[weezgrrl]

So, I've had my MINI for a couple of weeks now (since Dec 6th), and it's been back to the dealership twice for small servicing, and both times received the dealership car wash. But before I take it on down to the family's house for Christmas Eve, I wanted to get a nice car wash/wax. In Simi Valley we have a Lenny Dykstra's Car Wash. They offer a "Home Run" car wah with entails "sealer wax, polish, conditioning, clearcoat..." blah blah blah, she spoke so fast I couldn't write it all down, and anyways, it's all greek to me.

When I asked her how much this service was, she said about $20, and when I asked how long it took, she said about 20 mins. Is this a good idea? Bad idea? Anything I should look for before I entrust my brand-new car to a car wash?

Anybody have any other ideas for good car washes in the LA-area that won't mess up my MINI in any way?

[Cooper76]

Why not just pay $5 more and get the "Grand Slam Wash" where the old all-star himself comes out and smashes a few baseballs off your car as a photo op. Then he gives you a signed micro-fibre towel.

I'd be leary of auto washes unless they did it by hand and even then...

[Cherry2005]

Quote: Originally Posted by weezgrrl

Anybody have any other ideas for good car washes in the LA-area that won't mess up my MINI in any way?

There's the hand wash place on First Street, but my husband swears by washing his 'Vette himself with microfiber towels (work better than chamois) and Maguires products (it's all he would recommend). At least with a Mini, it will only take you about 2 minutes.

He also says that Lenny Dykstra's isn't such a bad idea, but you want to make sure you have a good coat of wax on it first before taking it there.

[Babes]

I know i wouldnt be putting my minge through an auto car wash..wash it by hand and you will get to know the car..then you can swear and carry on over your first scratch

Nothing will get it as clean as washing it by hand.

[weezgrrl]

Ok, darn it - (sigh), I guess I'll try to wash and wax it myself... but if I mess it up, it's all your faults!!!

[DeniseK]

Stay out of automatic car washes. They're a bad idea. Wash your car by hand. It's a real Zen experience. No better way to get to know your car.

[weezgrrl]

Well, I split the proverbial difference. I took it to a handwash place down the street. I watched them all like a hawk as my MINI went from the initial vacuuming, through the queue of hand washers, to the initial dry, and finally, to the waxing.

The interior smelled of baby powder (at my request) and sparkled like a diamond - all without me having to get dirty on xmas eve...

[Rennie]

That sounds like my kind of car wash! My husband and I recently found a hand carwash a few miles from our house. I had never seen one before. First the car is vacuumed and windows washed inside and out. Then the car goes into the "tunnel", it's wetted down and soap pours over it from the ceiling, and then about 6 or 7 men (women too?) in yellow rain gear surround it and wash it all over....looks pretty thorough to me. Then it's rinsed and hand dried. I haven't gotten my MC yet, but since it's difficult to wash my own car in my development, that seems like the next best thing. I would imagine it could get scratched from using cleaning cloths that may have grit on it from a previous car, it's still the best way for me to keep a clean car.