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License plate and car washes don't go together.

IdigmyMaverick

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So the car wash has bent my plate (rear) twice now. Any ideas on how to prevent this, barring not going to the car wash? WeatherTech has some options for frames I am investigating. Thank you.
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TyPope

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Literally any license plate frame would probably do the trick. Most auto parts stores carry the metal ones that are strong enough to not bend in a carwash and they are pretty reasonable priced...
 

FAN2PLAYER

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I've gone through the soft-touch style car wash many times with my maverick and have yet to have the rear plate bend. Although I ultimately always forget to remove my hitch step I have on.
 

volksnuts

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Easiest answers are the obvious ones
1. Don’t go through a car wash, ever
2. Remove the front license plate (be a rebel, as I’m sure your response will be it’s required)
 
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IdigmyMaverick

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Thanks, guys. Getting the WeatherTech frame. Pricey, but stylish. Will offer added protection. BTW, this was a Tommy's car wash. Probably has different equipment than other car washes.
 

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luparguru

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I put the clear license covers on mine, reduces the chance of the brushes making contact with the metal license plate
 

JBryant

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Quit car washes after brushes worked my last truck over good. Might consider a brushless car wash, but they are hard to find around here. No bigger than the Maverick is, no problem from start to finish in about a half hour, even when an old man like me.
 

Joofchicago

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So the car wash has bent my plate (rear) twice now. Any ideas on how to prevent this, barring not going to the car wash? WeatherTech has some options for frames I am investigating. Thank you.
Touch free wash only
 

rlhdweman

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So the car wash has bent my plate (rear) twice now. Any ideas on how to prevent this, barring not going to the car wash? WeatherTech has some options for frames I am investigating. Thank you.
I used 2 #12 x 5/8" stainless sheet metal screws & used to lower holes of the plate & screwed them directly into the plastic behind the plate, now the wash brushes won't bend the plate, cost less than $1.
 

ShadowChas

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Thanks, guys. Getting the WeatherTech frame. Pricey, but stylish. Will offer added protection. BTW, this was a Tommy's car wash. Probably has different equipment than other car washes.
I know these guys who DONT live in the rust belt like us salty Michigan winters don’t understand that rusty vehicles are worse that some swirls that can be rubbed out 😉 but I’ve had a regular frame on mine w/o incident for 50k miles/2 winters & yes I buy the unlimited wash monthly plan.
 
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Art Vandelay

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I know these guys who DONT live in the rust belt like us salty Michigan winters don’t understand that rusty vehicles are worse that some swirls that can be rubbed out 😉 but I’ve had a regular frame on mine w/o incident for 50k miles/2 winters & yes I buy the unlimited wash monthly plan.
Exactly. I'm in upstate NY where they love to spread massive amounts of salt on the roads for every little snow squall. I know that automatic car washes are bad for the paint but unfortunately I have to choose between the lesser of two evils which is washing the salt off as soon as possible. And in the winter it's not something that's possible to do in my driveway. In fact one winter I decided I would use my garden hose to rinse off the salt and multiple times I ended up creating a layer of ice on my driveway. The wife was not happy.
 

Azmig88

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I know these guys who DONT live in the rust belt like us salty Michigan winters don’t understand that rusty vehicles are worse that some swirls that can be rubbed out 😉 but I’ve had a regular frame on mine w/o incident for 50k miles/2 winters & yes I buy the unlimited wash monthly plan.
I live in Illinois. We have snow and salt here 😀
Alwaaaaaaays hand car washes. No machines, soft, brushless or otherwise.
 

Art Vandelay

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I live in Illinois. We have snow and salt here 😀
Alwaaaaaaays hand car washes. No machines, soft, brushless or otherwise.
I don't know what the temperatures are like where you are in the winter but where I am the month of January average temp is about 20 degrees so hand washing in the driveway is not an option. And December and February aren't much warmer. The water would freeze to the car and create an ice skating rink in the driveway.
 

Azmig88

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We have similar weather. Sometimes even below zero here.
I doubt that anyone gets their cars washed then, not to mention most washes close on days like that.
But hang onto your seat…..
Ready?
ALL of the hand car washes are in a heated building and they dry the hell out of the car.
I swear. I’m not lying
 

Shakesbear

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Only time i’ve ever had a problem with a “soft touch” car wash was with my 2016 Euro style extended plate frame from the tow hook connection on the front of the vehicle. This is a 100% non-issue for me.
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