Black cars & handwash carwash

[Mr. Whippy]

Hi,

what is everyone's opinion on handwash carwash places? Better to wash the car yourself? I have a black F6 and it gets dirty fast, so I'm thinking of taking it down to a handwashing place (Watershed on Spencer St West Melb) regularly as I dont have much time to clean it and there seems to be a never ending supply of black Cayennes, Stateman's, BMW's etc getting washed there so I thought it may be ok.

Also, I've just noticed what appears to be a white film/halo effect on the rear spoiler... would this be buff marks from the factory polish? I never noticed it when I picked the car up, I only saw it the other day when the sunlight hit it on a certain angle.

Best,
MrW

[Pinkbits]

I HAD been using the local car wash to wash the wifes XR8 but taking my own bucket & sponge.
After spending 2 days washing, paint restoring, polishing and waxing due to the paint going very dull, then someone pointed out that the water used is only filtered and reused.
So when i saw people washing down boats, trail bikes, bobcats and even a V8 engine on the back of a trailer, i decided a water tank at home was the solution.
Never again at a car wash.

[kenz]

Yeah I heard that about car washes aswell that they use recycled filtered water and have never been back. I guess it'd be like sandblasting your car every time you wash it there as there is still very very fine rubbish that gets through the filter. How true it is I dont know but im not taking the chance if I can just as easily do it myself at home.

cheers
Luke

[XR8 Uterous]

The white film/halo effect sounds alot like swirl marks or marring, from incorrect washing methods or from incorrect buffer use. Generally taking a car to a hand wash place will be somewhere swirl marks will be added, as they will be washing the car as quick as possible and not worrying about swirls and other paint damage.

Take your car to a proper detailer, get the swirls removed, and take it back to them to wash it. Will cost more, but the car will look a million times better for it.

[Mr. Whippy]

Originally Posted by EL XR6

The white film/halo effect sounds alot like swirl marks or marring, from incorrect washing methods or from incorrect buffer use

Hmm, well the car has only been washed once and that was by me, and then was when I noticed the white halos

Take your car to a proper detailer, get the swirls removed, and take it back to them to wash it. Will cost more, but the car will look a million times better for it.

I think I will be mentioning it to the dealership when I take it into the 3,000 kms service. Do you mean take it back to the detailers to wash it or back to the handwash place afterwards?

[Rob's 76 Effy]

You'll find it's law that cashwash places have to recycle there used water and it would go through a few filters before being used again, so saying it would be like sandblasting your car is way over the top

[XR8 Uterous]

Originally Posted by Mr. Whippy

Hmm, well the car has only been washed once and that was by me, and then was when I noticed the white halos



I think I will be mentioning it to the dealership when I take it into the 3,000 kms service. Do you mean take it back to the detailers to wash it or back to the handwash place afterwards?

Dealer would of washed it pre delivery, maybe more than once, and having heard a few stories about car dealer detailers, it wouldn't surprise me if they came from the dealer.

Take it back to the detailer, or wash it yourself, read up on a few detailing forums about correct washing techniques, and you wont have any dramas with swirls, or will at least minimise them.

Cheers

[pitpal]

Yes the car washes do use recycled water, but as far as it being like a sand blaster.... dont think so. Take a bucket and sponge with tap water in it and wash it at the car wash. It'l cost you $2 with a rinse before and after rinse. Keep the car regularly waxed and you shouldnt have a prob

[Hunter]

Originally Posted by EL XR6

Dealer would of washed it pre delivery, maybe more than once, and having heard a few stories about car dealer detailers, it wouldn't surprise me if they came from the dealer.

Take it back to the detailer, or wash it yourself, read up on a few detailing forums about correct washing techniques, and you wont have any dramas with swirls, or will at least minimise them.

Cheers

Yeah I can confirm this too, my mazda came with swirls all over the bonnet from the dealer... didn't notice it at first because you can only see them in a certain light and at a certain angle. :

[desGT]

Originally Posted by Mr. Whippy

...what is everyone's opinion on handwash carwash places? Better to wash the car yourself? I have a black F6 and it gets dirty fast, so I'm thinking of taking it down to a handwashing place (Watershed on Spencer St West Melb) regularly as I dont have much time to clean it...

(Would never allow someone else to wash my car)

Check out the place in the garage a block away (corner Rosslyn and Spencer). I do not know if they recycle theie water (small operation but popular). These are "owners" rather than staff at Watershed. (My GT is parked opposite there at the moment).

Couple of blocks down on Spencer (going out of town, right side near Radio Parts) is another "do it yourself" car wash and I think they also offer a service to do it for you - however, do it yourself!

[desGT]

Originally Posted by Mr. Whippy

Also, I've just noticed what appears to be a white film/halo effect on the rear spoiler... would this be buff marks from the factory polish? I never noticed it when I picked the car up, I only saw it the other day when the sunlight hit it on a certain angle.

Have you tried to polish it? If hard swirl marks in the pain, Meguir's ScratchX is fantastic. I work local to Spencer, if you want to contact me and arrange a meeting, I can bring some polish and ScratchX(probably not needed) and we can have a look at it?

[Gobes32]

Whats a good detailing forum? Preferably Australian?

[Gobes32]

Nevermind, I found Detail paradise, anyone know where you can buy scratch x?

[blueoval]

there is the ford forums section under paint etc.

I used to take it to those self car washing places, but never again after I found out how much damage you can do to them. They have their places but I'd only used the high pressure hose on my car if it was exceptionally dirty.

Other than that, I use a bucket of filtered tap water a clean chamois and a bottle of style magic waterless cleaner. Thats all.

Although, it is best if you remove any swirl marks, marring or impurities from the paint and detailing it, that way when you wash your car, it looks like its been detailed all the time.

[Hords]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Whats a good detailing forum?

We have one right here WAXIT - ONLINE CAR CARE

[blueoval]

or the generic ford detailing forum http://www.fordforums.com.au/forumdisplay.php?f=151

[desGT]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Nevermind, I found Detail paradise, anyone know where you can buy scratch x?

Almost any car place (Autobarn, Supercheap, Bursons etc).

However, try standard polish first!!

[seduced_xr]

Originally Posted by Mr. Whippy

Hmm, well the car has only been washed once and that was by me, and then was when I noticed the white halos



I think I will be mentioning it to the dealership when I take it into the 3,000 kms service. Do you mean take it back to the detailers to wash it or back to the handwash place afterwards?

take a walk around your local car park on a sunny(ish) day every car gets them. ive noticed silver barely shows them and white doesnt show them at all, the worst ford colours seem to be sillouhette, ego and seduce.. but thats just from wat ive seen.

[GK]

Originally Posted by seduced_xr

take a walk around your local car park on a sunny(ish) day every car gets them. ive noticed silver barely shows them and white doesnt show them at all, the worst ford colours seem to be sillouhette, ego and seduce.. but thats just from wat ive seen.

That's why I'd like to go for a white or silver car next time round!

Darn dark colours. LOL!

GK

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by GK

That's why I'd like to go for a white or silver car next time round!

Darn dark colours. LOL!

GK

But dark colors look like sex when polished and detailed. But yes you have to keep the paint maintained constantly with darker cars.

[Luke3000]

Mum just bought a brand new accord euro in black and it needs to be washed like every second day!
Personally i would have bought white but you know, the car looks alright but i find that it seems to take away from the cars lines.
wash parents cars myself and think thats the best way.
Can't wait to be able to get my licence then i can get my own car, and trust me it will be immaculate lol.

[Mr. Whippy]

Originally Posted by desGT

Have you tried to polish it? If hard swirl marks in the pain, Meguir's ScratchX is fantastic. I work local to Spencer, if you want to contact me and arrange a meeting, I can bring some polish and ScratchX(probably not needed) and we can have a look at it?

Hey thanks for the kind offer, I think I'll get Ford to take a look at it first as its due for the 3,000 km service next week

[Mr. Whippy]

Originally Posted by blueoval

there is the ford forums section under paint etc.

I used to take it to those self car washing places, but never again after I found out how much damage you can do to them. They have their places but I'd only used the high pressure hose on my car if it was exceptionally dirty.

Other than that, I use a bucket of filtered tap water a clean chamois and a bottle of style magic waterless cleaner. Thats all.

Although, it is best if you remove any swirl marks, marring or impurities from the paint and detailing it, that way when you wash your car, it looks like its been detailed all the time.

Ok I think I've been talked out of not washing the car myself. Should a brand new car need to be detailed? Is there any detailers people recommend? Apologies if this thread was posted in the wrong section, feel free to move it if so

[blueoval]

generally new car should need any sort of correction, although I would recommend making sure the paintwork is clean and sealed.

Im sure WAXIT our site sponsor could offer some easy suggestions for your new paint.

Alternatively, speak to Matt (SVR73) for some assistance. He has a wealth of knowledge

[SVR73]

Those white halo's are usually Holograms from rotary polishing due to one of these reasons

Not slowing down the machine once the polish is broken down
Dry buffing (product has dried up and pad is moving along the dry paint)
Buffing with rotary polisher with dirty wool or foam pads (broken down polish and the clear coat that has been removed will marr the paint)

this is easily removed with a light abrasive polish using a rotary or an orbital

The self serve car washes have their place, especially for cleaning wheel arches and bottom of doors if the car is absolutely filthy
The main problem with them is poorly recycled water, 1100 psi or more high pressure water being aimed directly at the paint which causes marring and their soaps can be very high on the PH scale, which dries out the paint and removes waxes and water soluble sealants (the cheaper ones)

Do not use the brushes there as you will be up for paint correction by a true pro detailer if you do, due to the scratches that they cause

The waterwise method of car washing, developed by Joseph at Dri and Shine auto, which Blueoval and myself use, is the safest and easiest way to clean your car

Just five to eight litres of water, two chamois and either style magic waterwise car wash or your favourite car wash mixed with water and in a spray bottle

use bucket of water to clean the chamois regularly and do one directional, no pressure passes and keep folding the chamois. Clean it after each one or two panels
here is a quick video of it

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=NRdaORNVsg8

[gtfpv]

never ever take your car to any car wash if you care about it . this would be a kin to lending someone your old feller for a day. you'd have to trust them not to stick it where you wouldnt . and i'm not that trust worthy . i'm afraid it ( your car) may get marks all over it .
your standards may be high, doesnt mean a car wash which handles hundreds of cars a day, have the same standards . never never never. it aint worth the risk.
think of what your time would be worth to wash your car , takes up to 7 hours of hard work for perfection.

[Gobes32]

I have a sihouette tezza and I can never have it as clean as I like, I am contemplating the meguiars waterless wash, bit like automotive spray and wipe, just make sure the cars clean ( no mud hanging off it) and apply the spray, then wipe off.

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by kenz

Yeah I heard that about car washes aswell that they use recycled filtered water and have never been back. I guess it'd be like sandblasting your car every time you wash it there as there is still very very fine rubbish that gets through the filter.

think about it , tap water comes from a dam with sand and mud in it so it's not as grit free as you would think . a good recycling and filter system can actually render better water ( as far as fine grit is concerned) than the tap water we all think is so good

[IDT]

If you're thinking of using a car wash at all I suggest you go down to your local car wash and half fill a clean white bucket with the water provided. I did and found that, apart from the filthy and milky colour of the water, after leaving it for five minutes I tipped all but an inch out. There was a fine layer of grit on the bottom of the bucket. Thats from about four litres of water Do it on a busy day and I wouldn't be surprised if it was even worse.

This is a place that filters the water and has all the legally required stuff in place to, so IMO the guys who say it's like sand blasting are not that far from the truth.

[nobbystang]

Originally Posted by Mr. Whippy

Should a brand new car need to be detailed? Is there any detailers people recommend? Apologies if this thread was posted in the wrong section, feel free to move it if so

Definately needs detailing, especially since allot of car dealers don't do it properly, if at all.

PM sent, but for you other guys. I can recommend Final Inspection. I had a Silhouette BF XR6 that came out stunning after a visit. He is setting up a new workshop at the moment, but if you're in Melbourne and want the best, you can't go past Damian.