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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wash, Wax, Detailing and Cosmetic protection/repairs > Car wash or Hand wash?



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      08-12-2005, 08:44 AM   #23
bzzbenz
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I hand wash mine once a week sometimes twice. I use an electric leaf blower to dry the car (to prevent swirl marks). I also clean my wheels every other day. Black requires 24 hr care...
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      08-19-2005, 09:12 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bzzbenz
I hand wash mine once a week sometimes twice. I use an electric leaf blower to dry the car (to prevent swirl marks). I also clean my wheels every other day. Black requires 24 hr care...
Sadly I plan on washing my car twice a week and it is going to be white. I really want to keep a CCA quality paint finish and so I think I am going to be spending a lot of money on product!
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      08-19-2005, 10:20 PM   #25
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How many employees at car washes rinse the mitt off after they drop it? How many of them own $40k autos? How many of them give a hoot whether or not they swirl the living bejesus out of your car?

Sorry, but no car washes (even hand jobs touchless, or heaven forbid, the type with the spinning brillo pads....ever seen a Maybach at a car wash???
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      09-23-2005, 09:47 AM   #26
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What about hand car washes? I was thinking of taking it to one of those. Anyone have any good experiences in the South Bay, CA area?
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      10-07-2005, 01:31 PM   #27
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So what do you all you hand-washing afficiondos suggest for when temperatures are below freezing? Washing the car is more important than ever because of the grime and road salt. But hand-washing isn't exactly an option unless I want the driveway, the car, and myself encased in ice at the end.

I always go to a touchless car-wash, these shouldn't be too bad eh? Besides, I have enough gas points now for over 30 free car washes.


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      10-08-2005, 09:15 PM   #28
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car wash

but, not those gas station car wash centers... (very bad)
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      10-08-2005, 09:18 PM   #29
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Hand wash, or goto a professional detailer who washes and waxes the car indoors.
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      10-18-2005, 10:49 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Choon
car wash

but, not those gas station car wash centers... (very bad)
I took my E90 through a Shell gas station car wash. It actually wasn't that bad except for these red flakes that were left over from the towel they used...but of course I would never do it again.
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      10-18-2005, 11:18 AM   #31
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I know this has been posted before but this is the bible to detailing.........I swear by it.........
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=158378
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      10-19-2005, 03:47 PM   #32
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OK ENOUGH!!! All this advice is wearing me down. Here it is in a nut shell:
1) hand wash only with lambswool. If you cant use lambswool, use terry cloth, but it can leave swirls. The terry cloth's "loops" in the fabric hold dirt out of the way so they do not get ground back into the surface. Machine wash your mitt or terry cloth after every car wash, and DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTNER-it clogs the loops, preventing contaminate pickup.
2) Use the right soap for the job. Brand new cars need a "gold colored" soap. I prefer Meguiars Gold Class soap. It, like other gold colored soaps, have clear coat conditioners. DO NOT USE DISH SOAP OR DRIVE THRU CAR WAS SOAP!! They are heavy duty surfactants designed for 1 thing-to strip a surface of contaminates, including waxes, polishes, and can dull (haze) clear bras.
3) DO NOT DRY WITH A TOWEL , TERRY CLOTH OR OTHERWISE. If you have cleaned the surface properly, rinse without water pressure, allowing the water to cascade over the surface. You will find drying with a squeege or chamois much faster, easier, and no streaks. This is preferable especially if washing in direct sunlight. Dry from the top down starting witht he roof, the the windows, etc.
I have been detailing professionally for 20 years. There are numerous reputable car washes that wash by hand in every city. ]
I hope this helps you maintain that showroom finish.
Happy washing!!!
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      10-19-2005, 04:31 PM   #33
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Car washes are fine if u get the touchless ones. If you're worried about your wheels make sure u go to the newer ones without rails and are also touchless.
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      04-14-2020, 01:10 PM   #34
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Swirl marks are simply super fine scratches on a paint surface. They are most commonly caused by wiping your car with a dry towel (typically when it's dusty). Improper washing and drying techniques are culprits as well.

Does not really matter you do it by hand or machine...... It's crucial to use non-abrasive solutions, use a microfiber towel, and apply just a tiny amount of polisher and wax.

Hope this helps
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      04-14-2020, 01:20 PM   #35
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If you truly love your car.. you will definitely do it with your hand.. Trust me it gives an immense satisfaction.. But there are few things to be kept in mind while doing it.. You must use a very soft micro fabric towel to avoid swirls.. car shampoo should be mild and a soft brush to clean the rims..
Thats it...Hope it comes out shiny
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      04-14-2020, 02:06 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by advrider6510 View Post
If you truly love your car.. you will definitely do it with your hand.. Trust me it gives an immense satisfaction.. But there are few things to be kept in mind while doing it.. You must use a very soft micro fabric towel to avoid swirls.. car shampoo should be mild and a soft brush to clean the rims..
Thats it...Hope it comes out shiny
Hey bud, this thread is from 2005.

Washing methods and products have been beaten to death here between then and now.

By the way, welcome to the forum!
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      04-14-2020, 05:25 PM   #37
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Shouldn't there be a "disapprove" option next to the "appreciate"? Bumping a fifteen year old thread should automatically trigger one.
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      04-23-2020, 06:54 PM   #38
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Hand wash all day!
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      04-24-2020, 12:47 AM   #39
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I wanted to add my two cents to this old thread. I spent a lot of time detailing my car doing a three stage compound and polish to have it looking excellent. Then ruined it all a few months later in an automatic carwash. Those rollers combined with aggressive dirty drying rags from the attendants left a ton of ultra fine streaks ruining all my hard work.

Fortunately there are three car washes near my house that do hand washes for $20.
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      05-12-2020, 10:00 AM   #40
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Touch washes must be ok in some places. Personally I go for the drive in, touchless ones in the winter.

I saw this once in a show, looks pretty impressive.
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      05-26-2020, 09:59 PM   #41
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I only hand wash my car.
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      05-26-2020, 10:13 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssangjune View Post
Are anyone of you going to put your car through a car wash or are you all going to hand wash it? I heard car washes put swirls and little scratch marks on the body.

Any tips for hand washing? Do rims need separate cleaners?

thanks.
Hand wash..............
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      07-14-2020, 11:21 AM   #43
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I have a ceramic coating, not a fan of swirl marks. Hand washing keeps those at bay. The ceramic does a good job of self washing in the rain as well.
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      07-15-2020, 11:34 AM   #44
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I always hand wash my cars, unless I'm lazy, in which case I take it to a local "touchless" car wash.
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