who's hand washing their W212
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 436
Likes: 36
From: Barrington IL
2015 E 250, 1999 BMW M Roadster, 1939 International Harvester, 2023 GLC
who's hand washing their W212
I have always hand washed my cars. Even in the winter in Chicago. Perhaps not as often in the winter though. I use quality car wash a few mitts and can knock it out in 20-30 min if not too dirty. I use a California water blade then micro fiber towels to finish.
How about everyone else?
How about everyone else?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
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From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
during spring and summer try to hand wash it as much as i can , sometimes get lazy and go to a carwash.
but fall and winter carwashes only.
one time a week , usually fridays lol
but fall and winter carwashes only.
one time a week , usually fridays lol
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 436
Likes: 36
From: Barrington IL
2015 E 250, 1999 BMW M Roadster, 1939 International Harvester, 2023 GLC
I've been doing this 1976 when I started driving. I find it kind of relaxing. More so in summer than winter.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 600
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From: Minneapolis, MN/Breckenridge, CO
2010 E550 4Matic Sport P2
I always hand wash in summer due to the width of my rear wheels and the stupid metal tracks in automatic car washes. I think I'm going to buy an unlimited wash plan for the winter when my stock wheels are on so I can more easily keep it clean and avoid rust. That said, I feel a hand wash is the only effective way to really take care of your vehicle.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
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Super Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: Minneapolis, MN/Breckenridge, CO
2010 E550 4Matic Sport P2
Oh yeah. And my car is my baby
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2016
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From: CA
2014 E350 W212
I prefer to hand wash if I have time, that way you know it's being done right and the car is being treated right. Also, I've noticed on the track feed car washes that are popular out here in SoCal, the inside lip of the wheels get marred if they grind against the track due to not being aligned on the track properly. I have a neighbor that swears by blow drying his cars with an electric blower, seems to work great on his cars, and not touching the paint, I may have to give it a shot.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 99
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From: Bradenton, FL
'12 E550 4M, '14 ML5504M
I'm unabashed about my car being my baby. That being said, I do take the car to a machine wash, but I also hand wax and polish the car to both protect the finish and gives me a chance to catch and correct anything the car wash missed. For me it counts as a low impact exercise for the day.
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 223
Likes: 66
1973 280SEL 4.5; 2021 E450S4 Wagon
I too only hand wash my Palladium Silver S212 which fortunately hides the dirt well. I find myself hand washing the wheels more frequently to avoid the buildup of brake dust. The 5 spoke 17" wheels are ridiculously easy to clean with a Speed Master Brush and still look new inside and out. When the wheels are done, I wipe them down with a detailing spray.
As for drying, I've heard the water blades can scratch (?) so crazy as it sounds, I too have been using a leaf blower then finish it off with a microfiber towel.
As for drying, I've heard the water blades can scratch (?) so crazy as it sounds, I too have been using a leaf blower then finish it off with a microfiber towel.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 436
Likes: 36
From: Barrington IL
2015 E 250, 1999 BMW M Roadster, 1939 International Harvester, 2023 GLC
in the past I was really particular on technique washing and rinsing one panel at a time. Now days I start on the roof and pretty much wash the entire car in one shot before rinsing. I use two wash mitts though exchanging often in the process. Of course a good hose wet down prior to any washing and I do my wheels last. In hot weather I may rinse more frequent. Always wash in the garage, I have a nice pitch out the drive so the water goes away quick. I do find the W212 pretty easy to wash.
In the ole-days I was a wax fanatic too. Modern paints really have nice gloss and hold up well. Maybe wax 1 to 2 x per year.
In the ole-days I was a wax fanatic too. Modern paints really have nice gloss and hold up well. Maybe wax 1 to 2 x per year.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 991
Likes: 86
From: Washington DC area
Mine: 2014 E550 4matic; Hers: 2016 CLS 400 4matic
in the past I was really particular on technique washing and rinsing one panel at a time. Now days I start on the roof and pretty much wash the entire car in one shot before rinsing. I use two wash mitts though exchanging often in the process. Of course a good hose wet down prior to any washing and I do my wheels last. In hot weather I may rinse more frequent. Always wash in the garage, I have a nice pitch out the drive so the water goes away quick. I do find the W212 pretty easy to wash.
In the ole-days I was a wax fanatic too. Modern paints really have nice gloss and hold up well. Maybe wax 1 to 2 x per year.
In the ole-days I was a wax fanatic too. Modern paints really have nice gloss and hold up well. Maybe wax 1 to 2 x per year.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
2006 Toyota Avalon
I have been detailing cars on the side for approx 17 years. I have always used the two bucket hand wash method. However, I also use a pressure washer of my own to foam gun a high quality high foaming soap onto the vehicle, of which I let sit for 5 minutes to loosen the dirt before hand washing it. This of course is done as a maintenance wash and also as a prep for clay barring...scratch removal....polishing....sealant application....and carnauba wax top off. What is nice is that with a quality sealant on the car and mild dirt on vehicle, a sealant enables me to foam gun it and not even hardly have to mitt the car. Just rinse and dry with a leaf blower and apply wheel dressing and off I go! Just my 2 cents worth on the topic.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 465
Likes: 118
From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2016 S212 E400 RENNTech 345 whp/360 wtq
M-B recommends not using touchless car wash due to the unique chemicals added. I had to research this to claim repairs on my dealer-installed 3M when they tried to say use of any mechanical car wash invalidated the warranty. Not true of course.
PS, anyone clay bar? The feeling afterwards is almost erotic ;-)
PS, anyone clay bar? The feeling afterwards is almost erotic ;-)
Last edited by need2speed; Oct 29, 2016 at 01:25 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
I try to avoid handwashing it myself only because I keep finding defects in the finish from wear and tear, and get a big depressed, LOL!
