.

GrumpyGranddad · Nov 23, 2023

latemrsb plus one said:
Hello all,
Might sound like a dumb question, but I thought I would ask before I try.
If yes, any tips.

Many thanks

Late Mrs B

I wouldn’t.
Hand wash only for me.
Doesn’t take too long.

KevH · Nov 23, 2023

ParachuteWoman said:
To be honest, I would do it all myself by hand. It may be a bit lengthy but you will immediately notice any scratches and blemishes which you can sort out there are then. I use the jetwash to clean the wheel arches and underneath, but by hand for the body.

Agree.
Hand wash is definitely good for spotting scratches etc; auto wash best for creating self-same scratches.
It’s part of the pleasure of ownership

Nik_campervan · Nov 23, 2023

Just wash it by hand with a pan scrub and it will be same result..

GrannyJen · Nov 23, 2023

Haven't you got a butler to keep it clean for you?

Goodness, standards are going down :shocked

edocali · Nov 23, 2023

I've done it. Not only I had the awning, but I also had the VW bike carrier on the back and Roger's solar panel on roof. No damage.
However I'd rather use pressure wash for the future to avoid tempting fate.

dspuk · Nov 24, 2023

As others have said, it’s less a question of can you and more should you.

Technically, pretty sure you can, practically, I’d think the awning would be a challenge for most units sensors. Take it off if you really want to do it.

I wash by hand - well, jet wash and various implements. Perverse pleasure and all that, but takes a few hours every few months and helps me keep an eye on the vans panels and various sticking out bits.

I used to take my car through it and TBH only the cheaper units leave scratches nowadays - the one I used was fine. Do the car same time as the van now.

Barbara · Nov 24, 2023

Mine being washed in a car wash in Spain. However I think it is slightly wider than a UK one and the staff are very careful as to where the van is placed in it and the machinery is controlled by hand not automatic. I would not use a purely automatic car wash of the type normal in UK. So my van only gets washed when I can use this one.

hirsty · Nov 24, 2023

I always seem to be the exception on these threads - I fully agree that a careful handwash at home (following YouTube best-practice / two bucket method etc) is best, but I'm happy to take mine through a supermarket / garage carwash with brushes as;

- I don't have anywhere convenient to do it by hand at home
- am quite lazy
- nothing has ever fallen off
- it is coming up 8-years old

I may think differently if it was an £80K+ van and/or brand new ... The hand-held long brush at the jetwash station (often left on the ground) seem a bigger risk of grit & scratches to me, and I've never had a good result using only the 'wand' spray.

Some roller carwashes are seemingly narrower than others, I have twice 'tripped' the sensor & forced the cashier to have to come out and reset it - one did ask me not to come back! Folding the wing mirrors back has alleviated this & I've had no problems since.

Solar panels on the roof is a general no-no.

Celia Vanchez · Nov 24, 2023

latemrsb plus one said:
Hello all,
Might sound like a dumb question, but I thought I would ask before I try.
If yes, any tips.

Many thanks

Late Mrs B

I would not recommend it

Pete M · Nov 24, 2023

I do mine (BP fuel station) regularly with no issues, flick the door mirrors up as it’s quite tight with them down when the gantry passes with them down.
Life’s way to short to spend hours washing by hand.

California_Clarky · Nov 24, 2023

its a definite no from me - even the dealers not allowed - I find it very theroputic - alternatively if you want the same effect from a car wash a few spoonfuls of sand in with the soap and remember to drop the sponge on the floor - this is just my personal opinion

Stu@rt · Nov 24, 2023

Personally I wouldn't dare, but this might offer some awning protection if you do.

Mark Masters · Nov 24, 2023

latemrsb plus one said:
Hello all,
Might sound like a dumb question, but I thought I would ask before I try.
If yes, any tips.

Many thanks

Late Mrs B

I do. No problems at all.

Kingfisher · Nov 24, 2023

No problem at all, of course depending on the maximum dimensions that the particular car wash allows. I regularly use the car wash at a local petrol station. Also on longer trips in Scandinavia I never had a problem finding a car wash.

I do use something to prevent any fabric strips of the car wash getting stuck behind the awning. A simpler version of the one in post #19, that would also be easy to DIY:

CaliClean-Carwash adapter

Wash adapter for VW T5 / T6 California with awning. With CaliClean there is no reason that a VW California T5 / T6 will be rejected with awning in washing streets with fabric strips. CaliClean was developed in cooperation with the leading car ...

calitop.eu

latemrsb plus one · Dec 4, 2023

Thanks all for the replies.
As GrannyJen said, I got my butler to do it, aka Husband, by hand.
I think he enjoyed it, getting up close and giving it a good polish!

Sue

Can I take my 6.1 Ocean with awning into a general car wash

latemrsb plus one

colintfcolintf

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

KevH

Retired and loving it

CaliforniaSeb

ParachuteMan

GrumpyGranddad

KevH

Retired and loving it

Nik_campervan

GrannyJen

edocali

dspuk

Dave

Barbara

hirsty

Two Seat Beach DSG

Celia Vanchez

Pete M

California_Clarky

Stu@rt

Mark Masters

Kingfisher

CaliClean-Carwash adapter

latemrsb plus one

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