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      03-25-2012, 05:22 PM   #23
Raspartan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Feanor View Post
I guess not, I've never heard of them! I'm not entirely convinced though - I have a pressure washer and it doesn't seem to be very effective at removing sticky road grime, even when soap is sprayed on first. I'm careful not to risk going too close to the paint with it though as I understand pressure washers can damage paintwork when used less than 30cm away.
Well the one near my house uses a soapy foam and pressure spraying, so it's not just water. I've been through these types of wash at least a hundred times with no ill effects. Oh, except the one time when my door lock froze but that wouldn't be an issue with Comfort Access.

They're not perfect though, will still leave grime in spots but you don't get the swirl marks. I suppose they're a good way to keep clean in between hand washes, or perhaps automated cloth washes.
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      03-25-2012, 09:38 PM   #24
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When I do ED for my F30, I will be taking it to one of the Swissvax Centers in Europe the day after delivery!

http://www.swizol.ch/PicturesOH092011/index.html
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      03-26-2012, 04:09 AM   #25
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I have heard that dealers do some level of detailing prior to delivery but the "best" work definitely not. Of the 4 cars I have owned I do a full detail about 2 months after receiving it as fresh paint from the factory will require about 2-3 months to cure.
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      03-26-2012, 07:01 AM   #26
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Originally Posted by jgrasty View Post
Yes, the paint will never be better than when it is new. Clay with new paint is a complete waste of time; there's nothing on the paint to remove.
There are all kinds of particles in the paint. I don't know if it's from transport or what. My last new (as in factory new) car was an 09 370z and when claying I could CLEARLY feel with my hand where I had clayed and not clayed. The clayed paint felt butter smooth and the non-clayed paint had very distinct stuff embedded in the brand new paint that I could feel. You can't see it, but you can feel it.

Of course, I drove it probably 200 miles home before making this evaluation...
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      03-26-2012, 07:09 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rackley View Post
There are all kinds of particles in the paint. I don't know if it's from transport or what. My last new (as in factory new) car was an 09 370z and when claying I could CLEARLY feel with my hand where I had clayed and not clayed. The clayed paint felt butter smooth and the non-clayed paint had very distinct stuff embedded in the brand new paint that I could feel. You can't see it, but you can feel it.

Of course, I drove it probably 200 miles home before making this evaluation...
I immediately clayed my car and got tons of debris. If you never clay your car again, it should be done right when you get it, before your first detail.

Formerly I was a fan of Zaino products, but love the look of carnauba on dark colors and the Zaino process takes wayyyy too long.

I did my first detail yesterday. One day after driving it home from Atlanta.

wash with Zaino Z-7
Clay with Zaino Clay
Application of BMW Carnauba Nanowax.
Application of Eagle one spray nanowax (I cannot say enough about this product. It leaves your car soooo silky smooth. I highly recommend it.)

After an hour I applied Zaino Clear Seal or Z-CS to seal the waxes in and provide protection. My car's finish is smooth and glistening. Its cheap, simple and didn't take all day. Well, about three hours
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      03-26-2012, 07:15 AM   #28
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I usually try to keep my posts positive, but there is just so much bad advice and misinformation on car care in this thread.

If you are serious about taking care of your paint, head over to the Autopia forums: http://www.autopia.org/forum/forum.php

If you do take anything away from this thread, TEAShea has the right idea.

Also, this is incorrect: - the factory wax is perhaps the best wax your car will ever see, so don't be too anxious to wash, polish or wax your car during its first or even second year -

When your paint is new is the best time to properly clean it and protect it.
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      03-26-2012, 08:13 AM   #29
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The factory does not apply any wax. Neither does the VPC.

During transport on the rail from the factory to Bremerhaven, the cars can get some rail dust, particularly on the rear bumper area. However this is less than it used to be since BMW now uses enclosed rail cars. In addition the cars pick up debris from their travel on the ship. The VPC does wash the car but they don't clay it - so the embedded debris is still there. The amount of debris varies a lot from car to car - but it you use a light colored clay you can see what it picks up.
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      03-26-2012, 01:26 PM   #30
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Regarding that dry detailing spray, I rarely use it. It never does as good as job as washing your car. Sometimes it even embeds hard dirt in the wax, if you don't use plenty of it.

I only keep a bottle on hand to remove bird poop off the finish. The longer that poop sits on your finish, the more harm it does. Caution with bird poop: It often has fine grit in it (sand?) and can act like an abrasive while rubbing over your finish. I know this from firsthand experience. Constantly rotate your rag.

By the way, I've found an alternative use for One Grand Blitz wax. Not only does it provide a great shine (best shine IMO, but it doesn't last very long) it also is a great contaminants remover. I've used it to remove oil spots, stains, and tar spray from my finish. It has to be in its wet state (before it dries) and it must sit on the contaminant of a little while to be most effective. Then just wipe it off with a rag.
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      03-09-2016, 10:49 PM   #31
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I agree with Feanor - there's more to life than detailing our cars! Great perspective! Although I do want to do a fairly decent job -once in a while! ; )
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      03-17-2016, 07:51 PM   #32
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I have revisited the car wash process after my wife picked up her new 2016 X6.

I, like a few posters conceded, accept the reality I just am not going to maintain the initial new car commitment to wash regularly as the novelty wears off.

I still want to keep our cars reasonably clean so this time around asked the Dealer not to do anything to the outside of the car and drove her X6 directly to a detailer to have to have CQuartz finest applied. The dealer was embarrassed to deliver a car that dirty but honored my request.

I’m not suggesting it is the best or only way but have the hope it will cut down the time needed to wash and dry and save over the long run by reducing the need for regular polishing and/or waxing.

I had also never heard of the two bucket with grit guard method and have adopted that practice. I just used common sense, started at the top, rinsed the mitt and rags after cleaning a small section with a hose and accomplished the same thing but I see the logic in the 2 bucket system.

I have a garage and tend to wash when it is warm out when possible so in those situations, wash the wheels first since they take so long and get the rest of the car wet again. I then get clean mitts, soap and water to clean the car. This allows me time to quickly blow most the water off and pull in to the garage to pat dry the rest of the car.

I have a black 2009 335i CP that is still in great shape for a black car its’ age and I am considering getting it coated as well. That way I can use the same system on both cars and get both washed quickly and well. I was able to keep my paint in fair shape without a paint coating but it did require some maintenance.

I am waiting for the pressure washer, foam cannon and blower recommendations to start appearing in the thread . They make the process almost fun, at least until that novelty wears off as well. Edit: I stand corrected, they have been mentioned already but I do like my home set up.

Last edited by GeorgeR; 03-17-2016 at 08:23 PM.. Reason: See last sentence
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      11-04-2017, 05:11 AM   #33
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if you need detailing services while you are in Ukraine, please visit our detailing studio in Kiev, more info https://automoyka.ua/, https://automoyka.ua/contacts/ for directions.
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      11-30-2017, 11:17 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by svache View Post
People should always start at the top and work their way down when washing anything really
There will always be some people out there that wash their balls first then wash their face after while showering lol..

You are right though, start at TOP and finish at bottom
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