Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

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.

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

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.

Originally Posted by c4004matic

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".

Originally Posted by Lawen4ment

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.

Originally Posted by superswiss

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.

Originally Posted by SW20S

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.

Originally Posted by AppleFan1

For what it’s worth, my 580’s color is cirrus silver. One of the reasons I chose this color is that it will not dirty spots as much as dark colored cars.

Originally Posted by SW20S

And it makes swirls and scratches almost invisible.

Originally Posted by Newbyloub

As everyone should expect, there’s a world of different thoughts and opinions on this.

I doubt anyone will change his/her mind.

Originally Posted by wings1969

First world problem, but there is no car wash app in the menu. If activated, it closes the windows and sunroof, turns off all the parking features, folds the mirrors and a few other items I forgot. We have it in our GLE but for some reason it is not in the EQS.

Originally Posted by Utopia Texas

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. 😊

Originally Posted by wings1969

First world problem, but there is no car wash app in the menu. If activated, it closes the windows and sunroof, turns off all the parking features, folds the mirrors and a few other items I forgot. We have it in our GLE but for some reason it is not in the EQS.

Originally Posted by Radman991

I picked up my 23 580 sedan yesterday and it has the car wash option in the menu.

Originally Posted by SW20S

No clue why they don't put that on every car!

Originally Posted by Radman991

I picked up my 23 580 sedan yesterday and it has the car wash option in the menu.

Originally Posted by rwsocalifornia

Can you tell us what version of software is installed on your car? Hopefully those of us with a 2022 580 will be able to get that function soon.