Car Wash or hand wash?
03-08-2007, 08:10 AM
#11
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When I lived in California, they use high pressure water. This, along with the soap that is dispensed, was the only thing that would ever touch your car. When it came through the dryer, I had my OWN detail towels in the car and had them use those towels only. It was fantastic. California had great car washes!
However, since moving back east, almost every car wash I've see uses the brushes that cause swirl marks. These are the car washes which are deadly to your paint. It's funny too, because many of them say, "100% brushless car wash" as you watch your car getting slapped all over with these mat flaps that just hit the car in all directions. What's worse, is when a dirty SUV goes in before you. There's no way that all that dirt and grime doesn't stick to those mat flaps, which then gets slapped on your car. Very bad.
However, since moving back east, almost every car wash I've see uses the brushes that cause swirl marks. These are the car washes which are deadly to your paint. It's funny too, because many of them say, "100% brushless car wash" as you watch your car getting slapped all over with these mat flaps that just hit the car in all directions. What's worse, is when a dirty SUV goes in before you. There's no way that all that dirt and grime doesn't stick to those mat flaps, which then gets slapped on your car. Very bad.
03-08-2007, 08:11 AM
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My Ride: 520d saloon, manual 6 ratios, olivin metallic, star spoke 122 alloys, delete boot badge, bi-xenon adaptive headlights including washers, graduated tinted windscreen, exterior and interior mirror auto dimming plus electric folding door mirrors, extended light package, dakota beige leather, dark poplar wood, electric seat adjustment including memory function, heated front seats, advanced climate control, velour floor mats, sliding front armrest, lumbar support for front seats.
Originally Posted by KAF' post='400211' date='Mar 8 2007, 04:58 PM
Always believed in a good hand job myself!!!
03-08-2007, 08:26 AM
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03-08-2007, 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Blocker' post='400104' date='Mar 8 2007, 10:29 AM
Through all my time of owning a BMW I have always had my car hand washed, whether it be by my own fair hands or at the hands of my Eastern European friends at the local hand car wash establishment... however, in a moment of economic madness and laziness, I took it to through a car wash last week.... If you are expecting me to now tell you that it was a disaster, I can't! It was unbelievable!! My car has never looked so clean and shiny (Carbon Black 535d Sport).... It was simply awesome! So the question is, is the old adage that you should never use a car wash an old wives tail, because I am seriously tempted to take it back there!!
I would appreciate your thoughts!!
I would appreciate your thoughts!!
Well I just leave it to our 'Eastern European friends' and they only charge ?5 or ?10 for inside and out. But I don't use the hand car washes you see in supermarkets because there is no sign of fresh water and no hose pipe or pressure washer to wash the dirt off first.
03-08-2007, 09:23 AM
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Near my house they have the laser guided touchless stations. It works well in the winter in a pinch on my wife's car. The only problem is that any leftover water freezes before I can even get home. Now thats cold.
03-08-2007, 11:49 AM
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I took it to my state of the art car wash first week and won't look at it in the sunlight at an agle.
I had many cars that I hand washed only. Had a mercedes for 7 years that never saw on!
But I found that children and a business, and a house, and a life made for some sacrifice.
The new ones are great. I am weary of touchless as they use a harsh acid type (think "KABOOM") soap except for every once in a while applicatoins.
A clean car with some swirls is better than a dirty car. A swirless car is just too much work for me right now on a daily driver.
I had many cars that I hand washed only. Had a mercedes for 7 years that never saw on!
But I found that children and a business, and a house, and a life made for some sacrifice.
The new ones are great. I am weary of touchless as they use a harsh acid type (think "KABOOM") soap except for every once in a while applicatoins.
A clean car with some swirls is better than a dirty car. A swirless car is just too much work for me right now on a daily driver.
03-08-2007, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by KAF' post='400211' date='Mar 8 2007, 08:58 AM
Always believed in a good hand job myself!!!
03-08-2007, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by swajames' post='400345' date='Mar 8 2007, 08:50 PM
You just stole the joke I was going to post
I have the advantage of being in a 'earlier' time zone.
03-08-2007, 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by KAF' post='400348' date='Mar 8 2007, 08:56 PM
I have the advantage of being in a 'earlier' time zone.
ABC