Car wash
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,487
Likes: 5,365
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I'm skeptical of the study because it is posted on a machine car wash website. I don't know what the actual study said. Handwashing is obviously as good as the process and technique of the person doing the hand wash. Most "hand wash sweat shops" have tired employees who are whacking the car with their hands. Plus they use the same dirty mitts all day along, essentially sanding your car with dirt.This process basically causes abrasion.
If you were to do it yourself or hire someone who puts in the necessary time and attention, it's a different story. The best technique in my opinion is to use a foam gun and pressure washer to get rid of the dirt before hand washing. A foam gun can be loaded with a lubricating wash (add some waterless car wash to the car wash mix) which lifts the dirt into suspension with the foam. Then use the hose to remove the foam suspended dirt. After that you can gently hand wash with a fresh microfiber mitt to get the small bits of dirt. Finally you can use a deionized rinse which eliminates the need to dry the car. A deionized rinse combined with a blower to 90% dry the car will leave it spotless with no abrasion from drying towels. This approach will be vastly superior to any machine wash - even a touchless one.
If you were to do it yourself or hire someone who puts in the necessary time and attention, it's a different story. The best technique in my opinion is to use a foam gun and pressure washer to get rid of the dirt before hand washing. A foam gun can be loaded with a lubricating wash (add some waterless car wash to the car wash mix) which lifts the dirt into suspension with the foam. Then use the hose to remove the foam suspended dirt. After that you can gently hand wash with a fresh microfiber mitt to get the small bits of dirt. Finally you can use a deionized rinse which eliminates the need to dry the car. A deionized rinse combined with a blower to 90% dry the car will leave it spotless with no abrasion from drying towels. This approach will be vastly superior to any machine wash - even a touchless one.
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
I'm skeptical of the study because it is posted on a machine car wash website. I don't know what the actual study said. Handwashing is obviously as good as the process and technique of the person doing the hand wash. Most "hand wash sweat shops" have tired employees who are whacking the car with their hands. Plus they use the same dirty mitts all day along, essentially sanding your car with dirt.This process basically causes abrasion.
If you were to do it yourself or hire someone who puts in the necessary time and attention, it's a different story. The best technique in my opinion is to use a foam gun and pressure washer to get rid of the dirt before hand washing. A foam gun can be loaded with a lubricating wash (add some waterless car wash to the car wash mix) which lifts the dirt into suspension with the foam. Then use the hose to remove the foam suspended dirt. After that you can gently hand wash with a fresh microfiber mitt to get the small bits of dirt. Finally you can use a deionized rinse which eliminates the need to dry the car. A deionized rinse combined with a blower to 90% dry the car will leave it spotless with no abrasion from drying towels. This approach will be vastly superior to any machine wash - even a touchless one.
If you were to do it yourself or hire someone who puts in the necessary time and attention, it's a different story. The best technique in my opinion is to use a foam gun and pressure washer to get rid of the dirt before hand washing. A foam gun can be loaded with a lubricating wash (add some waterless car wash to the car wash mix) which lifts the dirt into suspension with the foam. Then use the hose to remove the foam suspended dirt. After that you can gently hand wash with a fresh microfiber mitt to get the small bits of dirt. Finally you can use a deionized rinse which eliminates the need to dry the car. A deionized rinse combined with a blower to 90% dry the car will leave it spotless with no abrasion from drying towels. This approach will be vastly superior to any machine wash - even a touchless one.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
I agree with this "study". However most toucless carwashes do not completely clean a car. In my experience they always leave dirt behind. Invariable after pretty much any carwash I still have to wipe it down with a wet rag to get it truly clean. Handwashing with plenty of water is always best but also laborious and and not necessary for day today "clean".
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,487
Likes: 5,365
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I'm sure if one spends a lot of time, meticulously washing the car by hand, always making sure there's enough water on it to protect the paint, foam gun and all, just the right humidity so the water doesn't evaporate too fast and doing the rain dance to make sure all the stars are aligned. I'd still bet that if they looked at the paint under a microscope they'd find lots of scratches. Then a few hours later the car is full of grime and dirt again from just driving around. Not to mention that everything in the universe is subject to entropy. Things inevitably decay from use or even just from sitting around. I guess if you have nothing better to do than to repeat this process once a week, go for it.
Last edited by superswiss; May 24, 2022 at 04:36 PM.
Member
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Range Rover Land Rover
ever watched employees at an Automated car wash? whenever one of them drops their towel during the final hand drying, do they ever get up and replace it. NO!!! They pick it up and continue using it. Yes there are exceptions, and I'm sure high quality car wash business's have much more quality control than the downtown car wash but, no thanks, I'll stick with my handwashing vs automated.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,487
Likes: 5,365
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Some folks are clearly only familiar with gas station type quality automated car washes. I wouldn't go to those, either. The kind of automated washes besides touchless that I've been to are like what OP describes. They are often called Auto Spas. There's usually an employee at the beginning with a pressure gun to do a prewash/presoak, then you go through the tunnel and at the end the car gets blow dried to get all the water out of the nook and crannies. Nobody drops towels and rubs them over the cars. Then you pull into one of the stalls where they provide freshly washed microfiber towels, or you can always bring your own for the final hand drying of the car yourself and a vacuum to clean the interior. You can even bring your detail spray and give it the final touches.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
I used the Go Carwash once on my EQS I also wash my 2021 GLS 450 once a week or as needed. 450 is polar white like my EQS but the outcome is different. The 450 resists the chemicals from that carwash but my EQS doesn’t, turbo is correct don’t wash it at automated car wash. I’m lazy too but not when it comes to my EQS.
As for carwashes, an automatic carwash WILL marr the paint on a car. Every carwash, no matter how good. Whether or not you care is another matter. I use carwashes, and sure I can get out a light and show you the damage they have done, but the car looks great unless you are looking for the issues. Thats why I drive light colored cars and not dark colored cars.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,939
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
Some folks are clearly only familiar with gas station type quality automated car washes. I wouldn't go to those, either. The kind of automated washes besides touchless that I've been to are like what OP describes. They are often called Auto Spas. There's usually an employee at the beginning with a pressure gun to do a prewash/presoak, then you go through the tunnel and at the end the car gets blow dried to get all the water out of the nook and crannies. Nobody drops towels and rubs them over the cars. Then you pull into one of the stalls where they provide freshly washed microfiber towels, or you can always bring your own for the final hand drying of the car yourself and a vacuum to clean the interior. You can even bring your detail spray and give it the final touches.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Iowa
2025 EQS580
In what way does your EQS "not resist the chemicals" where your GLS does? That doesn't make any sense.
As for carwashes, an automatic carwash WILL marr the paint on a car. Every carwash, no matter how good. Whether or not you care is another matter. I use carwashes, and sure I can get out a light and show you the damage they have done, but the car looks great unless you are looking for the issues. Thats why I drive light colored cars and not dark colored cars.
As for carwashes, an automatic carwash WILL marr the paint on a car. Every carwash, no matter how good. Whether or not you care is another matter. I use carwashes, and sure I can get out a light and show you the damage they have done, but the car looks great unless you are looking for the issues. Thats why I drive light colored cars and not dark colored cars.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
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Joined: Nov 2021
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From: NE KY, on the Ohio River
2018 S560; 2022 EQS450+
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
I used to care, but nowadays I just have too many other things to worry about than what my car's paint looks like if I shine a bright halogen light on the lower doors while I'm down on all 4s.
Junior Member
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2022 EQS 450+
Same Question
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Joined: Jan 2016
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
I have used a local car wash that uses really soft cloth strip brushes on 9 of my cars for over 17 years without any problems. I apply a wax twice a year and you cannot see any swirl marks or micro scratches even in full sunlight. I will never use a touch less car wash because they use harsh chemicals and mild acids to clean the paint instead of brushes and they will eventually kill your paint job.
I generally am amused at the higher end car forums with all the hand wringing over paint quality when the majority of posters only keep their cars, mostly lease, for 3-4 years and then jump to the latest and greatest new car on the market. 😊
I generally am amused at the higher end car forums with all the hand wringing over paint quality when the majority of posters only keep their cars, mostly lease, for 3-4 years and then jump to the latest and greatest new car on the market. 😊
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 825
Likes: 263
From: NE KY, on the Ohio River
2018 S560; 2022 EQS450+
I have used a local car wash that uses really soft cloth strip brushes on 9 of my cars for over 17 years without any problems. I apply a wax twice a year and you cannot see any swirl marks or micro scratches even in full sunlight. I will never use a touch less car wash because they use harsh chemicals and mild acids to clean the paint instead of brushes and they will eventually kill your paint job.
I generally am amused at the higher end car forums with all the hand wringing over paint quality when the majority of posters only keep their cars, mostly lease, for 3-4 years and then jump to the latest and greatest new car on the market. 😊
I generally am amused at the higher end car forums with all the hand wringing over paint quality when the majority of posters only keep their cars, mostly lease, for 3-4 years and then jump to the latest and greatest new car on the market. 😊
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 820
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From: New England/Florida
2005 SL 500. 2015 S550. 2016 GLE400 2018 S560
I picked up my 23 580 sedan yesterday and it has the car wash option in the menu.
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
Super Member
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From: South by Southwest
2021 AMG E63s Wagon
@SW20S Can you recommend a Detail Shop in Maryland for Daughter's Buick, my rare #3 of 3 Alchemy Purple Chevy SS, and AMG Wagon when I'm back in town? Laurel to Glen Burnie is a good area...use a LSx speed shop for the Chevy in Glen Burnie.
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Joined: Oct 2014
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From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
On the first batch of US 580s they removed lifting the vehicle for some mysterous reason. Im sure the answer is chips. I would REALLY like to have the ability to do a plus one. Im always paranoid in parking lots. Ive even scraped the underside on Chicago speed bumps at slow speed!
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Likes: 18
2022 MB EQS 580
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 820
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From: New England/Florida
2005 SL 500. 2015 S550. 2016 GLE400 2018 S560
I’m pretty sure my software is the same as others that posted earlier.
I guess it’s one of the benefits of waiting so long to get my car. I put a deposit down before the 22’s were even released, but ended up with a 23 model. I got both the car wash function and roaring pulse, which apparently some vehicles don’t have.
Last edited by Radman991; Dec 8, 2022 at 03:22 PM.
