Car Wash

rjd598 · 03-25-2009, 08:32 PM

so the bsm color is starting to really piss me off because it gets soo dirty FAST

.I usually wash the car myself and it stays pretty clean until some bird shits on it or dust falls on.Its getting really hard to maintain and i was wondering what you guys do.How many of you take your car to the car wash and just let them do it?

blue2fire · 03-25-2009, 08:34 PM

It easily swirls as well. I personally don't trust the Car Wash people. Wash it on the weekend if you can spare the time.

J BONE · 03-25-2009, 08:35 PM

Never! I would not take your car to a car wash because it will scratch the hell out of it. One, those washes will cause swirls like crazy and two, the towels they use to dry it will make it even worse. BSM is tough to keep clean but better than the jet black. Try some ONR, easy and fast to use. Pick up some decent MF towels and you will be set. Well, a good start at least!

yomama69 · 03-25-2009, 08:36 PM

I take mine to the wash. We have a really good wash and hand dry with microfiber towels. I get it done like every 2 days. I have no swirls from the car wash.

canucklion · 03-25-2009, 08:36 PM

what did you expect, seriously? It's a black car. Any dark-coloured cars is going to get dirty real fast no matter how often you wash it.

Browse the detailing/washing sub-forum for tips on maintaining the luster of your car's paint.

BMW1986 · 03-25-2009, 08:37 PM

HANDWASH ONLY! Car washes will wreck your whipp!!

stickypaws · 03-25-2009, 09:04 PM

1) Detail it with a pro 2x a year.
2) Hand wash yourself at home or in a coin-op when in the mood.
3) Drive it dirty. No big deal.

blakjack23 · 03-25-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickypaws

1) Detail it with a pro 2x a year.
2) Hand wash yourself at home or in a coin-op when in the mood.
3) Drive it dirty. No big deal.

1-yes
2-yes
3-blasphemy!

92tripleblack · 03-26-2009, 05:22 AM

That's the price of a black car. Get a good multiple coat wax job on it, then washing takes minutes. Hose, bucket with water and very little car wash soap. and a sheepskintyp brush, the kind they use for sheepskin wash mitts on a handle. Keep the car wet and rub front to back. You'll have the body done in 10 minutes, another 10 for the wheels. Dry with an absorber, 10 minutes and repeat weekly. Rewax every 4-6 as needed.

adelphi_sky · 03-26-2009, 10:12 AM

I take it to a certain car wash. Yes, there are the gas station car washes and some shops that have the plastic strands. I agree, they will scratch the car. But there are ones that have the shammy material? Not sure, but they don't whip your car. They drape over it and go back and forth. No spinning pom poms with bristles. Just spray for the sides. Car came out without any scratches. Also has a blow drier so you don't have to worry about someone using a scratchy towel. I've seen lots of customers with luxury cars go there, so I assume it's safe.

STE92VE · 03-26-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW1986

HANDWASH ONLY! Car washes will wreck your whipp!!

+1
Mine has never seen the inside of a car wash, and I certainly don't let the dealer touch my paint.

To the OP, have you considered a high quality car cover?

-=Hot|Ice=- · 03-26-2009, 10:42 AM

Wash it myself. Jet black looks Sexy when it's clean. I have the the quick detailer spray for times like this. I fully support Meguiars products.

montreal red · 03-26-2009, 10:56 AM

i use a touchless car wash over here during the winter... either that or i go to those self serve wash bays... takes literally 5 mins to do a quick wash of the car. it wont be 100% clean but it gets a lot of the salt and grime off the vehicle during the winter...

during the summer when its warm outside, i wash my own car by hand.

Indy335iCp · 03-26-2009, 11:18 AM

Since I split time between two different places, I don't always have the time to hand wash. Luckily, one of the places I spend my time at has a pretty good car wash, that hand dries with micro fiber towels. They do a really good job, but it is expensive, like 16-20bucks or something like that. Get what you pay for I suppose.

methodtim · 03-26-2009, 11:23 AM

I just can't resist...

-=Hot|Ice=- · 03-26-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by methodtim

I just can't resist...

High pressure water may dent your car. The cloth they are using will absolutely obliterate the paint and that's not the way to clean the interior effectively/

rjd598 · 03-26-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STE92VE

+1
Mine has never seen the inside of a car wash, and I certainly don't let the dealer touch my paint.

To the OP, have you considered a high quality car cover?

yea i have one but i dont let the car sit for long periods.i wash it every week but its just getting a bit tedious

jopa489 · 03-26-2009, 12:53 PM

A good touchless wash in the winter months for me, and only hand washes as soon as it gets above freezing outside.

If you're going to go through the trouble of not running it through a normal car wash, make sure you tell the dealer to not touch the paint when you leave it for service. I'd bring it to them spotless, ask my SA to ensure it doesn't get washed, and leave an additional note in the car to be sure. I've heard FAR too many horror stories about dealer "spa treatments" to even consider letting them touch it. /rant

Browse the detailing forum here and learn some of the methods. For a JB or BSM car, it really does take more time and care to keep looking good. But when it's clean, it's sexy as hell. There are loads of products you can use on the weekend to keep your car looking great. It doesn't require a professional 20 hour day detail every week. Dedicate a couple of hours to it and you'll be pleased.

That is, until it rains.

hold fast sailor · 03-26-2009, 04:02 PM

Did anyone notice knife the guy has strapped to his leg at 0:50?

Those car washes must have been dangerous places in the 70's.

J BONE · 03-26-2009, 05:15 PM

Touchless wash and ONR, the only way to go. Car has never seen a car wash in almost two years, and my paint speaks for itself.

bierry · 03-28-2009, 02:35 PM

take it to the car wash they use deionized water. then just polish/clay/wax, etc. yourself

E92murdered · 03-29-2009, 02:23 AM

has anyone tried those car washes at the mall? they have them in san diego. its a full hand car wash.. anygood?

03-25-2009, 08:32 PM	#1
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Car Wash so the bsm color is starting to really piss me off because it gets soo dirty FAST.I usually wash the car myself and it stays pretty clean until some bird shits on it or dust falls on.Its getting really hard to maintain and i was wondering what you guys do.How many of you take your car to the car wash and just let them do it?
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03-25-2009, 08:35 PM	#3
J BONE The Boss 110 Rep 4,948 Posts Drives: %E2%80%9816 F15 X6 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Illinois iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 E92 335xi [9.00]	Never! I would not take your car to a car wash because it will scratch the hell out of it. One, those washes will cause swirls like crazy and two, the towels they use to dry it will make it even worse. BSM is tough to keep clean but better than the jet black. Try some ONR, easy and fast to use. Pick up some decent MF towels and you will be set. Well, a good start at least! __________________ 2016 F16 X6 2015 F15 X5- Retired 2013 F10 535xi- Retired 2011 E92 M3- Retired 2011 E90 335- Retired 2008 E92 335- Retired
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03-25-2009, 08:36 PM	#4
yomama69 Banned 60 Rep 688 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, Texas iTrader: (0)	I take mine to the wash. We have a really good wash and hand dry with microfiber towels. I get it done like every 2 days. I have no swirls from the car wash.
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03-25-2009, 08:36 PM	#5
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	what did you expect, seriously? It's a black car. Any dark-coloured cars is going to get dirty real fast no matter how often you wash it. Browse the detailing/washing sub-forum for tips on maintaining the luster of your car's paint. __________________
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03-25-2009, 08:37 PM	#6
BMW1986 Major 92 Rep 1,465 Posts Drives: 11 M3 E92 ZCP JB/PS & BLK Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (7)	HANDWASH ONLY! Car washes will wreck your whipp!! __________________ 11 E92 M3 DCT Jerez Black ZCP...Eisenmann, Dinan, Fabspeed, IND, LUX
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03-25-2009, 09:04 PM	#7
stickypaws Dictator 55 Rep 1,811 Posts Drives: people crazy Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: where you want to be iTrader: (0)	1) Detail it with a pro 2x a year. 2) Hand wash yourself at home or in a coin-op when in the mood. 3) Drive it dirty. No big deal.
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03-26-2009, 05:22 AM	#9
92tripleblack Lieutenant 20 Rep 500 Posts Drives: e93 AW Saddle, Spt, Prem Join Date: May 2008 Location: Windermere, FL (Mickey) iTrader: (0)	That's the price of a black car. Get a good multiple coat wax job on it, then washing takes minutes. Hose, bucket with water and very little car wash soap. and a sheepskintyp brush, the kind they use for sheepskin wash mitts on a handle. Keep the car wet and rub front to back. You'll have the body done in 10 minutes, another 10 for the wheels. Dry with an absorber, 10 minutes and repeat weekly. Rewax every 4-6 as needed. __________________ 2008 E93 SC Deliv. 6/08, AW/Saddle, Sport, Prem, 6MT, CA, Ipod, Passthru, JB3 1.22, 19" Linea Corse Lemans, Mich PS2, V1, Laser Interceptor, Garmin 260W. Soon: Aerokit, Tint 08 C300 White/Black, AMG Wheels, Sport, Prem 1, Pan Roof, Ipod, Auto (Hers) 05 Armada LE 4x4
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03-26-2009, 10:12 AM	#10
adelphi_sky First Lieutenant 12 Rep 374 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 328i Jet Black Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Adelphi, MD iTrader: (0)	I take it to a certain car wash. Yes, there are the gas station car washes and some shops that have the plastic strands. I agree, they will scratch the car. But there are ones that have the shammy material? Not sure, but they don't whip your car. They drape over it and go back and forth. No spinning pom poms with bristles. Just spray for the sides. Car came out without any scratches. Also has a blow drier so you don't have to worry about someone using a scratchy towel. I've seen lots of customers with luxury cars go there, so I assume it's safe.
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03-26-2009, 10:56 AM	#13
montreal red chris 278 Rep 12,144 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	i use a touchless car wash over here during the winter... either that or i go to those self serve wash bays... takes literally 5 mins to do a quick wash of the car. it wont be 100% clean but it gets a lot of the salt and grime off the vehicle during the winter... during the summer when its warm outside, i wash my own car by hand. __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
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03-26-2009, 11:18 AM	#14
Indy335iCp Private First Class 3 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Coupe BSM/CR Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Since I split time between two different places, I don't always have the time to hand wash. Luckily, one of the places I spend my time at has a pretty good car wash, that hand dries with micro fiber towels. They do a really good job, but it is expensive, like 16-20bucks or something like that. Get what you pay for I suppose.
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03-26-2009, 11:23 AM	#15
methodtim Brigadier General 374 Rep 3,883 Posts Drives: Audi RS Q8 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Darkness there, and nothing more iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Audi RS Q8 [0.00] 2021 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 Toyota Tacoma [0.00]	I just can't resist... __________________
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03-26-2009, 12:53 PM	#18
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	A good touchless wash in the winter months for me, and only hand washes as soon as it gets above freezing outside. If you're going to go through the trouble of not running it through a normal car wash, make sure you tell the dealer to not touch the paint when you leave it for service. I'd bring it to them spotless, ask my SA to ensure it doesn't get washed, and leave an additional note in the car to be sure. I've heard FAR too many horror stories about dealer "spa treatments" to even consider letting them touch it. /rant Browse the detailing forum here and learn some of the methods. For a JB or BSM car, it really does take more time and care to keep looking good. But when it's clean, it's sexy as hell. There are loads of products you can use on the weekend to keep your car looking great. It doesn't require a professional 20 hour day detail every week. Dedicate a couple of hours to it and you'll be pleased. That is, until it rains. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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03-26-2009, 04:02 PM	#19
hold fast sailor Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2007 Graphite 335i 6MT Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Did anyone notice knife the guy has strapped to his leg at 0:50? Those car washes must have been dangerous places in the 70's.
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03-26-2009, 05:15 PM	#20
J BONE The Boss 110 Rep 4,948 Posts Drives: %E2%80%9816 F15 X6 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Illinois iTrader: (12) Garage List 2008 E92 335xi [9.00]	Touchless wash and ONR, the only way to go. Car has never seen a car wash in almost two years, and my paint speaks for itself. __________________ 2016 F16 X6 2015 F15 X5- Retired 2013 F10 535xi- Retired 2011 E92 M3- Retired 2011 E90 335- Retired 2008 E92 335- Retired
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03-28-2009, 02:35 PM	#21
bierry Private 0 Rep 54 Posts Drives: pondering which tune again Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: us iTrader: (0)	take it to the car wash they use deionized water. then just polish/clay/wax, etc. yourself
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03-29-2009, 02:23 AM	#22
E92murdered Lieutenant Colonel 101 Rep 1,668 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: san diego iTrader: (5)	has anyone tried those car washes at the mall? they have them in san diego. its a full hand car wash.. anygood?
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