London owners: Where do you get your car washed?

London owners: Where do you get your car washed?

Author
Discussion

jamespconnor

Original Poster:

280 posts

202 months

Monday 30th January 2012
quotequote all
I picked up my mint condition MY05 DB9 with 22,500 miles on the clock from Aston Martin Stratstone on Western Avenue last week and after driving it pretty much all weekend, it's looking a little dirty.

Unfortunately I am parked in an underground car park so don't have access to hoses or an area in which to perform a DIY wash. I don't particularly want to use automatic car washes (unless anyone says otherwise) so been looking around at some hand car washes - I live in Borough so the nearby one under a rail bridge near Tower Bridge Road is the closest and comes recommended by some forum posts I've seen around - also one on Druid Street in the railway arches seems similar. Both are popular with taxi cabs so are very reasonably priced (£10 for a wash). I don't want a full detail at this stage (planning that come Spring, in preparation for Summer). What do people think of the "American Car Wash" locations?

My main concern is paintwork damage as I've had some poor experiences when I lived in Sydney when they have deeply scratched my paintwork with trapped dirt etc.

Can anyone recommend a central-ish London car wash that won't damage my pride and joy?

Cheers,

James

Changedmyname

12,543 posts

180 months

Monday 30th January 2012
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Best do it your self,it's a good work out and that way you will know is done properly.
And you can always check for little scratches/dents.

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Monday 30th January 2012
quotequote all
I park in an undergroud car park as well. But there is a lift so I can manage with two buckets. In other words, you do it yourself smile

There's a very good place on West Hill, Putney that's about a tenner. They have a line, inital de-greasing type spray, then jetting, then CLEAN cloths before drying with chamois. Haven;t taken the Aston there, but I would...

Test the local place with your sheddy car first, it's the only way you'll know.

Diablos-666

2,786 posts

177 months

Monday 30th January 2012
quotequote all
I've never seen a hand car wash place use the 2 sponge technique before, therefore I'd feel your car would end up being scratched to f*ck!

Your best option is trying to find a place that washes the car without any contact with anything other than soap and water.


George H

14,706 posts

163 months

Monday 30th January 2012
quotequote all
Getting your car washed by someone else? Where's the satisfaction in that?!

jamespconnor

Original Poster:

280 posts

202 months

Monday 30th January 2012
quotequote all
Thanks - I've done a bit more digging and for others that might stumble on this thread, these guys come recommended:

Lellers (various places) and Posh Wash (again various places) - sounds like both handle very nice cars on a daily basis and are fairly reasonable too.

tonyhall38

4,194 posts

215 months

Monday 30th January 2012
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i do mine.....can you tell?

paddy328

2,902 posts

184 months

Monday 30th January 2012
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You wouldn't happen to have any pics of your car would you tony?........

Wherever you go to have your car washed mate, make sure they don't use a blade to dry the car.

AdamV8V

1,379 posts

155 months

Monday 30th January 2012
quotequote all
Hi James,

I live just round the corner from you in Bermondsey and have exactly the same problem.

I usually combine my car cleaning duties with going to see my mum down in Kent and use her hose etc (2 birds, one stone!) but have used the place you reference under the arches on Druid street quite a few time, and they do a great job.

I would be interested in how you go with the other places though, so please update this thread with your experiences / send me a PM.

And if you fancy going for a drive any time or a beer to talk Astons, let me know. I also lived in Sydney for eight years - got back to the UK this time last year.

Adam

AdamV8V

1,379 posts

155 months

Monday 30th January 2012
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PS - pics of new steed are obligatory smile

JohnG1

3,462 posts

204 months

Monday 30th January 2012
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Wash cars? Get ye gone Satan.

Cars and women, best when dirty.

Jockman

17,912 posts

159 months

Monday 30th January 2012
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George H said:
Getting your car washed by someone else? Where's the satisfaction in that?!
You got someone else to cook you a curry the other night. Where's the satisfaction in that? wink

I always keep my car clean but I've never washed it myself !!

nofuse22

196 posts

174 months

Monday 30th January 2012
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I am terribly lazy and do get it washed: there's a very good wash just off edgeware road in w2. Costs a tenner I think...

Shmee

7,565 posts

212 months

Monday 30th January 2012
quotequote all
Lellers on Kendal Street, just off Edgware Road.

Same place that in 18 months I have seen these being washed: 2x One-77, 2x Veyron, Enzo, Multiple SLRs, Phantom, Aventador and quite a lot of others. I trust them to do a good enough job.

Edited by Shmee on Monday 30th January 23:37

johng39

3,059 posts

159 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
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JohnG1 said:
Wash cars? Get ye gone Satan.

Cars and women, best when dirty.
Getting predictable cous......

jamespconnor

Original Poster:

280 posts

202 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
AdamV8V said:
Hi James,

I live just round the corner from you in Bermondsey and have exactly the same problem.

I usually combine my car cleaning duties with going to see my mum down in Kent and use her hose etc (2 birds, one stone!) but have used the place you reference under the arches on Druid street quite a few time, and they do a great job.

I would be interested in how you go with the other places though, so please update this thread with your experiences / send me a PM.

And if you fancy going for a drive any time or a beer to talk Astons, let me know. I also lived in Sydney for eight years - got back to the UK this time last year.

Adam
Hi Adam - 2 birds, 1 stone - I like it biggrin.

I ended up taking it to Lellers on Clerkenwell Road. They did a good job and nice guys to boot. When I said it was my first time here, he explained about the other garage in W2 (off Edgeware Rd) and gave me a leaflet. Seemed to do a good job on the exterior (Didn't get anything done on the interior as they were closing up when I arrived). Will return - cost £11 but I think interior should have been included in that (not sure...).

I will be checking out Druid Street next, possibly followed by the one nearest me (as mentioned in my first post - it's actually on the junction of Union Street and the A300 on Google maps). I'll report back with my findings.

You've seen my "New Car" thread with pics - would be keen to see pictures of your Aston, and a beer at some stage - I don't think I've had a drop since delivery in case I feel like going for a drive biggrin - Definite honeymoon period.

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Tuesday 31st January 2012
quotequote all
George H said:
Getting your car washed by someone else? Where's the satisfaction in that?!
Contributing to the economy and helping dig the country out of the recession. It's all about philanthropy biggrin

sprinter11

180 posts

158 months

Wednesday 1st February 2012
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http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_19538950...

2 bucket wash method

over the rainbow

sham83

16 posts

191 months

Monday 25th May 2015
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I live in Shad Thames and use the guys on Druid Street to clean my Lotus. While I commend their hard work, I find that they sometimes miss spots, especially the dirt near the bottom of the car, on the side skirts. Also, their tyre spray seems a bit abrasive and leaves streaks on my black alloys. However, for a tenner, one can't complain too much. I am getting a Maserati soon so I want a higher quality wash and no risk of damage. Anyone found a place near to SE1 that they can recommend?


AdamV8V said:
Hi James,

I live just round the corner from you in Bermondsey and have exactly the same problem.

I usually combine my car cleaning duties with going to see my mum down in Kent and use her hose etc (2 birds, one stone!) but have used the place you reference under the arches on Druid street quite a few time, and they do a great job.

I would be interested in how you go with the other places though, so please update this thread with your experiences / send me a PM.

And if you fancy going for a drive any time or a beer to talk Astons, let me know. I also lived in Sydney for eight years - got back to the UK this time last year.

Adam

Jon39

12,782 posts

142 months

Monday 25th May 2015
quotequote all
jamespconnor said:
I picked up my mint condition MY05 DB9 with 22,500 miles on the clock from Aston Martin Stratstone on Western Avenue last week and after driving it pretty much all weekend, it's looking a little dirty.

Did you choose a black coloured car?