London owners: Where do you get your car washed?
Discussion
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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 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 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
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.
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
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
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