[Xxxxx_max]

I had my 40i m sport as a daily driver for nearly a year now with 40000kms( approximately 25000miles）on it. One thing annoying me is that I got lots of little paint scratches, even though I wash it mostly at touchless carwash shops. I'm afraid to go to a hand-wash shop right now cuz it seems that my car keeps getting those annoying little scratches from those washing towels they use. I'm not sure if you guys who have you car in metallic black, carbon black or whatever darker colors without ceramic coding face the same problem as mine. Should I get my car polished and get fully ceramic coding?

[CPTHALL]

Mine is ceramic coated and I still get weblike scratches:-(

[Xxxxx_max]

Originally Posted by CPTHALL

Mine is ceramic coated and I still get weblike scratches:-(

Mine is not even gloss-looking on certain parts under the sun.

[Xxxxx_max]

Originally Posted by Xxxxx_max

Mine is not even gloss-looking on certain parts under the sun.

My previous daily driver was a 2018 f15 X5 and I got it ceramic coated at the dealership. It was metallic grey without m sport package and surprisingly it never had those little scratches on the body and always looked glossy under sunlight. Maybe those scratches are easier to show on darker color I guess.

[Alan l.]

Unavoidable. My car is ceramic coated and I only handwash myself and still get minor swirls here and there. Those outside handwash places uses the same mitt and towels so you can imagine how you are getting scratches. Either handwash yourself or just have to live with it or get fully wrapped in PPF.

Alan

[MystroX5]

The only way to avoid micro scratches is use a foam gun and do it yourself. I got zero swirls when properly washing in the winter months but it requires a lot of prewash soaking and using the foam gun and using very clean wash mitts.

[cesimeone]

Difficult to avoid the washing induced micro marring without proper wash procedure. I also do multiple pre-foam soaks and pressure rinses before any contact.

Mystro, what are you using for a wash mitt/pad?

[Dagwag77]

I've got suntek self-healing PPF and cquartz finest on top of the PPF. I've never sent it through a car wash - always washing myself with extreme care or just letting my detailer take care of my car's maintenance washes - and it still looks amazing! I think it's the PPF that keeps my carbon black looking great.

Originally Posted by cesimeone

Difficult to avoid the washing induced micro marring without proper wash procedure. I also do multiple pre-foam soaks and pressure rinses before any contact.

Mystro, what are you using for a wash mitt/pad?

I figure that with proper lubrication from the soap/water will help lift the dirt up as opposed to scratching, after a pressure wash/foam pre-rise. Drying is the scariest part for me... and I've switched to a master blaster from drying towels (although I was using AMMO hydrate for a while). I use this wash mitt: https://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Acc...ash-Mitt-P576/

[cesimeone]

My PPF is also self healing. That most definitely helps keep the scratches away! I've used Microfiber Madness Incredimitts and Incredipads for years and had zero issues on any color. My new Black Sapphire Metallic doesn't seem to like it much. I pick up some micro scratchy crap when I look at the car under my inspection lights now after a few washes. Bummer

I also use a master blaster for drying. I've got the big one plumbed up in my garage...works great and don't have to listen to my air compressor chug away! I dry to 99.9% with air and use some high GSM micro towels and drying aid for a final wipe down.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by cesimeone

Difficult to avoid the washing induced micro marring without proper wash procedure. I also do multiple pre-foam soaks and pressure rinses before any contact.

Mystro, what are you using for a wash mitt/pad?

Heavy microfiber/chenille mitt. I use 3 or 4 for one wash and then clean them all after. The biggest mistake I see for winter washes is just one mitt and trying to clean it as you go. You just can’t get all the grime out while you wash.

https://www.autogeek.net/supreme-mic...wash-mitt.html

[cesimeone]

I have tons of those as well! So I used to use those and switched to the Microfiber Madness. I am going to try those ones again Mystro and see how I go.

And yes, multiple mitts, multiple rinse buckets, lots of laundry lol. I use the MicroRestore detergent and have come to really like it! Not sure if anyone else uses. Used the Wolfgang detergent prior to that....worked pretty good.

Washing my car is a love hate relationship....the hate part is the wife yelling out the kitchen window "are you still washing that damn thing" but for some reason when I'm cleaning HER car I never hear that. Funny how that works eh?!