London owners: Where do you get your car washed?

[jamespconnor]

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

[jamespconnor]

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.

[jamespconnor]

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 .

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 - Definite honeymoon period.

[jamesc12]

I still only take my DB9 to the Rainbow Carwash, now called Unique Carwash, next to Ace Cafe in Wembley. £7 for outside, well well worth it, it looks a bit rough and ready but these guys have good processes (jetwash => snow foam (wheel scrub during rest) => rinse => handwash with 2 bucket wash system => rinse => dry with clean dry microfibre cloths and high pressure air hose to dry panel gaps and window seals).

Have never had a bad thing to say about it except for the sometimes lengthy queues (I've spent 2 hours there before).