whats wrong with the car wash?
- Thread starter justdrive
- Start date
I took my Expedition to a full service car wash yesterday as I always do. I have not had a problem but it is also white and problems are not as easily noticed. When I was there, I noticed a black 540i, a black MB 500, a Volvo 60, and a few other nice, expensive cars. This is not an uncommon sight at this car wash, in fact, I would say among the lines of cars 10-20 deep at the car drop off point by the customer waiting area, 80% of the cars there are over $25,000.00. There are always no less than 5 BMW, MB, Jag and so on.
For some reason I would still not want to take my car there. Although I have always taken my others there and they do a excellent job, I am unsure about the Imola Red because it shows even the slightest of imperfections.
We have a number of hand wash places here also and I think I may try this if I need a wash done in a hurry. Hand wash is $30.00 and they use only microfibrer, and the bigger mass assembly line machine washes are about $16.00. Probably worth the extra $14.00 for the BMW just to be sure.
For some reason I would still not want to take my car there. Although I have always taken my others there and they do a excellent job, I am unsure about the Imola Red because it shows even the slightest of imperfections.
We have a number of hand wash places here also and I think I may try this if I need a wash done in a hurry. Hand wash is $30.00 and they use only microfibrer, and the bigger mass assembly line machine washes are about $16.00. Probably worth the extra $14.00 for the BMW just to be sure.
JEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!! Do you know what I pay for a car wash? I pay $7 for "The Works", which is the most expensive wash at my local auto car wash. I pay $7 up front, and I pull up onto the track. Two guys standing there whip out these bottles of rim cleaner and spray my wheels. Then, they hose down the whole car with soap-water and then they start me moving. The rollers take me into the car wash...first step sprays 4 jets on each side of the car of this pink stuff and this blue stuff (2 jets are pink and 2 jets are blue). Then, the auto brushes and all that stuff clean and scrub my cars, and I get an under-carriage wash in which jets of soap and water spray underneath my car. At the end, huge fans or whatever are there to dry the car off. While the things that blow massive air are blowing, there are several guys there with towels who then dry off my car. Then, they have these big brushes that have Black Magic Tire Gloss, and they apply it to all four tires. At this point, I lower my window and give $2 gratuity, and when I raise my window back up and the water marks are there, one guy is there to even dry that off. After tire gloss is applied, I am good to go. I then go straight home and wipe down the entire car with a microfiber towel to get rid of any potential swirl marks and to take care of any loose drips of water.
There is no doubt in my mind that hand-washing your car comes out better. But you have to use the right stuff and you have to know how to wash your car properly. I love to hand-wash my car during the summer, but sometimes if I don't have the time or during the winter when it's just too cold for me, I have no problem with taking my car to my local car wash and paying a total of $9 for a full auto wash.
There is no doubt in my mind that hand-washing your car comes out better. But you have to use the right stuff and you have to know how to wash your car properly. I love to hand-wash my car during the summer, but sometimes if I don't have the time or during the winter when it's just too cold for me, I have no problem with taking my car to my local car wash and paying a total of $9 for a full auto wash.
![[V]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_disapprove.gif "Disapprove [V]"){kind=icon}
one more question
so this place I contacted regarding car detailing
$150 initial then $50 per month touch up or $70/2mo.
they do the complete car detailing inside outside, under the hood
they say they don't use wax....because it melts...but that they use teflon coating which they say leaves no swirl marks.,..and supposedly is a stronger protectant against the sun and the oxidizing elemants
is teflon o.k. to use on a car
is it better than the caruba wax
is the price high (it seems expensive)
I figure if teflon is o.k. then I could do a regular wash myself between the 2mo teflon/detailing touch-up
so this place I contacted regarding car detailing
$150 initial then $50 per month touch up or $70/2mo.
they do the complete car detailing inside outside, under the hood
they say they don't use wax....because it melts...but that they use teflon coating which they say leaves no swirl marks.,..and supposedly is a stronger protectant against the sun and the oxidizing elemants
is teflon o.k. to use on a car
is it better than the caruba wax
is the price high (it seems expensive)
I figure if teflon is o.k. then I could do a regular wash myself between the 2mo teflon/detailing touch-up
Well, $150 and $50 per month sound like a deal to me! ![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
As long as they do their work indoors. A hot car should not be detailed, the products do not lend themselves to high temps.
Teflon; I would ask what the name of their product is. I have my doubts as to whether it's teflon, may be a polymer wax. There are two camps for waxes, the old fashioned carnauba crowd versus the polymer crowd. Both have their benefits and drawbacks. Generally speaking, carnauba looks the best while the polymers last a little longer.
As long as they do their work indoors. A hot car should not be detailed, the products do not lend themselves to high temps.Teflon; I would ask what the name of their product is. I have my doubts as to whether it's teflon, may be a polymer wax. There are two camps for waxes, the old fashioned carnauba crowd versus the polymer crowd. Both have their benefits and drawbacks. Generally speaking, carnauba looks the best while the polymers last a little longer.
thanx
thanx vlad...I had a feeling you would have an informed opinion on this.
what little I read on google searching is that the real teflon only adheres at
high temps.....temps so high that they can't be used on cars.
this info cited studies from 1989....so perhaps there is new stuff out there.
however, most sites were advertisement sites for carwash places that use wax
and they were implying teflon was a gimmick
JUSTDRIVE![[burnout]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_burnout.gif "Burnout [burnout]")
thanx vlad...I had a feeling you would have an informed opinion on this.
what little I read on google searching is that the real teflon only adheres at
high temps.....temps so high that they can't be used on cars.
this info cited studies from 1989....so perhaps there is new stuff out there.
however, most sites were advertisement sites for carwash places that use wax
and they were implying teflon was a gimmick
JUSTDRIVE
MrElussive...the prices for a car wash keep increasing here. The $16.00 includes inside as well and mat shampoo also. Nevada keeps placing more and more restrictions on water and we are now only allowed one at home car wash per week. The only car washes that seem to have survived are the full sevice and more expensive ones. As of today it is now illegal to operate a fountain of any kind and it just keeps getting worse. My last water bill was $125.00, half as much as my electricity. I am thinking that when it cools down in October and November, some people may have higher water bills that a/c and heating. I think everyone is taking advantage of the water issues to an extreme and jumping up prices.
I understand, Bryan. I did was not aware that your $16 includes inside cleaning. That seems like a much more fair price, and I hope things get better with your water. New Jersey usually has a drought sometimes over the summer, but this year, we've gotten sooo much rain we are set for quite a few years, as I understand it.
Guys,
My 2 cents says avoid auto car washes at all cost. The brushes they use will SCRATCH your paint and leave swirl marks no end.
I use the DIY high pressure wash as I live in an apartment but I NEVER use the brush. I used it once on my previous A4 and it scratched big time as I tried to use it remove bird poop.
Nothing can beat a hand wash which I would definitely do if I had my own garage. Alas, Bay Area housing prices just don't allow it![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
My 2 cents says avoid auto car washes at all cost. The brushes they use will SCRATCH your paint and leave swirl marks no end.
I use the DIY high pressure wash as I live in an apartment but I NEVER use the brush. I used it once on my previous A4 and it scratched big time as I tried to use it remove bird poop.
Nothing can beat a hand wash which I would definitely do if I had my own garage. Alas, Bay Area housing prices just don't allow it
I used the touchless high pressure car wash "ONCE" for a quick rinse before I picked up a customer. The corners were leaking water throughout the car wash process. I called my dealership and they said "NO BMW HAS EVER LEAKED." I said, "OK, but my clothes are wet from something dripping into the car." They said, "dont make us take that car away from you, did you go into a car wash??"" Hmmmmmmmmm, read the book, it says do not use high pressure washes......duh......
![[?|]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_banghead.gif "Bang Head [?|]")
Obviously None of You Live in NYC
When you live in a city like Manhattan, there is just no choice but an automatic car wash.
I live in a high rise building with parking underneath. Most people in NYC park in the street!!!
Besides not letting the attendants park my car, I also cover it.
Believe me, I wish I could wash it myself!
2003 330ci Sport Package, PP, JET BLACK!!!
Joseph
When you live in a city like Manhattan, there is just no choice but an automatic car wash.
I live in a high rise building with parking underneath. Most people in NYC park in the street!!!
Besides not letting the attendants park my car, I also cover it.
Believe me, I wish I could wash it myself!
2003 330ci Sport Package, PP, JET BLACK!!!
Joseph
I have to agree with MrElussive and those that can tolerate or are forced to go to automatic carwashes from time to time. I really like my car but hand washing it is lower on my priority, with having so little free time as it is. Going Karma Sutra on the car can be relaxing, but in the winter it's torture to wash the car by hand.
The car gets 1/4 washes by me, rest by automatic carwash. Yes, the tire tract can scratch your alloy wheels if it is not padded, so I found a carwash that has a padded tract. Other than that, never had problems with scratches or swirls, I don't even wipe the car down when I get home. Yes, the less-than-pristine rags being waved on my paint pisses me off, but oh well, maybe next time I will bring them my own clean rags. I also don't own the under-carriage sprayer, so the carwash can actually wash under the car better than I can, especially in the winter. My father-in-law owns a carwash, so I know better than to ask for the acid that they spray onto alloy wheels, which will eat off the clear coat. I never ask for their cheap wax and I wax the car ala Vlad on the occasions that I do hand wash.
In the city (such as Manhattan) there are many parking garages that hand wash / detail your car, so if you are worried, you can use such services. The mall parking near where I live has a detailing service, which I use while we brunch and shop.
The car gets 1/4 washes by me, rest by automatic carwash. Yes, the tire tract can scratch your alloy wheels if it is not padded, so I found a carwash that has a padded tract. Other than that, never had problems with scratches or swirls, I don't even wipe the car down when I get home. Yes, the less-than-pristine rags being waved on my paint pisses me off, but oh well, maybe next time I will bring them my own clean rags. I also don't own the under-carriage sprayer, so the carwash can actually wash under the car better than I can, especially in the winter. My father-in-law owns a carwash, so I know better than to ask for the acid that they spray onto alloy wheels, which will eat off the clear coat. I never ask for their cheap wax and I wax the car ala Vlad on the occasions that I do hand wash.
In the city (such as Manhattan) there are many parking garages that hand wash / detail your car, so if you are worried, you can use such services. The mall parking near where I live has a detailing service, which I use while we brunch and shop.