Car Wash
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
GL 550
Car Wash
I just recently purchased a 550. I occasionally visit a car wash with the metal guide tracks. While there looks to be enough tire sidewall to prevent the wheel from contacting the track, I am very hesitant to try it. Has anyone tried it?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 948
Likes: 110
From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
If your car is black .... I would avoid the car wash... The black paint is highly sussepticable to micro scratches. I even got to the point of not letting the dealer wash the car unless the "new car " detailer hand washed it.
But before I figured this out.... My car did see a couple of car washe machines.. But in areas where cars with wider wheels routinely went through...
In the end I changed to silver to avoid the pain in the butt that dark cars can be in urban areas. Good luck with your new ride.
But before I figured this out.... My car did see a couple of car washe machines.. But in areas where cars with wider wheels routinely went through...
In the end I changed to silver to avoid the pain in the butt that dark cars can be in urban areas. Good luck with your new ride.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 247
Likes: 17
From: Chicago, IL
2015 - GL 550
If your car is black .... I would avoid the car wash... The black paint is highly sussepticable to micro scratches. I even got to the point of not letting the dealer wash the car unless the "new car " detailer hand washed it.
But before I figured this out.... My car did see a couple of car washe machines.. But in areas where cars with wider wheels routinely went through...
In the end I changed to silver to avoid the pain in the butt that dark cars can be in urban areas. Good luck with your new ride.
But before I figured this out.... My car did see a couple of car washe machines.. But in areas where cars with wider wheels routinely went through...
In the end I changed to silver to avoid the pain in the butt that dark cars can be in urban areas. Good luck with your new ride.
I should have my car ready tomorrow I will post few pics.
Thanks
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 948
Likes: 110
From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
I agree with you on black it's nothing but a pain in the butt to maintain it, and even with New Car detailer you are bound to get few swirls and scratches I hate black so much but I still ended up buying a black bcoz I needed the car ASAP and I got a very very good deal with the Price. Anyways to avoid this mess I am getting PPF (XPEL Ultimate) on full Hood\Front Bumper\Full Fenders and Mirrors, lets see how it plays out, and I am also going to get Opti Coat Pro 2 on whole car next month. I am hoping this Xpel would save my A$$ from swirls for a bit.
I should have my car ready tomorrow I will post few pics.
Thanks
I should have my car ready tomorrow I will post few pics.
Thanks
I hand washed the car for a year and it was fine... It's just when car wash machines or some guy rubbing hard with a dirty sponge would always start the onslaught of micro scratches.... That being said, I could use 3M imperial hand glaze and always pull the scratches out.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,401
Likes: 696
From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
Find a good hand wash place in your area. It is usually about the same price and you only have to worry about zipper scratches from any loose clothing they wear. I would not think about a drive through car wash. Too much can go wrong
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 3
2018 AMG GTR, gone 2017 AMG GT, 2015 GL 550, 2008 GL320, 1992 e500
I did the XPEL on the nose and half hood... On your car I would definitely get the hand cut full hood.... Not sure I'd do the sides.
I hand washed the car for a year and it was fine... It's just when car wash machines or some guy rubbing hard with a dirty sponge would always start the onslaught of micro scratches.... That being said, I could use 3M imperial hand glaze and always pull the scratches out.
I hand washed the car for a year and it was fine... It's just when car wash machines or some guy rubbing hard with a dirty sponge would always start the onslaught of micro scratches.... That being said, I could use 3M imperial hand glaze and always pull the scratches out.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
GL 550
I agree hand washing is superior and consider myself particular about my vehicle. I spent almost two hours tonight wiping it down with a Griots product after a no touch car wash visit. However, we don't have handwash car washes where I live and in the upper Midwest it's important to get the salt and winter sludge off your vehicle. In most cases, the no touch car washes have the metal guide tracks and I am still curious if anyone has had issues.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 948
Likes: 110
From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
I agree hand washing is superior and consider myself particular about my vehicle. I spent almost two hours tonight wiping it down with a Griots product after a no touch car wash visit. However, we don't have handwash car washes where I live and in the upper Midwest it's important to get the salt and winter sludge off your vehicle. In most cases, the no touch car washes have the metal guide tracks and I am still curious if anyone has had issues.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 272
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From: Suburban Chicago
2013 GL550
Cody - During the winter I take mine through a nice automatic facility. Steel tracks on the drivers side and no issues with the stock 21" wheels or the 20" winter wheels, which stick out closer to the sidewall than the stock wheels. Dealer has a similar setup and seems to be just fine on the wheels. Of course the truck is covered in a fine salt dust by the time I get it home at this time of year. Foam gun and hand wash in the nicer weather, though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 88
NO NO NO!!!
find a good hand wash place in your area - costs a lil more and takes a bit more time, but you are driving a $100K suv that will get beat to ****e by the drive through wash ultimately costing you more to correct at a proper establishment. And the drive through wash never gets as clean as hands on cleaning.
find a good hand wash place in your area - costs a lil more and takes a bit more time, but you are driving a $100K suv that will get beat to ****e by the drive through wash ultimately costing you more to correct at a proper establishment. And the drive through wash never gets as clean as hands on cleaning.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
GL 550
Cody - During the winter I take mine through a nice automatic facility. Steel tracks on the drivers side and no issues with the stock 21" wheels or the 20" winter wheels, which stick out closer to the sidewall than the stock wheels. Dealer has a similar setup and seems to be just fine on the wheels. Of course the truck is covered in a fine salt dust by the time I get it home at this time of year. Foam gun and hand wash in the nicer weather, though.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
GL 550
NO NO NO!!!
find a good hand wash place in your area - costs a lil more and takes a bit more time, but you are driving a $100K suv that will get beat to ****e by the drive through wash ultimately costing you more to correct at a proper establishment. And the drive through wash never gets as clean as hands on cleaning.
find a good hand wash place in your area - costs a lil more and takes a bit more time, but you are driving a $100K suv that will get beat to ****e by the drive through wash ultimately costing you more to correct at a proper establishment. And the drive through wash never gets as clean as hands on cleaning.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 88
You mean the hand wash where the unicorns do the final wipe down with the rainbow microtex towels? Seriously, we don't have such thing where I live. What we do have is lots of snow, slush and salt that's important to get off your vehicle. There's a number of tunnels that get your vehicle reasonably clean without anything touching the vehicle as I pilot it down the track.
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 174
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From: San Diego
MB GLS550/BMW 550/2017 Acura NSX
You guys must have a lot of time on your hands to hand your large SUV with Evian water and virgin diapers. 
I use tunnel car washes exclusively. washed once per week. No damage or scratches. Then professionally detailed (washed/clayed/sealed) every 6 months.
Unless you've changed to an improper tire size, the tire sticks out farther than the wheel. So no damage will occur from the tire guides.
I use tunnel car washes exclusively. washed once per week. No damage or scratches. Then professionally detailed (washed/clayed/sealed) every 6 months.
Unless you've changed to an improper tire size, the tire sticks out farther than the wheel. So no damage will occur from the tire guides.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,616
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From: Reading PA
26 EQS 400 SUV, 23 EQS 580 SUV (sold), 19 X7 (sold), 17/14 GLS550 (sold), 13 GL550 (sold)
I have an unlimited wash membership with Mister Car Wash in Reading, PA (formerly the Cloister Car Wash). It is an automatic wash with a track that pulls the vehicles through the wash. Our GL550 has been through it many times with no incidents or any damage to the paint. We hand-wash, clay-bar, and seal the paint by hand twice a year using Wolfgang products.
