Taking the 'soft' out of soft touch car wash

**goathead** · 12-05-2010, 04:23 PM

I detailed an M5 this weekend (beautiful car) and the owner brings it through a car wash 3 times a week, not a touchless. Ugh...the car shined until you got near it and it looked like someone washed it with a scotch-brite pad. Brutal. I though I had some great shots, but apparently my camera was on the wrong setting so I only have a few shots and the pics don't do it justice. I wish the sun was out.

Before, D-pillar scratches

After, D-pillar

Hood Before, sorry for the pic quality

Hood Afters

Side After

**Dubbin1** · 12-05-2010, 04:29 PM

No sun shots???

Not sure why they would have this done just to turn around and take it through a car wash again...

**goathead** · 12-05-2010, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Dubbin1

No sun shots???

Not sure why they would have this done just to turn around and take it through a car wash again...

No sun. Gray day yesterday. It was sunny in the morning and by the time I wrapped it up and got it outside it was overcast which is why the color looks a little washed out. I wish the sun had been out because it looked beautiful.

He wanted it detailed before he put it away for the winter. I strongly advised against using that car wash again, but of course...he owns it so...I told maybe cut it back to once a week or he's going to be painting the car in no time.

**BobbyG** · 12-05-2010, 05:07 PM

There are lots of owners out there that one; do not have the necessary skills to detail their own vehicle and two; have no other alternative.

A touch-less car wash in their mind gives them what they feel is an opportunist and venue for keeping their ride clean. If they really knew what it was doing to the finish I'm certain they would choose something else.

Can you imagine there are those that still use a brush type car wash?

Great work on the BMW!!

**goathead** · 12-05-2010, 05:15 PM

Thanks. This wasn't a touchless, it was brushless so it has all those flaps in them or whatever they are. Haven't been through one since the early 90's.

**LuxuryMobile** · 12-05-2010, 05:20 PM

Great turn around. I do think its ironic that someone cares enough to pay for a paint correction but don't consider setting up a maintenance plan with the detailer.

**rwright** · 12-05-2010, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by blackz

Great turn around. I do think its ironic that someone cares enough to pay for a paint correction but don't consider setting up a maintenance plan with the detailer.

Recently two tunnel wash systems were built close to me, one of them about a mile away. It's crazy to see people using them.

**05xrunner** · 12-05-2010, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by rwright

Recently two tunnel wash systems were built close to me, one of them about a mile away. It's crazy to see people using them.

they have their uses..I will gladly take my beater through it as I dont give a crap about the paint on it to clean it off during the winter once in a while..Its kinda fun being knocked around by the big brushes in it..but for anyone with a car they actually keep clean and take care of I wouldnt let my mustang get within a mile of one of those places.

**Diskat** · 12-05-2010, 07:31 PM

Even whit no sun, it seems to be a good job !!

Bravo !

**LuxuryMobile** · 12-05-2010, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by 05xrunner

they have their uses..I will gladly take my beater through it as I dont give a crap about the paint on it to clean it off during the winter once in a while..Its kinda fun being knocked around by the big brushes in it..but for anyone with a car they actually keep clean and take care of I wouldnt let my mustang get within a mile of one of those places.

I agree, they do serve a purpose for winter cars that aren't prized posessions.
They also help us (detailers) stay busy with paint correction jobs. So I don't complain, I just enjoy the benefits of having work to do.