[M4Lou]

So, I love this BSM x3mc that is maybe 6 weeks old to me. Love it.

I've read here that dark colors, esp black - will soil very fast. Just going into the purchase I planned on an "all you care to wash" deal with one of these large auto washes (called Zips or Rips or something in upstate SC). Monthly plan. GF does it w/ her Alpine white M40i. I now do it w/ my BSM car.

This is a driver for me w/ my truck too. Opinions on whether these washes overly degrade paint/metallic, etc. ??

Thanks!

[evanlol1225]

Car washes 100% degrade paint over time. Some are better than others but you never know unless you going to find out what specific chemicals they use.

The main concern is swirls/scratches. It literally only takes one trip through the dungeon tunnel of car wash for them to swirl the crap out of your car. However if those don’t bother you, you don’t plan to keep the car more than 5 years. Then screw it and do it lol

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by evanlol1225

Car washes 100% degrade paint over time. Some are better than others but you never know unless you going to find out what specific chemicals they use.

The main concern is swirls/scratches. It literally only takes one trip through the dungeon tunnel of car wash for them to swirl the crap out of your car. However if those don’t bother you, you don’t plan to keep the car more than 5 years. Then screw it and do it lol

lol - thanks for comment. I knew I'd get smoked for this.

I kinda have three/four options (hand wash - lol, no). Leave it dirty a lot. Autowash. Or some ?? type of coating to protect paint.

[evanlol1225]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

lol - thanks for comment. I knew I'd get smoked for this.

I kinda have three/four options (hand wash - lol, no). Leave it dirty a lot. Autowash. Or some ?? type of coating to protect paint.

It’s your car at end of day lol. If you absolutely know you won’t hand wash. Then take it through the carwash! lol

A ceramic coating would keep it cleaner longer and make it easier to wash.

[Gfit]

I would never use an auto wash. I hand wash both cars twice a week even in winter. As long as it’s above freezing, warm bucket of water and good to go.

[Qsilver7]

Dark exterior colors don’t “soil faster” than lighter exterior colors…they all soil the same amount. It’s just that dark exterior colors “SHOW” dust/dirt moreso than most lighter exterior colors.

Oddly, it’s the reverse for the interior.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by evanlol1225

It’s your car at end of day lol. If you absolutely know you won’t hand wash. Then take it through the carwash! lol

A ceramic coating would keep it cleaner longer and make it easier to wash.

Does the dreaded ceramic coating make it more protected in the auto-wash??

[Edgar_FriendlyX3M]

The automatic car washes beat the shit out of your paint. The soap is harsh enough to strip off the wax or ceramic coating and the brushes will leave fine markings in the paint. If you care about your car, avoid the auto wash. Or don't. It's almost the new Year so I don't care. 😆

[evanlol1225]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Does the dreaded ceramic coating make it more protected in the auto-wash??

It really depends on your definition of “protected”
- Protected from swirls/scratches? No. No. No.

- Protects in the sense of keeping the chemicals off your clear coat, mainly yes.

A professionally applied and high quality coating actually bonds into the top layer of your clear. Most protectants (waxes, sealants, cheap/low quality coatings) basically just sit on top and have a very weak bond - hence low durability,

A coating also will still give you same benefits of easier maintenance and keeping the vehicle cleaner longer even if you do auto wash. However it won’t last as long as it would with proper maintenance and hand washing. And Warranties go out the window.

At the end of the day it really does depend on the car wash and what soaps they use. How aggressive of a ph level.

In summary - a coating WILL help and you will get some great benefits. I didn’t even mention gloss! Haha. However it’s not a perfect solution for auto washes and it’s not the best or recommended way to maintain a coating or bare paint for that matter lol

[JABCAT]

There's no way I'd ever put my vehicles through an automatic car wash. I just don't understand those who buy expensive cars then don't properly care for them, unless they just keep them a short time.

Hand wash should be the only option, imo.

[R0ot.Us3r]

In the Winter if its below 50 I send it through a touchless, just to get large debris, then waterless wash in the garage

[thestimp]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

There's no way I'd ever put my vehicles through an automatic car wash. I just don't understand those who buy expensive cars then don't properly care for them, unless they just keep them a short time.

Hand wash should be the only option, imo.

Eh, its a car, not a child, in which case you can beat it then sell it.

[M4Lou]

Originally Posted by thestimp

Eh, its a car, not a child, in which case you can beat it then sell it.

Yeah - I knew I'd get burned for this thread. I take really good mechanical care of my stuff. But CLEARLY not in regards to the paint.

I'd love to find a good option for paint/clean care. But NOT me washing it weekly. lol!!

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by thestimp

Eh, its a car, not a child, in which case you can beat it then sell it.

That's obviously some people's view of things, but not mine.
If I'm going to spend a lot of money on something I'm going to take proper care of it.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by M4Lou

Yeah - I knew I'd get burned for this thread. I take really good mechanical care of my stuff. But CLEARLY not in regards to the paint.

I'd love to find a good option for paint/clean care. But NOT me washing it weekly. lol!!

I'm sure there's a mobile detail service or teenager in your neighborhood that can do a much better job of cleaning the vehicle and not destroy the paint.

[YolkyPalky]

I would totally go through auto car washes, but I did PPF for first time ever (probably won’t in future cuz truth is I could care less about inevitable chips, dings and scratches, which are repairable anyway), and with PPF you can’t auto wash because the jets will lift off the PPF.

So my local super sized gas station/auto car wash also does hand washes and custom detailing, they sold me 12 custom washes (hand washes) for $350, about $29 per, or $34 with $5 tip after each one. A helluva deal I think, and they do a good job, full interior cleaning, exterior hand wash, wheels etc. Downside, you have to wait ~30 mins for it but there are nearby shops so no big deal.

Maybe look for something like that in your area.

[Jnat]

This is so dicey meaning for the most part if you go through s very modern upscale carwash you'll probably only get minor scratches that can be dealt with. Older carwashes can be more damaging and today's paints just aren't holding up like they used to. I personally won't on this vehicle but have at least once on almost every other vehicle i've owned and mostly done it after like a bad snow storm with lots of salt on road just to give it a good soaking.

[thestimp]

Just an FYI to everyone going through self and automated car washes, MANY of these places must filter and recycle water as part of EPA rules, so a lot of the times its filtered to the minimum required spec which means you could have a heavy acid or base water which will eat away at all clearcoat and ceramic coverings. If you love your car, get a filter system $300 for home and do it yourself. If you use automated washes, do it sparingly and never do a touch wash as that just washes your car with the sand and grit that the last wrangle just put on all the brushes, they do not self clean between washes. Swirl city.

Great option for just washers:
https://www.amazon.com/AQUA-CREST-Ce...ps%2C81&sr=8-5

Great options for the hardcore or Detailers business types.
https://www.amazon.com/CR-Spotless-D...0-5ec63b24bcb5

For people with 25% interest rates.
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-TastePU...ps%2C81&sr=8-6

[danniexi]

I only wash the car once every couple of months and when I do I take it to the auto car wash since ive had the entire car PPFd anyway. yeah im that lazy. even taking the 30 minutes out of my life to drive and wait to go through an automatic wash the car is a pain to me.

I was meticulous during the first few months of ownership but eventually, like all things, I stopped caring since I assume the car will eventually be sold and I have zero care over someone else's sloppy seconds. it's basically been wrapped in a condom anyways so whatevs.

[Mnfamilyguy2020]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

There's no way I'd ever put my vehicles through an automatic car wash. I just don't understand those who buy expensive cars then don't properly care for them, unless they just keep them a short time.

Hand wash should be the only option, imo.

This is easy to say from the southern part of the states

In Minnesota hand washing is just not an option for months at a time, do to low temp etc. But the real issue for nearly all of the upper midwest and northeast is the corrosive quality of the salt they put on our roads. It is incredibly harsh and corrosive to absolutely everything on your car. It has to be removed regularly and its everywhere. Brushless car washes are the only choice unless it's below -15F and then your doors will freeze closed so there is no option for that two week period.

I complete a hand polish and wax every quarter on all of my cars to keep shining!

[Th3Walrus]

Same here in Ontario. We pay for a recurring unlimited monthly carwash pass, and the place is 2 mins from our house on the way to work. I've found it slows down the rust, especially on the underside (I pay for the top wash which includes under body blaster).

[YolkyPalky]

Originally Posted by danniexi

I only wash the car once every couple of months and when I do I take it to the auto car wash since ive had the entire car PPFd anyway. yeah im that lazy. even taking the 30 minutes out of my life to drive and wait to go through an automatic wash the car is a pain to me.

I was meticulous during the first few months of ownership but eventually, like all things, I stopped caring since I assume the car will eventually be sold and I have zero care over someone else's sloppy seconds. it's basically been wrapped in a condom anyways so whatevs.

I thought auto washes will lift/move/ruin PPF? Especially if they are high powered jets. May want to be careful about that.