[chrisE92]

Just a rant..

When my mom got her new e90 lci at the end of march, I insisted that I be the first to give the car a full detail. I did, and the process took me about two days (some time was taken to install mods before hand). The car came out flawless. I was very happy with the results, especially because I never got the chance to do the same with my own car. Since then, I've only washed her car once. After that wash, the car still looked amazing.

Now comes the bad part. It rained last week. But instead of waiting for me to come home and wash her car (I was planning on washing it alongside mine), she took it to a local car wash, where it was run through a tunnel and then wiped down by hand. I stopped by today and was when I saw the car...

- swirls everywhere! granted, on space grey it's not so noticeable, but you can see them in the right lighting

- crappy tire shine! already noticed some fading from black to brown due to the sun

- car no longer feels slick (I know it won't ever feel as slick as the first time, but this pretty much feels like sandpaper)

- the brushed aluminum vinyl I used on her trim has a scratch on the large trim piece in the center. really? do their towels have rocks embedded or something?


And just like that, my work became undone in a matter of 20 minutes by a $15 car wash. If time permits, I'll take pictures tomorrow to show you guys how bad the swirls are on the hood.

[XDEEDUBBX]

Perfect example for others not to follow....

[chrisE92]

Originally Posted by XDEEDUBBX

Perfect example for others not to follow....

lesson learned, just don't bother working on anyone else's car unless you're getting paid.

[Express]

i learned that lesson after i did my own car.

[e92LuNaTiC]

Sucks bro! I went through the same thing! I detailed the car completely myself and I hadn't had a opportunity to wash it since I've been busy. Girlfriend tries to do a nice jester by taking it to the car wash while I was asleep! Man oh man....The clear coat is all F'd up! Spider webs everywhere on the paint!

[ceb]

Has nothing to do with wonen and their cars. It is "non-enthusiasts" and their cars.

[Dr. G]

Yeah my car was loadddded with gritty sandy dirt the other day and my dad decides to lean against the paint and drag his ass across it grinding the grit into the paint.... wasn't very happy.

I think 99% of people don't really know or care for a swirl free finish. Just keep your own car clean I guess/

[chrisE92]

Originally Posted by ceb

Has nothing to do with wonen and their cars. It is "non-enthusiasts" and their cars.

You are right. I'll change the title. I wrote "women and their cars" because my girlfriend is the same way... so are most girls I know.

[MetsFan]

Originally Posted by Dr. G

I think 99% of people don't really know or care for a swirl free finish. Just keep your own car clean I guess/

Very true. I've definitely been spoiled by reading these threads. A few years ago, a tunnel wash was enough to make me happy. I didn't even know what swirls were. After reading all these detailing threads, I can't stand seeing the swirled finish. Ignorance is bliss...