[BMW5and7]

I've been taking one of my cars to one of the modern auto-car washing stations and I really haven't noticed any scratches or damage on my 2019 BMW 530e Alpine white.

I've been thinking to also register my BMW X7 Black Carbon for monthly subscription.


Do you really believe that the new/moderns ones scratch the paint? or is that just an exaggeration or reputation from older auto-car washing stations? Looking at the micro-fiber blades, they seem to be rotating quickly but also soft enough to not damage/scratch the paint.


What do you all think?

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

I've been taking one of my cars to one of the modern auto-car washing stations and I really haven't noticed any scratches or damage on my 2019 BMW 530e Alpine white.

I've been thinking to also register my BMW X7 Black Carbon for monthly subscription.


Do you really believe that the new/moderns ones scratch the paint? or is that just an exaggeration or reputation from older auto-car washing stations? Looking at the micro-fiber blades, they seem to be rotating quickly but also soft enough to not damage/scratch the paint.


What do you all think?

Without a doubt. It'll be harder to see the scratches on the white, but TRUST ME, they will be VERY noticeable on CB. They dry all the cars with the same rag, from the barely dirty to the truck that went mud-running. The brushes, whether plastic or chamois, will also scratch the finish. After our last major road trip (over 5K miles) I took our CB F10 to the car wash to get the bugs off (the car wash didn't get them all). I had to spend a whole day trying to remove all the scratches. I did get them all with compounds & my orbital buffer.

[Mandingo9]

Yes it will annihilate carbon black. Take your white car in a dark location like a garage and put your phones flashlight on the paint. You'll see the micro marring aka swirls. The car wash may not "scratch" it to the point where you can feel it with your finger nail but it will damage your paint on a micro level.

[NGT2]

You can't see it on the white car. If I had white or silver, I'd be tempted to use the auto wash. I would not take a dark car.

[I3LaZeN]

Once you know about swirls, no matter the color, you will see it, in sunlight or at night time when a light is hitting it.
Dont do it!!

[eliphil]

my local car wash claims the material they use does not cause swirls and that the dry guys change towels but when the owner isnt there which is often wash at your own risk. I take my older car there and do a mini clean up after with their rags and vacuum. My new car goes exclusively to the hand car wash where they take extra care to do it right. I am beginning to see that less is better but w OCD its hard for me to wait

[SomaM550i]

Lol yea don't ever do auto wash. Those same bristles that cleaned the mud off the F250 and are coming for your paint. Go watch OG garage and then tone it down. You can invest in a good pressure washer and do a wash system that will save you thousands in the long run and your car will need less paint corrections.

[AP]

If you are concerned about your paintwork
Never let anyone else clean it
(Including dealers)

These are worth watching if not already seen

I just cringe anytime I walk past a car washing establishment, you are literally paying someone to damage your paintwork!

[r1cero]

There are now contactless auto car washes. They don't wash as good but it won't damage the paint.

[Joe-BMW33]

Anything that touches your car will scratch it. Now, you may not have noticed any traditional "scratches" but you will have micro scratches over the entire car from a touch wash, these are better known as swirls. Take a look at your CBM car in direct sunlight, even once through will create swirls.

Think about those "soft" brushless cloths that slam your car. They are 100% saturated with dirt and sand from other cars going through. You are basically taking fine grit sandpaper to your car everytime you go through. Then there is the crew when you exit that wipe your car down with the same cloths they use on other cars that collect dirt and sand.

Either wash your car the right way (happy to overload you will what is the right way) or don't wash it at all. Same thing goes for "quick detailer" people use for a quick clean when the car "isn't that dirty". You are rubbing fine sand into the paint.

Next time you think your car is "clean", after a few miles of driving, run your hand over the paint and feel all the sand deposits you can't see. You are rubbing these in with automatic carwashes and rubbing in everyone else's sand.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by r1cero

There are now contactless auto car washes. They don't wash as good but it won't damage the paint.

Touchless is definitely a better alternative and you are right, they don't clean it very well. That said, some use such a high PSI that they can damage your clearcoat and paint. Then there are the unknown chemical soaps and waxes you can't seem to deselect that probably blast off your $2,000 ceramic coating. Finally, there is the "spot free rinse" that creates a haze and more spots than if you didn't use it.

[Opie55]

It's not so much what the material is made of that touches your car, it's that tiny bits of grit from previous cars are captured in the material AND that you have grit on your car that the material is wiping off across your paint in a water slurry. You are basically wet sanding your car every time you use a car wash like that.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by Opie55

It's not so much what the material is made of that touches your car, it's that tiny bits of grit from previous cars are captured in the material AND that you have grit on your car that the material is wiping off across your paint in a water slurry. You are basically wet sanding your car every time you use a car wash like that.

Exactly my point and spot on. I think some people drink the "soft cloth" cool-aide when 20 years ago there were nylon brushes, so soft cloth is safe.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by AP

If you are concerned about your paintwork
Never let anyone else clean it
(Including dealers)

These are worth watching if not already seen

I just cringe anytime I walk past a car washing establishment, you are literally paying someone to damage your paintwork!

I don't let the dealer wash my car. I know Joe doesn't either.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by NGT2

I don't let the dealer wash my car. I know Joe doesn't either.

Nope, I have a big flag on my account, then I make the SA write it on the work order, then I hang a sign from the mirror - DO NOT WASH.

[AP]

Same for me. Tell service person to not wash and put a sign on dashboard to not wash.

Car is now 5 years old and no obvious swirls that I can see.

[jcal65]

An often overlooked negative of automatic car washes, especially touch-less, is the of use industrial strength alkaline enhanced degreasing shampoo to remove dirt. This soap can eat away the clear coat over time, strip any wax or coatings and etch and discolor window trim moldings.

Most do-it-yourself car wash soaps tend to be pH neutral which is safe for your paint or coated paint.

Some examples of trim discoloration from regular car wash visits:

[G30 B58]

Materials used, soaps used, even hard water, they can all leave marks and deposits on the paint.

I bought a water softener just for washing cars.

[Mandingo9]

Originally Posted by jcal65

An often overlooked negative of automatic car washes, especially touch-less, is the of use industrial strength alkaline enhanced degreasing shampoo to remove dirt. This soap can eat away the clear coat over time, strip any wax or coatings and etch and discolor window trim moldings.

Most do-it-yourself car wash soaps tend to be pH neutral which is safe for your paint or coated paint.

Some examples of trim discoloration from regular car wash visits:

This is what's in my nightmares

[Joe-BMW33]

This Facebook Group is a gift and a curse. You will learn a lot from experts and professional detailers, but you will end up spending a lot of money trying out different products and buying the correct car washing tools. I learned everything I know from this group of OCD car people.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/obsessedgarage

[jcal65]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

This Facebook Group is a gift and a curse. You will learn a lot from experts and professional detailers, but you will end up spending a lot of money trying out different products and buying the correct car washing tools. I learned everything I know from this group of OCD car people.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/obsessedgarage

I’ve been watching Matt on YouTube since last Oct. and I have learned a lot. I’ve said this before, but I hate wasting money on products that don’t work. So far, everything I have purchased from him has been amazing!

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by jcal65

I’ve been watching Matt on YouTube since last Oct. and I have learned a lot. I’ve said this before, but I hate wasting money on products that don’t work. So far, everything I have purchased from him has been amazing!

Oh everything works for sure. My problem is I want to try everything recommended, even the stuff that does the same thing as stuff I already have. Then there are new products that he likes more than what he liked before, so I order that.

I also trust the community there, who also share positive experiences on products.