[Mpetey]

Has anyone experienced discoloring on the shadow trim after an automatic car wash (touchless or otherwise)? Back when i had my X5, the other forums were alive with people going through auto wash and having the chemicals (stain?) the shadow trim.
I didn't know if it was still an issue, it's winter and i would like to go for a touchless car rinse, but am hesitant. Any feedback would be great, thanks!

[Alias1431]

Good question I'd also like to have more data points on.

[deladude]

There are two touchless car washes I use pretty regularly and have not had any issues. I get the middle tier wash without the tri-color wax foam FWIW.

[youngdoc1]

Using the shell ultimate soft brush fairly often (once a month or so). No issues.

[Barbja]

Originally Posted by Mpetey

Has anyone experienced discoloring on the shadow trim after an automatic car wash (touchless or otherwise)? Back when i had my X5, the other forums were alive with people going through auto wash and having the chemicals (stain?) the shadow trim.
I didn't know if it was still an issue, it's winter and i would like to go for a touchless car rinse, but am hesitant. Any feedback would be great, thanks!

Are you talking about getting some kind of weird rainbow effect on it? I used to get that on my first (way back) X5 when I started running it through automatic car washes (it was 7yo; I didn't care so much anymore). I found that scratch-X would clean them up nicely.

After that car, I didn't run any of my cars through a wash until I got a white one. I would run my last car through the was all the time, but I always chose the super-base level option and never had a problem. (You don't even have to get out of the car for base level; it's perfect for me!)

[ktmklf]

The black part of the upper rear spoiler on my 2019 x3 m40i faded to sort of an uneven dark gray. My dealership replaced it under warranty but warned me not to use a brushless auto car wash. They thought the hot water and strong chemicals caused the discoloration. The spoiler was the only trim that discolored.

[Alias1431]

DON'T use brushless??? Fuck me. Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't.

[Oldguysrule]

Originally Posted by Alias1431

DON'T use brushless??? Fuck me. Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't.

Time to invest in a Harbor Freight airless sprayer using Optimum rinse free wash I guess. Wash your car with less than 3 gallons of water and blow it almost dry with a leaf blower. Finish up with MF towel. .I'm thinking of getting one. Tired of waiting in line at the car wash.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by ktmklf

The black part of the upper rear spoiler on my 2019 x3 m40i faded to sort of an uneven dark gray. My dealership replaced it under warranty but warned me not to use a brushless auto car wash. They thought the hot water and strong chemicals caused the discoloration. The spoiler was the only trim that discolored.

The glossy black part of the upper liftgate spoiler will get fine scratches in it just by looking at it. BMW needs to do something so that doesn't keep occurring.

[6ixSpd]

Shadowline trim gets that discoloration with automatic car washes pretty commonly unfortunately. It's an issue that goes back to the E46 days...

Period application of wax or sealant helps restore the gloss black finish though.

[TheBarbzm//]

Originally Posted by ktmklf

The black part of the upper rear spoiler on my 2019 x3 m40i faded to sort of an uneven dark gray. My dealership replaced it under warranty but warned me not to use a brushless auto car wash. They thought the hot water and strong chemicals caused the discoloration. The spoiler was the only trim that discolored.

When did you get that replaced, how long did you have the car before getting that done because I have the same issue