Myth or truth ? Hand car washes and scratches

[Candle1966]

I hand wash mine myself, but a mate with a Porsche who also has had his ceramic coated only takes it to the local hand car wash and has had no damage at all ( verified when it had a ceramic top up) so is the bad name these places get unjustified?

 

[CatmanV2]

'It depends'

Plus the ceramic coating might well help

My local detailers charge a tiny bit more than the local hand car wash place, but I don't have to go anywhere as they rock up, take my keys and do it on the drive.

C

 

[c4sman]

All depends on the hand car wash. Few years back when I lived in London there was a hand car wash place that was awesome and pretty sure they never inflicted scratches on the paintwork. More recently however pulled into a hand car wash on the off chance to see them blasting their wash mit clean with a pressure washer, whilst it was placed on the car park floor. No amount of ceramic coating is gonna protect your paint from that sand paper!

Edit: should add that even though I was in my daily I reversed away rapidly

 

[Scaf]

My local “hand car wash” will use new mitt and fresh water when I take my Jag in.

 

[Lozzer]

Don't do it, my local car wash obliterated the geomet coating on my discs...
.

 

[Bebs]

My local “hand car wash” will use new mitt and fresh water when I take my Jag in.

Jaaaaaaaag

 

[Motorsport3]

It depends on the paint and the colour that the car is finished. Some will last longer than others. Our mercedes has been living on the street for the past 7 years and paint is as good as new. Maserati PPG seems softer by comparison and easier to swirl

 

[Phil H]

I'm sure there are some very competent car washers around, but having witnessed one drop a sponge then pick it up and carry on using it I wouldn't take the chance. It only takes the tiniest bit of grit......

 

[mowlas]

There is no question that my local handcar wash put lots of swirls and holograms on the clear coat of my Maserati. They got taken over by some Albanians who were much better and put in quality control practices. However I mad a decision three months ago to only ever wash the car myself and invested in top notch products and equipment.

I find it cathartic and pretty good exercise. Wax on… wax off…

 

[Bebs]

Wax on… wax off…

 

[Bebs]

I don’t mind the odd minor detail, silicone spray, etc, makes my motor look good.
won’t be taking it to the local though!

 

[CatmanV2]

Wax on… wax off…

Sand the floor...

C

 

[cheshiremaserati]

I only ever wash all four cars in the household by hand myself. Two bucket method, NO traffic film remover (TFR) and separate mitt for wheels and bodywork. Wheels never washed with same shampoo water as bodywork. Use fresh bucket for wheels.

1st wash aftee winter hibernation, spray 'diluted citrus wash' and rinse before applying shampoo water with mitt.

Final rinse with Raceglaze zero ppm water and then towel dry.

The hand wash places apply liberal amounts of TFR as a pre-soak on lower half of the car and wheels and front bumper and headlights. Avoid TFR like the plague. Citrus wash is much softer on the panels.

 

[safrane]

Not a chance of me using a Kosovan Kar Wash... Dirty water, dirty sponges, acid cleaner, belt buckles and zips and rings... its a hammer house production!!!

 

[midlifecrisis]

Does it really matter what nationality they are?
If you're not washing your Maserati yourself, use your daily(sacrificial lamb) to find a good one and use that, but remember they tend to have high turnover, as a new lot get trafficked in and they all have to learn somewhere.

Don't forget, they don't take cards as they like the cash to help with the laundry.

 

[mowlas]

One of the best things I invested in was a pressure washer. Sale on at the time on a Karcher,

Setting for washing the car so it’s not too harsh on the paint, but strong enough to shift most of the surface grit and debris. Plus a container for occasional foam spraying.

Its also great for maintaining the driveway and patio.

 

[dem maser]

Driveway now has power sockets and down the side I have a tap.
No more car wash sites for me….

I noticed some on my car lately and it must have been them

 

[mowlas]

Does it really matter what nationality they are?
If you're not washing your Maserati yourself, use your daily(sacrificial lamb) to find a good one and use that, but remember they tend to have high turnover, as a new lot get trafficked in and they all have to learn somewhere.

Don't forget, they don't take cards as they like the cash to help with the laundry.

As I mentioned above, the Albanians that took over my local greatly improved the quality and care in the area where there is a decent share of quality cars around. So they built their reputation and brand on good practices and quality.

However, like a number of us, just made the decision that only we can give the attention to detail that our obsession with our cars requires! The other advantage of doing it yourself is that you can closely monitor early signs of issues developing with the exterior and nip them in the bud.

 

[Scaf]

I have to say, the Strad does not go to the local wash, as apart from anything else, they would defo kill the carbon ceramics

 

[midlifecrisis]

The brick acid they use is a killer of anodised brake calipers. Not in performance but in colour. Others are fine as it doesn't stay on long