IMO/ARC car wash

[Stevey101]

So I’ve been reading up and I’ve heard bad things about car washes as they’re really bad for your paint work apparently.

Was thinking of getting the PRO-SHIELD wash which is there top premium wash with a polymer sealant.

Anyone had an experience with this and should I use it? It’s just I’ve got a brand new M1 so it’s not some stty banger I wanna ruin lol.

[SidewaysSi]

What's a new M1?

Just take it to a proper detailer rather than messing about?

[Krikkit]

If you care about value then don't use a roller wash - the stories of how bad they can be are grossly exaggerated, but I can see the condition of the paint on my shed from how it's treated at the roller wash.

Get a local mobile detailer to come and sort it.

[sherman]

These auto car washes will add swirl marks all over your paintwork.

As above just pay for the proper detailer. You will be able to get someone to come to your house as well.

[ro250]

Personally I'd steer clear of any automated wash. I know these days they use microfibre rollers etc. but still not ideal. They'll use strong chemicals to clean paint for those hard to reach areas. Something I'd prefer to avoid.

If it's your pride and joy, do it yourself.

[Stevey101]

SidewaysSi said:

What's a new M1?

Just take it to a proper detailer rather than messing about?

The New BMW M135i F40

[CraigyMc]

Stevey101 said:

SidewaysSi said:

What's a new M1?

Just take it to a proper detailer rather than messing about?

The New BMW M135i F40

It's a 300hp, 2 litre 4-pot with xDrive (the other models are all fwd), for this who like me had never heard of this.

Calling it an M1 is a bit of a stretch.
This is a real M1.

[ds666]

My I pace regularly sees an arc car wash and all seems fine .

[scoey1001]

The one near me I've used before and the 'pro shield' didn't even clean it properly. Had dirt all over the boot and it wasn't even bad to begin with.

[CraigyMc]

As others have said, an automated wash will just mash the clearcoat up. If you want it washed properly, have it detailed.

Automated washes collect grit and stuff from the people who use them and don't care (eg. 4x4 users) onto the rollers/washing surfaces. They then scrape the crap out of everything that follows.

Cleaning it with a two bucket method yourself (or by a trusted person who is using new/clean materials such as sponges) is probably the best happy medium.

[Ron240]

Stevey101 said:

I’ve got a brand new M1 so it’s not some stty banger

Cue lots of confusion by all who read that.

Stevey101 said:

The New BMW M135i F40

The expanation.

Im sorry but you cannot be allowed to get away with referring to your car as an M1.

[ds666]

Sponge ?

[SidewaysSi]

Stevey101 said:

SidewaysSi said:

What's a new M1?

Just take it to a proper detailer rather than messing about?

The New BMW M135i F40

Holy mother. Please tell me owners aren't referring to their cars as "new M1s"?

[ChickenvanGuy]

CraigyMc said:

As others have said, an automated wash will just mash the clearcoat up. If you want it washed properly, have it detailed.

Automated washes collect grit and stuff from the people who use them and don't care (eg. 4x4 users) onto the rollers/washing surfaces. They then scrape the crap out of everything that follows.

Cleaning it with a two bucket method yourself (or by a trusted person who is using new/clean materials such as sponges) is probably the best happy medium.

This is spot on.

If you even vaguely care about your care, avoid all automatic carwashes. I also would never use a hand car wash that are so prevalent now, but I enjoy a) having decent paintwork and b) doing it myself.

You don't have to go mad, but a two bucket wash with a microfibre mitt, then a hand polish with Autoglym Super Resin Polish then a coat of their Extra Gloss Protection will be much better than any automatic "polymer sealant".

The buckets, mitt and Autoglym products are in Halfords and are fine for normal use. Take you an afternoon.

[Stevey101]

CraigyMc said:

It's a 300hp, 2 litre 4-pot with xDrive (the other models are all fwd), for this who like me had never heard of this.

Calling it an M1 is a bit of a stretch.
This is a real M1.

I’m new to the whole car world and only just recently got into cars. My mistake I just thought as this is the only actual M 1 series you can get it’d be an M1.

Also interested what car do you have?

[Ron240]

Stevey101 said:

I’m new to the whole car world and only just recently got into cars. My mistake I just thought as this is the only actual M 1 series you can get it’d be an M1.

BMW's proper M cars are designated by the letter M followed by a single number.
Your car is very nice, but it is not a proper M car.
The smallest M car BMW currently produce is the M2.

[alorotom]

Stevey101 said:

So I’ve been reading up and I’ve heard bad things about car washes as they’re really bad for your paint work apparently.

Was thinking of getting the PRO-SHIELD wash which is there top premium wash with a polymer sealant.

Anyone had an experience with this and should I use it? It’s just I’ve got a brand new M1 so it’s not some stty banger I wanna ruin lol.

It’ll be fine and while not a banger it’s neither a M1 nor a 1M - so while it’s nice to keep it nice it certainly doesn’t need babying

[shtu]

Stevey101 said:

So I’ve been reading up and I’ve heard bad things about car washes as they’re really bad for your paint work apparently.

Was thinking of getting the PRO-SHIELD wash which is there top premium wash with a polymer sealant.

Anyone had an experience with this and should I use it? It’s just I’ve got a brand new M1 so it’s not some stty banger I wanna ruin lol.

Using the (slightly) wrong model name?

Asking about auto car washes?

That was only ever going to result in a massive pedant-off, try not to let it discourage you. Maybe ask about some new tyres for it and stand well back.

[CraigyMc]

Stevey101 said:

CraigyMc said:

It's a 300hp, 2 litre 4-pot with xDrive (the other models are all fwd), for this who like me had never heard of this.

Calling it an M1 is a bit of a stretch.
This is a real M1.

I’m new to the whole car world and only just recently got into cars. My mistake I just thought as this is the only actual M 1 series you can get it’d be an M1.

Also interested what car do you have?

At the moment, an Exige V6 and an E90 320d/ED, though if the Emira turns out to be a sportscar, i'll most likely buy one of those.
Right before I bought the Exige I was looking at an M2 CS, but the Exige was just a much better car for the money. Turns out the Exige has appreciated in value since I bought it.

[milu]

Why not wash it yourself?