Does automatic car wash really damage your paint ?
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Banned
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Los Angeles
'16 C63-S
Does automatic car wash really damage your paint ?
Well I always wondered, before I didn't care I'm lazy and I just took it to the machine, but now it's different. I don't want to damage my paint and leave brush marks on it.
I don't have a lot of patience to take my car to a hand car wash, and I live in a condo, I can't wash my car by myself even if I wanted too.. Can I just take it to automatic car wash ?
Thanks and sorry for the stupid question.
I don't have a lot of patience to take my car to a hand car wash, and I live in a condo, I can't wash my car by myself even if I wanted too.. Can I just take it to automatic car wash ?
Thanks and sorry for the stupid question.
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From: Desert
02 CLK 55 AMG,09 C63 loaded with P30
What color is your car? Any dark color car you will get alot of swirls from a auto wash. I handwash my black car. My clk55 is silver I take it to the auto wash.
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From: Planet Earth
2006 CLS500 - Iridium Silver w/ AMG Sportline
Think of it this way: maybe the last guy that went through the tunnel just got back from muddin' his Jeep. You can bet that some residual dirt & rock is still inbedded in the washing materials. That said, want that swirling around on your paint?
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From: Ottawa, Canada
2014 C63 507, 2012 R350
MB actually recommends the real car wash and not the brushless ones.
In the winter I go through the automatic car wash, and my car is black, it does a pretty good job. What I like about it is it sprays the brushes between cars and the rim cleaners are separate. It is a really good car wash, I don't have any problems with it but of course nothing compares to a hand wash.
In the winter I go through the automatic car wash, and my car is black, it does a pretty good job. What I like about it is it sprays the brushes between cars and the rim cleaners are separate. It is a really good car wash, I don't have any problems with it but of course nothing compares to a hand wash.
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From: Desert
02 CLK 55 AMG,09 C63 loaded with P30
MB actually recommends the real car wash and not the brushless ones.
In the winter I go through the automatic car wash, and my car is black, it does a pretty good job. What I like about it is it sprays the brushes between cars and the rim cleaners are separate. It is a really good car wash, I don't have any problems with it but of course nothing compares to a hand wash.
In the winter I go through the automatic car wash, and my car is black, it does a pretty good job. What I like about it is it sprays the brushes between cars and the rim cleaners are separate. It is a really good car wash, I don't have any problems with it but of course nothing compares to a hand wash.
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C32, 911 Carrera S(991), C63BS
If the car wash has employees who hand dry the car, one has to be very concern about the quality of the clothes they use. Most likely, they are not made of the right type of material. Additionally, most establishments do not clean these clothes well. I have seen workers drop drying towels on the ground, pick them up and use them on a car!!!
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
My problem is, I have the right tools and patience to do my own car washes, but my HOA says I'm not allowed to do any kind of washing on the premises. Sometimes I break the rules, but since there's no hose access, it can get a little tedious running back and forth with a bucket of water.
Recently, I've taken up doing those self service car washes that have their own soap and high-pressure hose. That works well as long as I remember to bring along my tire gloss and sham to properly dry it.
Any time I take my car to the dealership, they give me a free car wash and there are plenty of businesses nearby who do it all by hand. It's just a matter of trust - do they do a thorough job and will there be water spots left over?
If you were nearby, I'd tell you about Mickey's car wash in Oakland. They do a complete wash by hand and interior vacuum with windows for $17.
Recently, I've taken up doing those self service car washes that have their own soap and high-pressure hose. That works well as long as I remember to bring along my tire gloss and sham to properly dry it.
Any time I take my car to the dealership, they give me a free car wash and there are plenty of businesses nearby who do it all by hand. It's just a matter of trust - do they do a thorough job and will there be water spots left over?
If you were nearby, I'd tell you about Mickey's car wash in Oakland. They do a complete wash by hand and interior vacuum with windows for $17.
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From: Los Angeles
'16 C63-S
I've had a decent car wash today in Miami Beach for $15 + tip. It took them less than 20 min. My car wasn't that dirty though. 5 min later, it started raining. That's the story of the day.
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From: Desert
02 CLK 55 AMG,09 C63 loaded with P30
If the car wash has employees who hand dry the car, one has to be very concern about the quality of the clothes they use. Most likely, they are not made of the right type of material. Additionally, most establishments do not clean these clothes well. I have seen workers drop drying towels on the ground, pick them up and use them on a car!!!
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
LOL. I don't miss that about the east coast at all. It used to be like clockwork when my mom ever got her car washed. I grew up always doing it by hand until I lived in places where I didn't have access. But then, I didn't care that much about my Acura. Now, I'm **** about this car. I'm seriously thinking about carrying a bottle of quick detailer stuff plus towels in the trunk.
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From: Los Angeles
C63
Some car washes use harsh solvents to wash the car. Some even have acid based cleaners to clean the wheels.
Those brushes they use are more of an abrasive then anything else. lol
Haven't taken my cars to an automatic car wash in about 7 years.
Those brushes they use are more of an abrasive then anything else. lol
Haven't taken my cars to an automatic car wash in about 7 years.
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From: Los Angeles
'16 C63-S
jk
Last edited by Guilty; May 15, 2012 at 09:49 PM.
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C63 AMG
If you really want to see what condition your paint is in take an LED flashlight that uses blue LEDs (or a black light) - so use a light in the blue-black spectrum - and shine it on the paint. Even the smallest scratches will become visible. Most people are shocked to see how scratched their paint is, considering how well they have taken care of their car..
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From: Los Angeles
C63
If you really want to see what condition your paint is in take an LED flashlight that uses blue LEDs (or a black light) - so use a light in the blue-black spectrum - and shine it on the paint. Even the smallest scratches will become visible. Most people are shocked to see how scratched their paint is, considering how well they have taken care of their car..
I always request them not to wash my car. I just don't trust anybody else washing it but me, unless they're a pro detailer of course.
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From: Sydney & the NSW Central Coast, Australia
C63 AMG, BMW 135i
+1
I do the same.
Though to be fair to my dealer, they try hard to look after the cars by using good quality techniques and blow drying the car so as there is minimal contact with the paint.
To the OP, I understand why everyone doesn’t have the time to be **** about cleaning but seriously, sandpaper from the hardware store is cheaper and will leave much the same amount of swills as the automatic washers do.
.
Thread Starter
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From: Los Angeles
'16 C63-S
I wanna have my car washed at the guy in our parking garage but he doesn't speak english which makes it harder to make him understand what I want.. My car gets dirty really easily and that annoys me a lot.
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First, the water is recycled....how clean can it be
Second, it's either blasted on run through brushes that have been used 1,000 of time
Third, the guys drying your car make less than minimum wage
Fourth, if anything happens - you signed a waiver that releases the operator from damages.
If you're too lazy to hand wash the thing yourself properly (or have it done by a professional detailer)....you don't deserve to own it.
Second, it's either blasted on run through brushes that have been used 1,000 of time
Third, the guys drying your car make less than minimum wage
Fourth, if anything happens - you signed a waiver that releases the operator from damages.
If you're too lazy to hand wash the thing yourself properly (or have it done by a professional detailer)....you don't deserve to own it.
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Joined: Apr 2012
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2012 C350 Coupe
Just don't wash it. Then you won't have to worry about all the hazards represented in this thread.
I say take it to the car wash. You'll have a beautiful car and the only person who can tell it's not a hand wash is the guy checking it with the blacklight.
I say take it to the car wash. You'll have a beautiful car and the only person who can tell it's not a hand wash is the guy checking it with the blacklight.
