[TheHitchhiker]

Hi fellow Houston Bimmers!

I haven't run into much topics about carwash/detailing our precious cars. I will be getting my F30 in a couple of weeks and I want to make sure I take it to someone who cleans it good with the appropriate chemicals and WITHOUT damaging or swirling the paint and without damaging interior trim/leather!

Where are your fav places to go for a regular ext/int wash and for detailing???

CHEERS!

[Handozizle]

http://www.vive-houston.com/

I took my car to them and i think they did an awesome job.

[TheHitchhiker]

They look incredible but going there for regular washes + detailing would be a hole in the pocket. For detailing these guys definitely look like the only option.

How much did you pay them for detailing?

And any week to week basis car wash recommendations?

[alexchen86]

I take mine to Wax Works off Murphy/59 since I am in SW. But Brent Collins does a great job as well. However he is booked pretty steep...he details exotics primarily so squeezing in a small 3 every now and then if you sweet talk him he'll hook you up.

I've had my 09 S550 with tons of swirls all over the hood and trunk COMPLETELY gone. Brent lives by 59/Buffalo Speedway and he is by far the most dedicated detailer I have ever seen. One man army so let PM me and I'll ask if it's okay to bring him more business...I'm sure he wouldn't mind lol.

[mikew2069]

Road Rage Detail polished and opticoated my car. He spent 9 hours at my house - dedication!

Brent's a cool dude too. He's on the Houston BMW thread on facebook all the time.

[alexchen86]

Originally Posted by Handozizle

http://www.vive-houston.com/

I took my car to them and i think they did an awesome job.

Lol I would feel just a tad embarrassed pulling in a sportline 335i with only subtle cosmetic mods done on then M sport grills, paint matched side markers, and paint matched whiskers. And a DIY Plastidip 335i emblem.

I usually take mine to Wax Works Auto Detail http://www.autodetailinghouston.com right off US-59 and Murphy since I live in Sugar Land and its the only hand car wash I trust that's within 10 minutes of me.

If you just want an express hand wash I think it's about $14-15 bucks including tire shine which I am not a big fan of especially driving a white car when the tire shine hasn't adhered completely.

My favorite so far as most of us know is Brent Collins. Very nice guy very reasonable pricing however he is a tad out of the way for me. Find him I here I'm sure he can help you out. He does this as a hobby of sorts if you will...a man who enjoys cleaning and taking care of another persons's car as if it were their own says a lot about his work ethic and attention to detail.

[Valetdetails]

Originally Posted by TheHitchhiker

Hi fellow Houston Bimmers!

I haven't run into much topics about carwash/detailing our precious cars. I will be getting my F30 in a couple of weeks and I want to make sure I take it to someone who cleans it good with the appropriate chemicals and WITHOUT damaging or swirling the paint and without damaging interior trim/leather!

Where are your fav places to go for a regular ext/int wash and for detailing???

CHEERS!

Check out Valet Mobile Detailing we aren't afraid to spend over 8 hours to bring a car back to life

[MineralGrayF31]

Swirls will only come and happen with improper washing and drying methods. If you have dust on your car, and try to wipe it off with a detail spray, even though only light dust, you will create micromarring. people think you wont, but you will.

A ceramic coating is a great option and can prevent some micromarring but it isnt perfect. At this time, however, it is the best option aside from PPF.

I would recommend shelling out the $$$$$ if you want to protect paint.

If you run it through a tunnel you will get scratches for a few reasons. One, there is no pre wash or snow foam. Two, the dust and contaminants that are the car are being removed by imprecise methods. Three, when you go through a tunnel, dirt remains, and when the make contact with the car to dry it, the grind dirt into the paint creating marring.

I would recommend finding a detailer, paying him to ceramic coat your car, and then committing to seeing him once a month for a maintenance wash. That wont be that expensive and it will keep you car looking amazing.

With a ceramic coating you can go longer without washing your car so that’s a big plus. The biggest issue though comes down to who details it, and what are their methods. And, if you dont want to trust someone to do it, then I can give you a list of products, totaling about $500 bucks, and showing you to do it on your own.

Detailing isnt hard, you just have to pay attention and use common sense.

To conclude, I would

1. PPF the front end
2. Ceramic coat the entire car. (Most retailers should give a big discount on a new car as the work is a lot less because you are correcting far less on a new car.)
3. Monthly washes at minimum but very 2 weeks being ideal. (Don’t let rain sit on the car for longer than 2-3 days and if it is, make sure the care doesnt bake in the sun. )

-JE
Meticulousdetail.com