Avoid the local jet wash!

Englishbloke · 03-21-2016, 04:27 PM

http://vid.carbuzz.com/beware-the-ho...utm_source=311

subsy · 03-21-2016, 04:30 PM

Edinburra · 03-21-2016, 05:18 PM

Ooops! The only one I've not used for ages is the one they say is better.

....,,,,..,,.. · 03-21-2016, 05:27 PM

While I don't like all 3, I reckon there was a bit of setup to get that much marking in one go.

Some people use these things weekly with minimum issues.

DarrenL_007 · 03-21-2016, 05:32 PM

Not surprised with the jet wash and hand wash but expected the car wash to cause more damage.

d4springer · 03-21-2016, 06:44 PM

Interesting, I use a water blade, never had any issues with it in 3 years and my paintwork still looks pretty good, very few scratches or swirls. If you wash the car properly (using two bucket method of course) then there shouldn't be any grit left on the paint for it to get stuck in the blade.

JOHNBMWM5 · 03-22-2016, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d4springer

Interesting, I use a water blade, never had any issues with it in 3 years and my paintwork still looks pretty good, very few scratches or swirls. If you wash the car properly (using two bucket method of course) then there shouldn't be any grit left on the paint for it to get stuck in the blade.

I use a snow foam gun then jet wash, any crap left another quick jet wash and wash mit, then water blade/ wash leather, no paint damage to date.

pmgreenwood · 03-22-2016, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHNBMWM5

I use a snow foam gun then jet wash, any crap left another quick jet wash and wash mit, then water blade/ wash leather, no paint damage to date.

+1

Also to be fair and accurate needed to test several washes of the different types, mechanical heavily dependant on when brushes last changed

Nobby Clark · 03-22-2016, 07:54 AM

I was surprised at the poor marks awarded for the water blade. Like others, I've used one for years with no problems. If the car has been washed, so long as there is a lubricant on the vehicle i.e water, the blade has nothing abrasive to cause scratches.

I also expected the mechanical car wash to cause more damage.

Finally, what sort of wax costs £1500!!!

moonshine · 03-22-2016, 08:29 AM

a few years ago I scratched a wing on my old deep sea blue e89 z4 the day before I sold it using a water blade. I don't know if it was a bit of grit or a sharp edge somewhere but I'll never use one again.
I was really mad with myself. I was just careless and had only been washing it before the new owner came to collect it so it was sparkling.

Wills2 · 03-22-2016, 08:42 AM

I wouldn't use a water blade on my car, but there are so many ways to introduce swirls and light scratches to your paintwork that it can become a minefield and where do you stop?

moonshine · 03-22-2016, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wills2

I wouldn't use a water blade on my car, but there are so many ways to introduce swirls and light scratches to your paintwork that it can become a minefield and where do you stop?

It wasn't a small scratch or swirl. It was a big deep linear scratch that really showed up on the metallic blue

I'll stick with a microfiber chamois from now on.

Nobby Clark · 03-22-2016, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonshine

It wasn't a small scratch or swirl. It was a big deep linear scratch that really showed up on the metallic blue

I'll stick with a microfiber chamois from now on.

I once had a bonnet resprayed. When I went out to pick up my car there was a visible scratch right across it!

The coachworks guy was really apologetic but cited the combination of an apprentice and a chamois which had probably been dropped as the cause.

Kal101 · 03-22-2016, 03:27 PM

Moral of the story

Wash your car yourself.

AlfaM · 03-22-2016, 03:57 PM

The jet wash was a set up, the pressure and motion he was applying to the brush was to cause maximum damage, I'd say they dragged it across the floor before too.

I put a black Merc through various auto car washers every week for 2 years, when i got it valeted before i handed it back the guy didnt believe me.

Again, i used a jet was on a black pickup for 18 months, i would spray the bush with the jet hose before I used it and I never had any issues.

Quail · 03-23-2016, 06:54 AM

I don't use jetwashes anymore, but jet-washing the brush itself was always the first step in the job.

My local hand carwash thankfully don't use a waterblade, and they seem to do a very good job generally. Strict QC, etc.

However, the one and only time I myself used a waterblade on my car, I instantly left a long scratch down the side. Lesson learned.

sensible · 03-23-2016, 11:49 AM

Hand wash your car yourself. Don't even let BMW wash it.

HiBee · 03-23-2016, 04:11 PM

My local car wash foams & rinses only.

It's up to me if i cause any damage after the usual precautions when cleaning motor.
Thankfully no issues. How sad are we

AlfaM · 03-23-2016, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiBee

How sad are we

Very.

xPETEZx · 03-24-2016, 04:58 AM

I think one can get a little too precious.

Cars are tools for getting from A to B first and foremost. Not ornamental porcelain figurines to be dusted and polished every other day.

It spends all its time out in the elements and driving around in the grit/crime while sharing the road with every other idiot.

You can go too far with how cautious you are and it can actually ruin the enjoyment worrying about it all the time.

Englishbloke · 03-24-2016, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xPETEZx

I think one can get a little too precious.

Cars are tools for getting from A to B first and foremost. Not ornamental porcelain figurines to be dusted and polished every other day.

It spends all its time out in the elements and driving around in the grit/crime while sharing the road with every other idiot.

You can go too far with how cautious you are and it can actually ruin the enjoyment worrying about it all the time.

Crazy talk

It's true, as soon as I get my first scratch/ding/dent I suddenly don't car anymore. It is a depreciating asset and so it doesn't matter too much.

Having said that... We are all very proud of our motors, that's why we hang out on sad forums like this one!

03-21-2016, 04:27 PM	#1
Englishbloke Captain 254 Rep 922 Posts Drives: F30 335d TB Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Midlands, UK iTrader: (0)	Avoid the local jet wash! http://vid.carbuzz.com/beware-the-ho...utm_source=311
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03-21-2016, 04:30 PM	#2
subsy Major 453 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 340i F31 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Nr Reading, UK iTrader: (0)	Last edited by subsy; 03-21-2016 at 04:35 PM..
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03-21-2016, 05:18 PM	#3
Edinburra Major 547 Rep 1,484 Posts Drives: Audi A5 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland. iTrader: (0)	Ooops! The only one I've not used for ages is the one they say is better.
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03-21-2016, 05:27 PM	#4
....,,,,..,,.. General 6733 Rep 20,651 Posts Drives: xxxx Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: xxxx iTrader: (0)	While I don't like all 3, I reckon there was a bit of setup to get that much marking in one go. Some people use these things weekly with minimum issues.
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03-21-2016, 05:32 PM	#5
DarrenL_007 Lieutenant 209 Rep 542 Posts Drives: F36 430d xDrive M Sport GC Join Date: May 2015 Location: West Midlands iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 430d xDriv ... [0.00]	Not surprised with the jet wash and hand wash but expected the car wash to cause more damage. __________________ 440i GC M Sport : Arrived 25th May 2018 Mineral Grey / Ivory White Dakota Leather / Reversing Camera / Folding/Auto Dipping Mirrors / Park Assist / Sun Protection Glass / Electric Glass Sunroof / Heated Steering Wheel / Icon Adaptive LED Headlights / 19" 704M Alloys / Digital Cockpit / Head-up Display / Wifi Hotspot / Driving Assistant / Speed Limit Display / Harmon Kardon Loudspeakers / High-Beam Assist / Enhanced Bluetooth - Wireless Charging / Online Entertainment / M Sport Brakes / Comfort Access / Extended Storage
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03-21-2016, 06:44 PM	#6
d4springer Major 512 Rep 1,404 Posts Drives: F80 M3 CP SS/SO Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Scotland, UK iTrader: (0)	Interesting, I use a water blade, never had any issues with it in 3 years and my paintwork still looks pretty good, very few scratches or swirls. If you wash the car properly (using two bucket method of course) then there shouldn't be any grit left on the paint for it to get stuck in the blade. __________________ Current - F80 M3 CP SS/SO \| M Performance Extras Prev - F30 330D M Sport \| White \| M Performance Kit \| Various Extras Prev - E92 330D M Sport \| Black \| Highline Older - E46 330i \| Silver \| AC Schnitzer, E36 328i Coupe \| White
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03-22-2016, 07:54 AM	#9
Nobby Clark Lieutenant Colonel 759 Rep 1,863 Posts Drives: F36 430d xDrive M Sport Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I was surprised at the poor marks awarded for the water blade. Like others, I've used one for years with no problems. If the car has been washed, so long as there is a lubricant on the vehicle i.e water, the blade has nothing abrasive to cause scratches. I also expected the mechanical car wash to cause more damage. Finally, what sort of wax costs £1500!!!
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03-22-2016, 08:29 AM	#10
moonshine Lieutenant Colonel 849 Rep 1,858 Posts Drives: 718 Boxster S Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	a few years ago I scratched a wing on my old deep sea blue e89 z4 the day before I sold it using a water blade. I don't know if it was a bit of grit or a sharp edge somewhere but I'll never use one again. I was really mad with myself. I was just careless and had only been washing it before the new owner came to collect it so it was sparkling.
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03-22-2016, 08:42 AM	#11
Wills2 Barge driver 8656 Rep 12,425 Posts Drives: 730d Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't use a water blade on my car, but there are so many ways to introduce swirls and light scratches to your paintwork that it can become a minefield and where do you stop? __________________ 730d/Z4C
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03-22-2016, 03:27 PM	#14
Kal101 Major General 3105 Rep 7,032 Posts Drives: 335xd Msport + Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: West mids!!!! iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Bmw msport + 3 ... [0.00]	Moral of the story Wash your car yourself. __________________
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03-22-2016, 03:57 PM	#15
AlfaM Captain 282 Rep 613 Posts Drives: M340d Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	The jet wash was a set up, the pressure and motion he was applying to the brush was to cause maximum damage, I'd say they dragged it across the floor before too. I put a black Merc through various auto car washers every week for 2 years, when i got it valeted before i handed it back the guy didnt believe me. Again, i used a jet was on a black pickup for 18 months, i would spray the bush with the jet hose before I used it and I never had any issues.
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03-23-2016, 06:54 AM	#16
Quail Private First Class 50 Rep 105 Posts Drives: F31 335d Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Bedfordshire iTrader: (0)	I don't use jetwashes anymore, but jet-washing the brush itself was always the first step in the job. My local hand carwash thankfully don't use a waterblade, and they seem to do a very good job generally. Strict QC, etc. However, the one and only time I myself used a waterblade on my car, I instantly left a long scratch down the side. Lesson learned. __________________ S14a 200SX / F31 335d
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03-23-2016, 11:49 AM	#17
sensible Lieutenant Colonel 810 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: BMW 420i M-Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: West Midlands UK iTrader: (0)	Hand wash your car yourself. Don't even let BMW wash it.
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03-23-2016, 04:11 PM	#18
HiBee Major 121 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: F90 Comp 2019. DG & Silverston Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Edinburgh iTrader: (0)	My local car wash foams & rinses only. It's up to me if i cause any damage after the usual precautions when cleaning motor. Thankfully no issues. How sad are we
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03-24-2016, 04:58 AM	#20
xPETEZx Captain 43 Rep 663 Posts Drives: Golf R Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I think one can get a little too precious. Cars are tools for getting from A to B first and foremost. Not ornamental porcelain figurines to be dusted and polished every other day. It spends all its time out in the elements and driving around in the grit/crime while sharing the road with every other idiot. You can go too far with how cautious you are and it can actually ruin the enjoyment worrying about it all the time.
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