[dfk911sc]

Originally Posted by TheStigsTwin

I should be convinced but i'm not. Plus, I don't think I can say goodbye to the car+ me time. It's important to our relationship.

+1 additionally I don't think that many vehicles you see that are truely detailed are regularly machine washed. During a long road trip, love bug season, yes...but then back home for a proper cleaning.

[Joonsup]

Originally Posted by morfinx

What about the newer "laser touchless" washes?

If you must use machine wash, The laserjet washes found at some Chevron gas stations (at least here in the bay area it's at Chevron stations), would be ideal but ONLY if your car is in need of a detail in the near future. The ones I have been to does not have rails that would risk damaging your wheels. It only has a stopper to let you know how far to drive in. Since no brushes/bristles touch the car they rely on a pretty strong chemical for the soap which is known to strip the wax. Although it may not do so after one wash, over a number of washes it'll take off your wax. So use those washes sparingly depending on your car paint's condition. That's my opinion.

[InsanePineapple]

Originally Posted by Nick@DetailAddict

If you must use machine wash, The laserjet washes found at some Chevron gas stations (at least here in the bay area it's at Chevron stations), would be ideal but ONLY if your car is in need of a detail in the near future. The ones I have been to does not have rails that would risk damaging your wheels. It only has a stopper to let you know how far to drive in. Since no brushes/bristles touch the car they rely on a pretty strong chemical for the soap which is known to strip the wax. Although it may not do so after one wash, over a number of washes it'll take off your wax. So use those washes sparingly depending on your car paint's condition. That's my opinion.

So what would you suggest for an apartment dweller who can't wash his own car?

[taibanl]

I use a laserwash. No wheel guide. I get good results. Detailled/sealed/and waxed paint before winter, will do again next mobth

[TheStigsTwin]

Originally Posted by bettino

you are right...
it's a normal business oriented fake research from a not indipendent but sponsored University...

very sad, but very common

I use to wash myself my car , more or less like you, and I'm very proud of the results...

Nice touring!

[dday]

Originally Posted by djpeetur

ughhhaaaahh u made me feel bad now. just to lazy to hand wash im in and out of the car wash in 3 min, they towel dry it at the end of the line and clean my wheels and tires. and i wash my car 4-6 times a month

So yeah, that towel dry at the end? Those towels aren't clean, those towels alone are doing tons of damage to your paint.

[Holliday]

This is what a friend of mine did after attempting to wash his car. This was his first time mind you..............

This is how ignorant people care for their cars, so statistically I can see why. But realistically I know hand washing with proper technique and good products will yield way better results than any car was



Read this for more: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=499593

[MuttGrunt]

You can always tell which threads didn't originate in the detailing sub-forum / didn't have detailing enthusiasts directing them.

If you enjoy going to the machine wash, good for you. I hope you enjoy your swirled by dirt-free car!

Everything has already been said on the flaws of the original post and what needs to be done to achieve proper results.

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by chowser51

Not the cars, I was guarding the guy taking all the cash from the customers for the wash.


Has anyone here ever used one of those silicone blades to dry the car? I forget what they are called, california blades or something.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, I didn't even think of that.


I've used a California Water Blade. It didn't scratch at all, and worked well. But the potential is there, so I scared myself out of ever using it again.

[Pinarello Rider]

The amount of ignorance in this thread is astounding.

[Holliday]

Originally Posted by Pinarello Rider

The amount of ignorance in this thread is astounding.

enlighten the thread with your knowledge

[Pinarello Rider]

Originally Posted by Holliday

enlighten the thread with your knowledge

I've been on the world wide internets long to know that there is no point - I won't change any minds. I could type out a 2 page response to each uninformed remark, and noone would read it.

[Holliday]

Originally Posted by Pinarello Rider

I've been on the world wide internets long to know that there is no point - I won't change any minds. I could type out a 2 page response to each uninformed remark, and noone would read it.

So make it sweet and simple..............

Hand wash, or machine wash? What do you do/prefer??

[TOGWT]

With detailing advice you should always consider its source; commercialism brings with it concerns of honesty and true representation. In other words, it’s difficult to know what is true when someone is motivated by income, i.e. directly targeted at product sales, more so than an unbiased opinion. Marketing has little if anything to do with the truth or what was really in the products

[Pinarello Rider]

Originally Posted by Holliday

So make it sweet and simple..............

Hand wash, or machine wash? What do you do/prefer??

It's not about what I prefer. It's about having an honest discussion free of myth, conjecture, and selective anecdotes. These discussions always have the same people, just different userids. The myth that all car washes damage your paint, scratch your rims, and are run by illegal aliens/"the man" who HATES your car and are EVIL drives me crazy. Then, you get the "professional detailer" who comes in and says "the car wash industry is evil - visit my site for the RIGHT way to do it. And while you're there, buy THESE products". Because homey has a "website" and some tutorials, he is automatically an expert on the entire industry.

In some cases, hand washing can be better for your car that machine washing. In many other cases, it is about the same, and in other cases, it's worse.

But these blanket anti-car wash statements are specious. and in many cases, plain ignorant. Take the "the dirt is still on the brush from the first car". That's ignorant. Those spinning clothes are CONSTANTLY rinsed as they spin - WITH SOAP!!!! The cloth is woven tightly SPECIFICALLY to prevent dirt and sand from becoming embedded in it.

I was in the automatic car wash industry for a long time, and a professional detailer as well, so that's how I know what I'm talking about. I'm not here to tell you what to do with your car, as it's your car and your decision. Do whatever the fuck makes you happiest. Just make sure you have your facts right and don't spout myths.

And before you go there, YES, there are poorly managed and poorly maintained car washes. Just like there are people who piss in your soup at restaurants. That doesn't mean that ALL restaurants are bad, does it? No.

Regarding the article - that study has been around for DECADES. As I said in an earlier post, it was in my dad wash for as long as I can remember. Apparently, it was redone. You can question the validity of it if you want. Personally, I would prefer that it be supported by someone who didn't have a vested interest in the outcome, but that doesn't necessarily invalidate the findings. For all of you purists who are able to take the time, spend the money, and do the research on how to do a hand wash right, there are 50 people out there with dish-soap, paper-towels, and a 5th of Jack Daniels (can't fault them for THAT) washing their car and tearing off letters/numbers. That study may not apply to YOU - but that doesn't mean it is wrong.

[dday]

Originally Posted by Pinarello Rider

It's not about what I prefer. It's about having an honest discussion free of myth, conjecture, and selective anecdotes. These discussions always have the same people, just different userids. The myth that all car washes damage your paint, scratch your rims, and are run by illegal aliens/"the man" who HATES your car and are EVIL drives me crazy. Then, you get the "professional detailer" who comes in and says "the car wash industry is evil - visit my site for the RIGHT way to do it. And while you're there, buy THESE products". Because homey has a "website" and some tutorials, he is automatically an expert on the entire industry.

In some cases, hand washing can be better for your car that machine washing. In many other cases, it is about the same, and in other cases, it's worse.

But these blanket anti-car wash statements are specious. and in many cases, plain ignorant. Take the "the dirt is still on the brush from the first car". That's ignorant. Those spinning clothes are CONSTANTLY rinsed as they spin - WITH SOAP!!!! The cloth is woven tightly SPECIFICALLY to prevent dirt and sand from becoming embedded in it.

I was in the automatic car wash industry for a long time, and a professional detailer as well, so that's how I know what I'm talking about. I'm not here to tell you what to do with your car, as it's your car and your decision. Do whatever the fuck makes you happiest. Just make sure you have your facts right and don't spout myths.

And before you go there, YES, there are poorly managed and poorly maintained car washes. Just like there are people who piss in your soup at restaurants. That doesn't mean that ALL restaurants are bad, does it? No.

Regarding the article - that study has been around for DECADES. As I said in an earlier post, it was in my dad wash for as long as I can remember. Apparently, it was redone. You can question the validity of it if you want. Personally, I would prefer that it be supported by someone who didn't have a vested interest in the outcome, but that doesn't necessarily invalidate the findings. For all of you purists who are able to take the time, spend the money, and do the research on how to do a hand wash right, there are 50 people out there with dish-soap, paper-towels, and a 5th of Jack Daniels (can't fault them for THAT) washing their car and tearing off letters/numbers. That study may not apply to YOU - but that doesn't mean it is wrong.

The study is wrong because it fails to provide detail on how the handwash was done. To your point there are good and bad car washes, so there are also good and bad ways to wash your car. This study comes to the conclusion that machine washing is always better than hand washing which simply isn't true.

You bring a up a few arguments that seem off to me.

1. The brushes spin so the dirt is released
not all car washes have brushes that spin, but even if true does that mean it's flinging sand all over the place? because that doesn't sound good either.

2. The stands are made to release dirt

If this is the case how does it remove the dirt from your car? Is it simply dragging the dirt accross your paint? Perhaps they aren't filled with the dirt of everyone elses car but if they can't capture dirt then they are just dragging it accross your paint.

Fifth gear has a great video showing the damage a car wash does

[Holliday]

Originally Posted by Pinarello Rider

It's not about what I prefer. It's about having an honest discussion free of myth, conjecture, and selective anecdotes. These discussions always have the same people, just different userids. The myth that all car washes damage your paint, scratch your rims, and are run by illegal aliens/"the man" who HATES your car and are EVIL drives me crazy. Then, you get the "professional detailer" who comes in and says "the car wash industry is evil - visit my site for the RIGHT way to do it. And while you're there, buy THESE products". Because homey has a "website" and some tutorials, he is automatically an expert on the entire industry.

In some cases, hand washing can be better for your car that machine washing. In many other cases, it is about the same, and in other cases, it's worse.

But these blanket anti-car wash statements are specious. and in many cases, plain ignorant. Take the "the dirt is still on the brush from the first car". That's ignorant. Those spinning clothes are CONSTANTLY rinsed as they spin - WITH SOAP!!!! The cloth is woven tightly SPECIFICALLY to prevent dirt and sand from becoming embedded in it.

I was in the automatic car wash industry for a long time, and a professional detailer as well, so that's how I know what I'm talking about. I'm not here to tell you what to do with your car, as it's your car and your decision. Do whatever the fuck makes you happiest. Just make sure you have your facts right and don't spout myths.

And before you go there, YES, there are poorly managed and poorly maintained car washes. Just like there are people who piss in your soup at restaurants. That doesn't mean that ALL restaurants are bad, does it? No.

Regarding the article - that study has been around for DECADES. As I said in an earlier post, it was in my dad wash for as long as I can remember. Apparently, it was redone. You can question the validity of it if you want. Personally, I would prefer that it be supported by someone who didn't have a vested interest in the outcome, but that doesn't necessarily invalidate the findings. For all of you purists who are able to take the time, spend the money, and do the research on how to do a hand wash right, there are 50 people out there with dish-soap, paper-towels, and a 5th of Jack Daniels (can't fault them for THAT) washing their car and tearing off letters/numbers. That study may not apply to YOU - but that doesn't mean it is wrong.

Nice reply

So there is really no "better" alternative from one to the other. Looks like polishing wont go away anytime soon

You said you were are pro detailer, what type of wash media do you like to use the best? ie: sponge, boars hair brush, wool mitt, ect.

[EZ_TUR90]

I stopped reading when I saw MACHINE WASH.

[JayKay335i]

Any study funded by the foundation in which swayed results of a study would benefit = BS

OTOH, a moron with a dirty rag and a hose would probably eff the paint up more than a machine wash.

Either way, I definitely wont be purchasing a monthly pass the to local paint destroyer until a study is published saying that CORRECTLY hand washing a car < machine washing.

[Pinarello Rider]

Originally Posted by Holliday

Nice reply

So there is really no "better" alternative from one to the other. Looks like polishing wont go away anytime soon

You said you were are pro detailer, what type of wash media do you like to use the best? ie: sponge, boars hair brush, wool mitt, ect.

Thanks for reading and trying to understand.

We didn't do a lot of exterior work at my shop - the location didn't support real high end detailing. Every situation is different though. I tried to leave the wool pad in the drawer as much as possible . I'm a big fan of the clay bar. Deep cleans without damage.

[Denny347]

I am lucky enough to have a great car wash company local. Been going to them for years without a problem. Mike's Car Wash http://www.mikescarwash.com/default.aspx. I might start hand washing again though for the fun of it. My water softener covers the outside faucet as well.

[Pinarello Rider]

Originally Posted by Denny347

I am lucky enough to have a great car wash company local. Been going to them for years without a problem. Mike's Car Wash http://www.mikescarwash.com/default.aspx. I might start hand washing again though for the fun of it. My water softener covers the outside faucet as well.

I remember hearing good things about Mike's Car Wash at the industry events.