Automatic Car Wash

M4CompConv/X7 · 04-10-2023, 09:27 PM

Has anyone had any problems taking their precious transportation through an automatic car wash? I'm just wondering if the tires/wheels go through the track, if the automatic cloths are gentle enough, if the suspension clearing the rails, etc. I'm also interested if any effect on soft convertible top.
Before everyone gets triggered by the words, "automatic car wash," please know that I have the entire car covered in XPEL PPF that is self healing from light scratches.
Any concerns or experiences? Please advise...

Aalfred · 04-10-2023, 10:05 PM

Why not try the touchless washes. Ive done them a couple of times and dont have to worry about any of the issues u mentioned. They dont clean the geeatest but I think if you wipe them down after the wash, they look much better. Given how the wheel rollers and rails tend to scratch the wheels easily I would be weary even if you have full PPF.

Mark Kez · 04-10-2023, 10:09 PM

Never!! Hand washed in my driveway, or at the local self serve.

Forzanerazzurri · 04-10-2023, 10:19 PM

Your detailer should have told you not to use any automatic washes at all touchless or not if you have full PPF installed. You can't control the pressure and distance of the stream and you should use a hand wash for that reason.

Limegrntaln · 04-11-2023, 02:29 AM

1. You run the risk of blowing parts of the PPF off, or even peeling the edges back.
2. There is a limit to the amount of anti scratch and mar the ppf can handle. It will degrade over time, and with harsh chemicals and car washes, you can ruin the topcoat of the ppf.
3. Touchless car washes aren’t that much better for ppf or paint. Touchless car washes use a blend of soap and muriatic acid, which needs to dwell on the paint, to strip the dirt off the paint or ppf. Muriatic acid can shock the clear coat and color layer, causing it to microscopicly swell and can eventually lead to weakened clear coat and can also highly degrade the PPF.

The only recommended wash soap for painted or PPFd cars, is a pH neutral car shampoo, like GSF or Gyeon Bathe.

Attached is an example of car wash damaged PPF.

KevinGS · 04-11-2023, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M4CompConv/X7

Has anyone had any problems taking their precious transportation through an automatic car wash? I'm just wondering if the tires/wheels go through the track, if the automatic cloths are gentle enough, if the suspension clearing the rails, etc. I'm also interested if any effect on soft convertible top.
Before everyone gets triggered by the words, "automatic car wash," please know that I have the entire car covered in XPEL PPF that is self healing from light scratches.
Any concerns or experiences? Please advise...

My OCD was already triggered just reading the title. And you have a convertible to boot???

Come on, man...

But, it's your car....so if you don't care, neither do I.

M4CompConv/X7 · 04-11-2023, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinGS

My OCD was already triggered just reading the title. And you have a convertible to boot???

Come on, man...

But, it's your car....so if you don't care, neither do I.

I've had two other M3 convertibles (E46 & E93). Nothing ever happened to them in automatic car washes over the 5 years (each) I had them.
That's why I asked.

FC4 · 04-11-2023, 08:47 PM

Avoid anything that puts the wheels on a track. The pure touchless ones are perfectly fine every now and then in between proper washes.

brava09 · 04-12-2023, 07:57 AM

Only automatic car washes, no time for anything else, only the plastic parts like bumpers or side skirts shows some swirl marks, else the paint looks impeccable
Will replace the car in 2-3 years anyway

G-Mann · 04-12-2023, 08:18 AM

Lost my mirror caps using car wash a couple times and had to momentarily shutdown the car wash to retrieve. First time I thought they just weren't properly attached from the factory, when it happened a second time I started using some painters tape to secure them in place.

DO444 · 04-12-2023, 11:44 PM

I wouldn’t do it.
It’ll wreck your paint, give you the swirlies.

Nate.G82 · 04-13-2023, 09:23 AM

I personally wash my car and the missus' car by hand. Last year, the roller that washes the top of the car stripped off a chunk of... something from the area where the roof connects to the windshield on my wife's car. That took some work to get looking right again. Besides that, rails always have a chance of tapping the wheels. I would do the touchless washes like the others have suggested if you don't have the time or can't wash the car by hand. But like @Limegrntaln stated, even touchless could damage your topcoat and ppf.

Besides, products like ppf and ceramic coatings are designed to help prevent or buffer life's misfortunes. Not from auto wash rollers and abrasive soaps beating on it every wash.

jmg · 04-13-2023, 11:06 AM

I hand wash at home with the 2 bucket system and foam gun, or when I am lazy, which is most of the time, I take it to the local car wash for a hand wash. It's $15 more, but honestly they do a much better job than the machine on top of lowering the risk of damaging the car.

GolfR17 · 04-16-2023, 06:54 PM

Apparently some studies have shown hand washing is worse than the automatic machines…

https://samscarwashkl.com/university...r-cars-finish/

That said, I’m still too nervous to bring mine through the automatic spinning brush wash. The rails vs rims scares me.

kjx · 04-16-2023, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GolfR17

Apparently some studies have shown hand washing is worse than the automatic machines…

https://samscarwashkl.com/university...r-cars-finish/

That said, I’m still too nervous to bring mine through the automatic spinning brush wash. The rails vs rims scares me.

Of course, a study paid for by the “International Carwash Association” will come to that conclusion.

Nate.G82 · 04-17-2023, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjx

Of course, a study paid for by the “International Carwash Association” will come to that conclusion.

Agreed. This is just propaganda from Big Wash! We have the right to bear mitts!

LuvMyE92 · 04-17-2023, 02:21 PM

Just say no.

I never take my car through any kind of commercial wash, period.

Also, PPF is not "self-healing" that's another one of those urban myths. It's plastic. If it tears, it's ruined, that's all. If it gets scratched, it's scratched. End of story.

jmg · 04-17-2023, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GolfR17

Apparently some studies have shown hand washing is worse than the automatic machines…

https://samscarwashkl.com/university...r-cars-finish/

That said, I’m still too nervous to bring mine through the automatic spinning brush wash. The rails vs rims scares me.

They used sponges to wash their cars?! Sponges are an abrasive.

kjx · 04-17-2023, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

They used sponges to wash their cars?! Sponges are an abrasive.

If they’d used sandpaper, it’d have been too obvious that the study was biased.

Skyscraper · 04-17-2023, 08:40 PM

Went through the QuickQuack twice in one day. Car was covered in pollin from setting outside. Took the risk and went through. I got on the freeway for no more than 5 miles and some POS I was behind sprayed oil all over the front. I had to do it again. I figured the car wash was less damaging than whatever was all over the paint.

Car clears fine now. Not sure if I’ll be able to with a front lip and lowered. Not that it will be a regular thing. But it may happen again.

Turbodu07 · 04-27-2023, 08:15 PM

Wtf....Hell fucking no!

wavyyyy · 04-27-2023, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbodu07

Wtf....Hell fucking no!

Responses like this are always funny to me. I get not wanting to do it but it’s not that serious.

04-10-2023, 09:27 PM	#1
M4CompConv/X7 Lieutenant 483 Rep 421 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Comp Conv & BMW X7 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Navarre, FL iTrader: (0)	Automatic Car Wash Has anyone had any problems taking their precious transportation through an automatic car wash? I'm just wondering if the tires/wheels go through the track, if the automatic cloths are gentle enough, if the suspension clearing the rails, etc. I'm also interested if any effect on soft convertible top. Before everyone gets triggered by the words, "automatic car wash," please know that I have the entire car covered in XPEL PPF that is self healing from light scratches. Any concerns or experiences? Please advise...
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04-10-2023, 10:05 PM	#2
Aalfred Colonel 2625 Rep 2,036 Posts Drives: 2023 M3CX, 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Milwaukee,WI iTrader: (0)	Why not try the touchless washes. Ive done them a couple of times and dont have to worry about any of the issues u mentioned. They dont clean the geeatest but I think if you wipe them down after the wash, they look much better. Given how the wheel rollers and rails tend to scratch the wheels easily I would be weary even if you have full PPF.
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04-10-2023, 10:09 PM	#3
Mark Kez Lieutenant Colonel 2202 Rep 1,582 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Convertible Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Syracuse NY iTrader: (0)	Never!! Hand washed in my driveway, or at the local self serve.
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04-10-2023, 10:19 PM	#4
Forzanerazzurri Banned 6920 Rep 3,277 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Coupe/G80 M3CX Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW M3 Coupe [0.50] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [5.12]	Your detailer should have told you not to use any automatic washes at all touchless or not if you have full PPF installed. You can't control the pressure and distance of the stream and you should use a hand wash for that reason.
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04-11-2023, 02:29 AM	#5
Limegrntaln Major General 13554 Rep 7,002 Posts Drives: 2022 DG/BLk xDrive M4C Wk 34 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sacramento Area iTrader: (3) Garage List 2022 G82 M4 Competi ... [9.31]	1. You run the risk of blowing parts of the PPF off, or even peeling the edges back. 2. There is a limit to the amount of anti scratch and mar the ppf can handle. It will degrade over time, and with harsh chemicals and car washes, you can ruin the topcoat of the ppf. 3. Touchless car washes aren’t that much better for ppf or paint. Touchless car washes use a blend of soap and muriatic acid, which needs to dwell on the paint, to strip the dirt off the paint or ppf. Muriatic acid can shock the clear coat and color layer, causing it to microscopicly swell and can eventually lead to weakened clear coat and can also highly degrade the PPF. The only recommended wash soap for painted or PPFd cars, is a pH neutral car shampoo, like GSF or Gyeon Bathe. Attached is an example of car wash damaged PPF. Attached Images __________________ 2022 DravitGrau /Black Full Merino M4 Competition M xDrive / Production Week 34/ Delivered 10/19/21/ IG: dravit_m4_comp YT: G Dubyou
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04-11-2023, 08:47 PM	#8
FC4 Brigadier General 2717 Rep 3,429 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: May 2014 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Avoid anything that puts the wheels on a track. The pure touchless ones are perfectly fine every now and then in between proper washes.
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04-12-2023, 07:57 AM	#9
brava09 Lieutenant Colonel 767 Rep 1,683 Posts Drives: M4C xdrive Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Only automatic car washes, no time for anything else, only the plastic parts like bumpers or side skirts shows some swirl marks, else the paint looks impeccable Will replace the car in 2-3 years anyway __________________ 22 M4 Competition xdrive 19 M5 Competition sold 16 F-Type S AWD sold 11 Audi RS5 Misano Red--sold 08 E92 M3 Jerez Black 6MT--sold 08 E92 335i 6MT traded in for M3
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04-12-2023, 08:18 AM	#10
G-Mann Captain 413 Rep 678 Posts Drives: M4CX Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Lost my mirror caps using car wash a couple times and had to momentarily shutdown the car wash to retrieve. First time I thought they just weren't properly attached from the factory, when it happened a second time I started using some painters tape to secure them in place. __________________ 2022 M4 Comp X 2021 M440ix - Sold 2015 M235 - Sold
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04-12-2023, 11:44 PM	#11
DO444 Banned 1411 Rep 1,174 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: May 2022 Location: Idaho iTrader: (0)	I wouldn’t do it. It’ll wreck your paint, give you the swirlies.
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04-13-2023, 09:23 AM	#12
Nate.G82 Second Lieutenant 523 Rep 239 Posts Drives: TBII G82 6MT Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW M4 [0.00]	I personally wash my car and the missus' car by hand. Last year, the roller that washes the top of the car stripped off a chunk of... something from the area where the roof connects to the windshield on my wife's car. That took some work to get looking right again. Besides that, rails always have a chance of tapping the wheels. I would do the touchless washes like the others have suggested if you don't have the time or can't wash the car by hand. But like @Limegrntaln stated, even touchless could damage your topcoat and ppf. Besides, products like ppf and ceramic coatings are designed to help prevent or buffer life's misfortunes. Not from auto wash rollers and abrasive soaps beating on it every wash.
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04-13-2023, 11:06 AM	#13
jmg Lieutenant General 18817 Rep 14,131 Posts Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.85] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.87] 2019 i3 BEV [0.00]	I hand wash at home with the 2 bucket system and foam gun, or when I am lazy, which is most of the time, I take it to the local car wash for a hand wash. It's $15 more, but honestly they do a much better job than the machine on top of lowering the risk of damaging the car. __________________ 2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, EBC Bluestuff, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///*M3 IG: Raging_G82
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04-16-2023, 06:54 PM	#14
GolfR17 Private First Class 158 Rep 145 Posts Drives: BMW M5 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Apparently some studies have shown hand washing is worse than the automatic machines… https://samscarwashkl.com/university...r-cars-finish/ That said, I’m still too nervous to bring mine through the automatic spinning brush wash. The rails vs rims scares me.
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04-17-2023, 02:21 PM	#17
LuvMyE92 Occasionally frequent poster 3005 Rep 2,745 Posts Drives: CT5V-Blackwing Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: RTP NC, USA iTrader: (0)	Just say no. I never take my car through any kind of commercial wash, period. Also, PPF is not "self-healing" that's another one of those urban myths. It's plastic. If it tears, it's ruined, that's all. If it gets scratched, it's scratched. End of story. __________________ Current inventory: F22 & G05 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing w/3 pedals Past: E24,E28(3),E34,E36,E37,E38(2),E39(4),E46,E89,E92 (obviously),F01,F06,F10,F30,F87,G12,G30(2),G82(2)
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04-17-2023, 08:40 PM	#20
Skyscraper Captain 2252 Rep 699 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M4 Competition Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Rocklin, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M4 Competi ... [9.22] 2007 Porsche GT3RS [10.00]	Went through the QuickQuack twice in one day. Car was covered in pollin from setting outside. Took the risk and went through. I got on the freeway for no more than 5 miles and some POS I was behind sprayed oil all over the front. I had to do it again. I figured the car wash was less damaging than whatever was all over the paint. Car clears fine now. Not sure if I’ll be able to with a front lip and lowered. Not that it will be a regular thing. But it may happen again.
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04-27-2023, 08:15 PM	#21
Turbodu07 Private First Class 185 Rep 142 Posts Drives: 2023 M3 6SP Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	Wtf....Hell fucking no!
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