Kolya1

My MB manual says that automatic car washes are fine, but warns not to use touchless washes because the chemicals are too harsh for the paint and trim. This is the first time I have seen this and like many folks prefer touchless to avoid scratches and subjecting trim pieces to aggressive brushes.

Anyone have insight on this and the difference in chemicals used between touch and touchless car washes? Do touchless have higher concentrations of degreasers/solvents, high/low pH, abrasive agents etc.?

Seems to me that
1) as long as the car is rinsed well, the chemicals will be removed after only brief contact
2) using a touchless is probably better than leaving salt, grime, bird droppings etc on your car

Additionally, what about cars with the hood ornament star? Any problem running those through an auto wash with brushes?

Thanks

Arrie

I almost always use the brush washers. The one I use very regularly is one of those with hanging strips and brushes. I use thouchless only when car was washed just a day or two ago and has some loose "dust" on it.

The car I have is a work horse meant to be driven and I absolutely cannot worry about "scratches" the car wash brushes make. My dealer washes my car at every service visit with brushes so why would I not?

The hood ornament can get misaligned by the wash with brushes and strips so when this happens you can ask the washer attendant to straighten it back to the correct position.

Long3494Qut

Free dealer car washes for life, yo

mercedes4ever

I use touch-less, been using it since day 1. Wax regularly, paint looks like new.
The MB statement is dependent on chemicals being used, my wash using the latest technology...paint friendly.

GoBlando

My manual warned of damage to electronics as the reason for not using the car washes. The high pressure of water used at many angles increases the chance that water will make it inside and cause damage.

phreeeeek

how?

Ziya

That's the way to do it

El Cid

The touchless washes have to use stronger chemicals. Try spraying water on your car vs. washing it with a sponge or cloth.
I have used the automatic kind with hanging strips for many, many years with no problems at all. Hood ornament doesn't even move. Do not use the ones with brushes though. Have noticed BMW's, Lexus' and MB's at one I use and even the black ones look good.
My manual says to activate the recirculation while car is going through the car wash. This is to prevent water from getting into the ventilation system, AC, cabin filter and whatever else. Another poor design by MB engineers as no other vehicles require this.
Spoke with technician at MBUSA and he said that the recirc automatically deactivates five minutes after car is turned off or when it is turned back on. So I leave car running until attendant gets it to the end of the conveyor and he turns it off. I do my own vacuming and interior cleaning so this is not a problem - so far.
I usually check out my car beforehand for tar, bugs, etc. and clean them off myself.

michael61

I don't live close enough to the dealer to use their car washes, but a new car wash opened up right near me that offers a monthly plan service that for a pretty reasonably priced quick wash. They have a sign up that says "wash your car every day". I don't do that, but there have been a few weeks where I've gone two or three times in a week to get the salt off. It's been great this winter.

I do avoid their "liquid fire detergent" option which sounds kind of harsh. And they have a belt conveyer system rather than pushing the car along from one wheel which I like.

The car looks so much better when it's clean!

chrisvr6

Those brushes are the worse thing that can touch your paint during a wash. Even at the dealer.

ArcticE

How does one get free car washes from the local MB dealer besides taking the car in for service??

chrisvr6

They all do it. As long as you have their plate frames. My lexus dealer does it too. And they all use brushes. I have yet to see one that does hand washes.

SolidGranite

Bring my car on a regular basis to the $3 wash. Not touchless but does an excellent job especially for the price. Includes free ultra vacuum that could suck your face off! My dealer does the free washes as well but it's not worth the wait.

chrisvr6

Excellent job swirling your paint too I'm sure.

SolidGranite

Nope. But thanks for expressing an opinion you know nothing about. It's more gentle on my paint than any of the dealer installed automatic washing system I've experienced. In fact, my cars in the past have been swirled by hand washes that cost upwards of $20.

chrisvr6

Got any up-close pics of your paint?

E Classy

i don't trust the brushes or the flaps, because they can theoretically collect dirt particles from other vehicles and grind them into your paint.

i stick with a nice touch less machine for $7 even though the pressure is a little high. but that's just to dislodge the dirt - the real deal happens when you take your own elbow grease and a microfiber cloth with the detailing product of your choice and run your hands over the body panels until their smooth and mirror-like. no one else cares as much to do the job right.

chrisvr6

Some people just care more than others i guess. I have a whole wash procedure i stick to and still need to buff out rids or swirls every once in a while. Oh yeah, i have 2 black cars.

E Classy

well, i meant to say that "strangers" at a dealership or washing business don't care as much as the owner of the car to really get it looking nice. but then again there are some folks that use the rainfall as their wash!!!

there's so much detail when you actually get down and up close...

BACnMercedes

A while back I used touchless every time for a car I had. After while I noticed steaks down the sides that looked liked the paint was fading. I had them waxed back out and everything was good.

I found out the other day that my local stealership does not give loaner cars out when service work is done and now I find out they do not offer free car washes. I knew I did not like them for some reason. On the other hand, when they do charge you for a car wash, it is a hand wash.

ilovemaui1

No car wash system other than me will ever touch my Mercedes. I hand wash them and dry with a blower. I always instruct the dealer NOT to wash my cars. I don't want some minimum wage lacky touching my paint and I damn sure aren't allowing it to be dragged through a bunch of dirty rags and spinning brushes.

mikeyle

obviously there are those on this forum who care about swirls and those who do not, no point in getting into an argument over that here. but if you use the washes with brushes and mops and think youre not getting swirls, youre wrong.

drsaab

Touch less are fine but use a very strong coating chemical to break the dirt before the sprays start. This also strips any wax you have on your car. Unwaxed paint can easily get damaged as well.

michael61

We're all individuals.

I don't hand wash my car. Just not something I'm interested in doing. I also didn't pay anything extra for "nicer" paint. Basic black was fine for me.

On the other hand, I got all the "cool" tech features. I get enjoyment out of them. Not so much paint.

E Classy

i agree. the trick is to make sure you do the wax (or some sort of protectant) application soon after the wash. that way, you're basically "back down to paint" after going through the wash again in a few weeks. although some products should be strong enough to somewhat endure the washing, too.