04-30-2024, 05:27 PM | #1 |
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Car wash - how often?
How often do you wash your car? And what do you use to wipe down dust in between washes?
I’ll start - I wash mine every month and i use the California Car Duster to wipe the dust between washes. I also wipe down every night. For the record i have a black 2021 x5 and i park inside the garage and live in Los Angeles CA. |
04-30-2024, 05:42 PM | #2 |
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Waterless wash at least every two weeks, california duster too...complete foam cannon wash from time to time, just gotta have time for this part.
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04-30-2024, 05:47 PM | #4 |
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Cermic coated, full front ppf and lots of microfiber towels (using them gently, just enough to lift the dirt) -- and presto Swirl marks are not there.
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04-30-2024, 06:54 PM | #7 |
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04-30-2024, 07:27 PM | #8 |
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Every 2-4 weeks and always after it rains. Water pressure wash only, never any scrubbers except a microfiber cloth to touch up. Avoid automatic car washes at all costs!
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04-30-2024, 09:38 PM | #9 |
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Every week when weather allows. Always at least every 3-4 weeks. I never use anything in between. If I want a lazy wash, I’ll foam it and rinse it and blow it to dry. I won’t use towels to dry unless I’ve actually washed it with foam and a mitt.
I’m pretty OCD and never use auto washes. Ever. It’s either me or my trusted detailer, who has an indoor shop. I never wash it with a mitt when it’s too breezy. It’s ceramic coated with Ceramic Pro and was paint corrected prior. And there are still micro scratches that have developed and can be found with direct light. You really can’t avoid it. But there aren’t any swirls or spider webs. After 15 months it still looks glossy even after a foam and rinse. It looks like glass after a good wash. How long does it take y’all? Takes me probably 1.5 hours on average to do the whole job, in and out, including set up and clean up. I love the X6 M50/60 but I’m afraid that would take me 2+ hours. My wife might kill me.
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05-01-2024, 01:42 AM | #10 |
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I wash my x5 once every two months as it’s my weekend car. For my daily commuter car I wash it every week to get rid of the snow and salt in winter and bugs in summer. I do a lot of highway driving. I don’t use auto wash, I always hand wash my car even in winter, which takes about 1-1.5 hours to do the job including engine bay area. It’s a tough job but I enjoy doing it.
I find x5 pick up dusts so easily at the back due to the design. However I don’t wipe down dust in between washes. Just leave the dust, I don’t trust waterless washes. I avoid any kind of physical contact to the paint without using plenty of water. No swirl marks on paint so far. I use microfiber towels to dry the car after wash, very gently. The paint is fresh and new because cars are always parked in the garage. My don’ts I do not use auto wash. I do not wash my car in the day, I do it only at nights. I do not use tire shining products. The wet grease shining gives a car a cheap look. I do not use chemical guys, which I believe it’s an overpriced gimmick. I use the yellow Meguiars ultimate wash and wax, which is good enough for regular car wash. I also tried Meguiars ceramic wash & wax, I don’t like it. I do not let dealers wash my car after service. I do not wipe off dusts between washes. I only rinse off dusts.
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05-01-2024, 03:02 AM | #11 |
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I usually wash it once every 2 weeks or so, depending on the weather.
Foam + rinse with a Karcher pressure washer Then dry with towels Never use auto wash
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05-01-2024, 08:16 AM | #13 |
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I'm lazy and use a automated laser wash (pressurized water only). Prior to entering the wash I spray the wheels and other soiled areas with P21s Total Auto Wash. Dry with microfiber towels afterwards. Comes clean every time.
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05-01-2024, 08:34 AM | #14 | |
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Quote:
If you want to try a tire dressing that doesn’t sling or look greasy and cheap, try Adams’s VRT. It makes them look black and clean but not shiny and greasy. And unless you over apply, it doesn’t sling.
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05-01-2024, 09:03 AM | #16 |
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When it looks like this
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05-01-2024, 10:51 AM | #20 |
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The dealer washes it every time they service it, so every 10k miles or so.
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05-01-2024, 04:05 PM | #22 |
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When ever it rains. No swirl marks…
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