bloody car wash...advice please.

[BRG/Blk Cooper S]

Quote: Originally Posted by dakini (original)

there are times though when they're really necessary. we spend most of our winter well below 0 and the heated car washes are the only way to get the salt off the car and the undercarriage. in fact, my dealer recommends regularly using one in winter.

you just can't clear your car by hand in the dead of winter unless you want an icy drive and frostbite. nor can you get the underside by yourself.

Not really 100% true, mechanical car washes don't do any sort of effective underbody wash from what I've seen - it's a bit of a quick spray that they somehow justify with an extra price tag.

A Jet-Wash on the other hand will give you a good underbody clean and get the salt of the car - plenty of those about (or buy your own) and used carefully they don't cause damage.

I lived on Long Island NY for a year and had many occasions where I had to shovel snow off the cars and driveway - still managed to wash them by hand though.

A dealer might recommend using a car wash in extreme climates but the fact is that those great big brushes do a brilliant job of grinding the dirt, salt and road grime into your paint - use a car wash, expect paint damage..

[Richard Crofts]

TBH most car washes have a thing that says vehicles are washed at owners risk...I have never seen one without it for years....I think youre on to a looser, buyt you can try.

[KitKat]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lawrothegreat (original)

Car washers are absolutely fine most of the time and are unlikely to cause damage, but they do carry a risk (as does hand washing if you're not careful). The only way to be really sure is to wash the car yourself always using a new sponge.

A SPONGE!!!! If people on the detailing forum get wind of that comment they'll have you shot!

[Sooper Rob]

Quote: Originally Posted by KitKat (original)

A SPONGE!!!! If people on the detailing forum get wind of that comment they'll have you shot!

this thread has given me a giggle.

Sorry to hear about the damage westycoopers, I'm not sure if you will get anywhere with it. My advice is first of all not to use one!. However if you do, once the car is washed stop asap and look round for any damage or if you are unhappy with how the car looks.

I've seen the results of bad hand washing and the automatic car wash believe me it's not good, and don't get me started on a waterless car wash

[simon4563]

sheep wool mit all the way

[KitKat]

Now that we're on the topic. How do you get rid of those swirl marks or little scatches on the paintwork.

Just use a good coloured wax?

[dakini]

Quote: Originally Posted by BRG/Blk Cooper S (original)

Not really 100% true, mechanical car washes don't do any sort of effective underbody wash from what I've seen - it's a bit of a quick spray that they somehow justify with an extra price tag.

A Jet-Wash on the other hand will give you a good underbody clean and get the salt of the car - plenty of those about (or buy your own) and used carefully they don't cause damage.

I lived on Long Island NY for a year and had many occasions where I had to shovel snow off the cars and driveway - still managed to wash them by hand though.

A dealer might recommend using a car wash in extreme climates but the fact is that those great big brushes do a brilliant job of grinding the dirt, salt and road grime into your paint - use a car wash, expect paint damage..

when it's -30 for three months of the year here, yes, touchless car washes are the way to go. no way on earth you can wash a car without a heated garage. and even then, you don't want the water on the floor, because it will probably still freeze on contact. i wish we had milder winters ... bring on global warming!

[Darthbladerni]

Sorry to hear about your car!! Hopefully you will get some money back.

I would never use one though, I enjoy washing my car, and giving it a good wax! Every Friday it gets washed and waxed properly with everything done.

Megs, lambswool wash mit for the win.

[RooniusMaximus]

Quote: Originally Posted by KitKat (original)

Now that we're on the topic. How do you get rid of those swirl marks or little scatches on the paintwork.

Just use a good coloured wax?

Sorry to hear of the OP's woes, but here's one answer to your question...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/maintenan...-properly.html

[bobclive]

Don`t use a car wash it will put swirls on your paintwork, this was advice from Mini Nottingham.

[Nath316]

swirls will normally come from the washes that us eths spinning drums etc I use one sometimes locally that doesnt it used the hanging soft touch cloth etc

I only use this as a last resort i have to say as I prefer to use the local albanians

yes it is more expensive 15 quid BUT for that i get a hand wash outside with a hand dry down and chamois dry

I also get teh interior hoovered and all glass hand cleaned and dash wiped down tyres re blacked etc etc

it is basically a valet but the guys know me and they always do a good job!

[Lawrothegreat]

Quote: Originally Posted by KitKat (original)

A SPONGE!!!! If people on the detailing forum get wind of that comment they'll have you shot!

They won't shoot me if I stay in my car, they wouldn't hurt a MINI now?

I like to take good care of my car, but unless it is:

• A very rare classic
• An expensive supercar
• A custom made/developed car
• Going to be kept for a very very long time

then I am quite happy to continue using my sponge technique. Yes I'm sure it does cause micro-scratches, but most cars end up on the scrap heap after 10-15 years. Give it time and early new MINIs will be sold for scrap.

I put 60,000 miles on my first MINI, washed it with a sponge, put it through a carwash many times and when I traded it in the dealer said it was one of the best bodyworks they had seen.

Surely if you use a glossy sealant / protective film, this would protect the actual paint from the rough texture of a sponge anyway?