2013 Santa Fe " Shark Fin " antenna question...

[debyne]

Originally Posted by Mattmilw

Oh, how it kills me to have to use car washes during the winter. I have no other options. They use a lot of salt on the roads here, and I try to get ot off as soon as possible. It breaks my heart every trip through.

I felt the same way until I came across Optimum No Rinse (ONR) Car Wash & Wax. I take my car to to a DIY car wash bay, pay the $4 to high pressure rinse the dirt off my car, then drive it back to my garage and use the 2-bucket method w/ Grit Guard along with ONR to wash/wax my car. It works beautifully and I don't have to freeze my arse off doing it. It has revolutionized how I wash and take care of my cars.

[luck11]

I may use a car wash perhaps once a year. I don't think I would mind the touchless washes, which are much more common, but it would be a cold day in **** when I would would go into a soft cloth or brush wash.

My garage is insulated and with my heater, it can get decently warm, so I wash my car in my garage all year round. I have drain holes in the concrete for water to drain.

As far as the antenna goes, as was previously posted, I think this refers to the Cdn models, and even then, I think that statement is simply for liability purposes for Hyundai. Nevertheless, if you're considering a brush wash (please don't if you have any respect for your paint finish), then I would seriously consider removing it. A shark fin antenna should be no issue whatsoever.

[Damifino329]

Given the amount of practical design that Hyundai engineers into it's vehicles, I always thought the Shark Fin also functioned as an aerodynamic stabilizer. This is an important function especially when traveling at highway speeds. Were the Shark Fin be off a few degrees it may result in unstable handling. I'd leave it alone.

[Cheers]

I have used car washes for many years and have noticed no apparent paint damage. I wax my cars several times a year and yes, I respect the paint finish...I`m also the guy who parks waaay out in "no-mans land" to avoid shopping cart, etc. damage.....
What kind of paint damage has anyone who is reading this, experienced?

[luck11]

If it is touchless you were using, then likely no issue (I believe). However, I can pick out a car that goes through wash with brushes (do they still have them with brushes?) or soft cloth on a regular basis without difficulty. What they do is create fine scratches in your paint and in the sun, and the right angle, you can see major spider webbing, whereas my vehicle has a clear reflection of the sun (and it's black too). Now, I still get some fine scratches from people rubbing against my dirty truck, or even from simple hand washing...even as careful as I am using two buckets.

Think about it, if you go through right after someone who has tons of mud and gunk built up on his/her car during the winter, some of that is likely to remain on the cloth or brushes. That gunk acts like sandpaper on the paint of the next car (or next several cars) that goes through.

Your wax, depending on the type and brand, might "hide" some of the finer scratches when looking straight on, but they are there and will still be noticeable in the reflection of the sun, regardless of waxing.

Here's an example of damage, although minor.



This is a bit more extreme (caused by nylon "soft" brushes)

[Mattmilw]

Originally Posted by debyne

I felt the same way until I came across Optimum No Rinse (ONR) Car Wash & Wax. I take my car to to a DIY car wash bay, pay the $4 to high pressure rinse the dirt off my car, then drive it back to my garage and use the 2-bucket method w/ Grit Guard along with ONR to wash/wax my car. It works beautifully and I don't have to freeze my arse off doing it. It has revolutionized how I wash and take care of my cars.

I just ordered a bottle. Thanks for the tip. In warmer weather, I wash my SF a minimum of once a week. It helps me feel "connected" with my ride. I've been missing that connection of late, and now it looks like I can get it back.

[Joe Las Vegas]

Car washes that use those rubber strips are fine to use often.

[Damifino329]

OK....I thought that little "tongue in cheek" ditty about Shark Fin unstable handling would have been figured out by now.

I was just passing time while the turkey cooked. Well a very Merry Christmas to all.

And a very Happy New Year.......

[7milesup]

Originally Posted by luck11

If it is touchless you were using, then likely no issue (I believe). However, I can pick out a car that goes through wash with brushes (do they still have them with brushes?) or soft cloth on a regular basis without difficulty. What they do is create fine scratches in your paint and in the sun, and the right angle, you can see major spider webbing, whereas my vehicle has a clear reflection of the sun (and it's black too). Now, I still get some fine scratches from people rubbing against my dirty truck, or even from simple hand washing...even as careful as I am using two buckets.

Think about it, if you go through right after someone who has tons of mud and gunk built up on his/her car during the winter, some of that is likely to remain on the cloth or brushes. That gunk acts like sandpaper on the paint of the next car (or next several cars) that goes through.

Your wax, depending on the type and brand, might "hide" some of the finer scratches when looking straight on, but they are there and will still be noticeable in the reflection of the sun, regardless of waxing.

Here's an example of damage, although minor.

+1 on that. Any vehicle that goes through prior to you with sand and salt has now loaded up the brushes (or those rag looking things) to act just like sandpaper.

Originally Posted by Damifino329

OK....I thought that little "tongue in cheek" ditty about Shark Fin unstable handling would have been figured out by now.

I was just passing time while the turkey cooked. Well a very Merry Christmas to all.

And a very Happy New Year.......

Haha. I read that and thought about replying but couldn't come up with anything that didn't sound like I was a jerk. LOL.
I know a few things about aerodynamics and I was like "really, is he serious?". Lol

Merry Christmas.

[7milesup]

I put in-floor heat in the garage with floor drains and 10' wide garage doors. Super nice. . Now I can wash the cars anytime during the winter, along with oil changes or anything else all the while standing/laying on a warm floor. I highly recommend in-floor heat.