Central London valeters destroying my car!
Discussion
Hi guys! I live in central London and have been really disappointed with the damage car washing companies have inflicted onto my car. I have a 325i coupe from new and my brake callipers have rusted after only 6 months and 4000 miles. I can't just start washing my car on the street in SW3!! Is there a single place I can take my car to get it washed properly, using the right products, without inflicting so much damage?
I am sure people out there with much more expensive and exotic machinery feel the same way? Imagine using acid to clean your Porsche Carrera GT wheels.... I would start crying!
I am sure people out there with much more expensive and exotic machinery feel the same way? Imagine using acid to clean your Porsche Carrera GT wheels.... I would start crying!
Edited by MNEP on Sunday 5th December 20:54
Thank you for the reply. I have heard about this guy before, but the only issue is that I doubt he will come in once a week for a regular wash! That's the problem.... I don't mind paying a premium to get this done mobile but its crazy that there isn't a place that you can drive into to get this done.
I don't understand why can't you do any regular washing yourself?
You just need to understand some simple techniques and use the right products.
Take the car to a detailer for paint correction and teh odd protection detail, but to wash it??
It's presumably your brake discs not calipers that have rusted? The rust on the disc face will be taken off when you use the car.
You just need to understand some simple techniques and use the right products.
Take the car to a detailer for paint correction and teh odd protection detail, but to wash it??
It's presumably your brake discs not calipers that have rusted? The rust on the disc face will be taken off when you use the car.
alolympic said:
I don't understand why can't you do any regular washing yourself?
You just need to understand some simple techniques and use the right products.
Take the car to a detailer for paint correction and teh odd protection detail, but to wash it??
It's presumably your brake discs not calipers that have rusted? The rust on the disc face will be taken off when you use the car.
HiYou just need to understand some simple techniques and use the right products.
Take the car to a detailer for paint correction and teh odd protection detail, but to wash it??
It's presumably your brake discs not calipers that have rusted? The rust on the disc face will be taken off when you use the car.
No its the calipers he means, this is common on BMW.
Regs
G
elitedetailer said:
alolympic said:
I don't understand why can't you do any regular washing yourself?
You just need to understand some simple techniques and use the right products.
Take the car to a detailer for paint correction and teh odd protection detail, but to wash it??
It's presumably your brake discs not calipers that have rusted? The rust on the disc face will be taken off when you use the car.
HiYou just need to understand some simple techniques and use the right products.
Take the car to a detailer for paint correction and teh odd protection detail, but to wash it??
It's presumably your brake discs not calipers that have rusted? The rust on the disc face will be taken off when you use the car.
No its the calipers he means, this is common on BMW.
Regs
G
Still, an easy DIY job.
alolympic said:
elitedetailer said:
alolympic said:
I don't understand why can't you do any regular washing yourself?
You just need to understand some simple techniques and use the right products.
Take the car to a detailer for paint correction and teh odd protection detail, but to wash it??
It's presumably your brake discs not calipers that have rusted? The rust on the disc face will be taken off when you use the car.
HiYou just need to understand some simple techniques and use the right products.
Take the car to a detailer for paint correction and teh odd protection detail, but to wash it??
It's presumably your brake discs not calipers that have rusted? The rust on the disc face will be taken off when you use the car.
No its the calipers he means, this is common on BMW.
Regs
G
Still, an easy DIY job.
On the topic of car wash, there is one which is supposed to be opening soon which should be safe... However right now I don't know of any place.
Regs
G
No problem G... I am sure you have better things to do than come done for a £35 pound wash! You will spend that amount in diesel from where you are to come down to London.
Guys, I can't explain the damage!! Its not only the calliper, but the brake disc hub and wheel nuts. Imagine paying £37200 for a brand new car and having rusting components because of stupid people using acid to clean your wheels and you're paying £20 for it! Not to mention the poor washing techniques inducing swirls etc...
I have no alternative but to take it to a petrol station and wash it there, with loads of coins! I am actually thinking about getting a Boxster Spyder but I need to find a solution to this issue that I have first. The ironic thing is that these people are actually regarded as upmarket valeters based in Kendal Street in W1, London.
I am going to post up pictures for you guys to have a look, you will not believe your eyes!
Guys, I can't explain the damage!! Its not only the calliper, but the brake disc hub and wheel nuts. Imagine paying £37200 for a brand new car and having rusting components because of stupid people using acid to clean your wheels and you're paying £20 for it! Not to mention the poor washing techniques inducing swirls etc...
I have no alternative but to take it to a petrol station and wash it there, with loads of coins! I am actually thinking about getting a Boxster Spyder but I need to find a solution to this issue that I have first. The ironic thing is that these people are actually regarded as upmarket valeters based in Kendal Street in W1, London.
I am going to post up pictures for you guys to have a look, you will not believe your eyes!
Edited by MNEP on Sunday 5th December 23:09
Looking at the Detailer/Valeter directory at the top of the section, Auto Finesse is one whom might be able to accommodate you.
James is a dead on guy, and if you register with Detailing World, you'll have him and other site supporting members listed to contact.
A wash may be nothing in the grand scheme of things, but a tailored package to include initial paint correction, then ongoing maintenance throughout the year, inc weekly washes, wouldn't be scoffed at.
Don't despair, we'll try to get you sorted beyond petrol station self-service washes without using the brush most users leave on the ground!
James is a dead on guy, and if you register with Detailing World, you'll have him and other site supporting members listed to contact.
A wash may be nothing in the grand scheme of things, but a tailored package to include initial paint correction, then ongoing maintenance throughout the year, inc weekly washes, wouldn't be scoffed at.
Don't despair, we'll try to get you sorted beyond petrol station self-service washes without using the brush most users leave on the ground!
Edited by PJ S on Monday 6th December 23:33
If you want your car hand washed with a level of sympathy, not a full on detail but the underside washed, dried without a blade or chamois and washed using warm water and without cellulose sponges then why not drive upto the American Car Wash Company on 131-179 Belsize Rd, London, NW6 4AQ.
Hey guys thanks for the responses regarding my dilemma.
The petrol station scenario means that I can use a jet wash to make life easier. I will contact Auto finesse tomorrow and see what sort of package they can offer, as I would like to get my car detailed, then maintained.
I think there might be light at the end of the tunnel! I mentioned this subject with a guy at work who goes to the Virgin Active Gym in Kensington and he mentioned that he noticed there was a couple of guys washing a 458 Italia in one of the garages opposite.
I will have to investigate tomorrow, I will keep you guys posted!
G - lets hope you are right about this new place in London!
I will try post the pictures as promised tonight of the damage...
The petrol station scenario means that I can use a jet wash to make life easier. I will contact Auto finesse tomorrow and see what sort of package they can offer, as I would like to get my car detailed, then maintained.
I think there might be light at the end of the tunnel! I mentioned this subject with a guy at work who goes to the Virgin Active Gym in Kensington and he mentioned that he noticed there was a couple of guys washing a 458 Italia in one of the garages opposite.
I will have to investigate tomorrow, I will keep you guys posted!
G - lets hope you are right about this new place in London!
I will try post the pictures as promised tonight of the damage...
Edited by MNEP on Monday 6th December 20:26
If you wanted to do the washing yourself, you could look into Eco/Waterless washing: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay...
Could you not wash car in street? I know its not ideal but even if you dont have a tap outside you can get an attachment to fit hose to kitchen tap and run the hose out to the car. Another alternative is to go to the Jetwash and choose the economy wash (2 quid), this works ok if car not too dirty and then just chamois it dry, for the winter months this option seems to be easier than the whole full manual wash at home - I was chamoising few weeks ago and wondered what was still on the paint -- it was ice forming.
Mattt said:
If you wanted to do the washing yourself, you could look into Eco/Waterless washing: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay...
I have seen these work and they are ok, it just feels unnatural to wash a car without water, it goes against everything the detailers suggest and recommend. Imagine the swirl marks being induced if you rub the micro-fibre cloth against a unlubricated section....!! I am sure the car still feel dirty after you have cleaned it, its like when my girlfriend uses dry shampoo for her hair!!! It just sounds wrong.
randomwalk said:
Could you not wash car in street? I know its not ideal but even if you dont have a tap outside you can get an attachment to fit hose to kitchen tap and run the hose out to the car. Another alternative is to go to the Jetwash and choose the economy wash (2 quid), this works ok if car not too dirty and then just chamois it dry, for the winter months this option seems to be easier than the whole full manual wash at home - I was chamoising few weeks ago and wondered what was still on the paint -- it was ice forming.
Apparently chamois leather cloths are old school and induce swirls! we should all start using microfibre cloths instead to dry our cars!
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