[J BONE]

Good pics of what a car wash can do to your car! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=FMinus

[Lassaxi]

Originally Posted by DarkRyan323

We care about the light swirl marks because its a $40,000+ car. And for a lot of people on here, it is more than just a means of transportation.

Fair enough. It just doesn't seem worth stressing over to me.

[328i]

Originally Posted by Lassaxi

Well, now you're being a little dramatic. You actually think a car wash is worse than letting bird crap, bug juice, and salt sit on your car's finish? A car wash might leave minor, barely noticeable (and easily fixable) swirl marks on your clear coat, but being parked outside all year can cause actual damage to the finish.

A lot of you guys are acting like they clean your car with sandpaper. I don't know what sorts of car washes you guys have used, but my car comes out clean and looking nice. Sure, there are some (light and barely noticeable) swirl marks, but so what? Do you change your shirt when you get to work because it got wrinkled on your commute?

Out of curiosity, have you guys read the studies from the University of Texas and the Technical University of Munich that found that, for most people, hand washing was more damaging to the finish than a brushless car wash? They're industry-sponsored studies, and probably not rigorously controlled, but does anyone know of any studies that reach a different conclusion?

The car wash also uses strong chemicals that will strip your wax, making your paint more prone to damage from bird bombs and bug juice, etc. Also, if the car is parked outside all year it's parked outside all year, it doesn't make a difference how its washed, it will still be exposed to the same things. And hand washing only causes more damage if they are using improper techniques.

[picus]

Originally Posted by Lassaxi

Out of curiosity, have you guys read the studies from the University of Texas and the Technical University of Munich that found that, for most people, hand washing was more damaging to the finish than a brushless car wash? They're industry-sponsored studies, and probably not rigorously controlled, but does anyone know of any studies that reach a different conclusion?

I bolded the important part. Most people don't know how to wash a car properly. 90%+ of the customers I see the first time have been washing improperly for years; so yes a touchless would be better for them.

I can promise that by following a few easy steps and using the right products (which cost under $20), you can spend 45 minutes washing your car properly, and it will look better when you're done, you won't have stripped your wax or had to deal with rails, you won't have been using recycled water, and you will never see "light swirls".

Some folks don't care about stripped wax or rails or swirls; that's cool. To each their own, right?

[Lassaxi]

Originally Posted by picus

I bolded the important part. Most people don't know how to wash a car properly. 90%+ of the customers I see the first time have been washing improperly for years; so yes a touchless would be better for them.

I can promise that by following a few easy steps and using the right products (which cost under $20), you can spend 45 minutes washing your car properly, and it will look better when you're done, you won't have stripped your wax or had to deal with rails, you won't have been using recycled water, and you will never see "light swirls".

Some folks don't care about stripped wax or rails or swirls; that's cool. To each their own, right?

I agree 100%. It's totally a trade-off. For me, 45 minutes is a long time to spend every week just washing my car. A few light swirls are totally worth the convenience. But I'm glad you guys take the time, because I sure like looking at the pictures!

[Ryan323i]

Plus a few light swirls can always be corrected without too much trouble anyway! I'm starting to realize that I probably won't always have the time to spend on my car as I have had in the past. That's why I am going for silver!

[TRICKE90]

+1 to Picus, I have learned the hard way. I would NEVER EVER take my $50,000 car through a car wash. Through trial & error I think I have become part of that 10%. I actually like washing my car (its almost like therapy).
But I am very careful with the products I use and the way I use them and have finally gotten spectacular results. Glad to see you back Picus.