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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic Maintenance: Wash, Wax, Detailing, Repairs > Do I have to get my f30 waxed? detailed? clay bar-ed?
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      05-18-2012, 09:11 PM   #1
carconvert
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Do I have to get my f30 waxed? detailed? clay bar-ed?

So i've had it for 2 months now... and i've just been washing it weekly via touchless car washes. What do you folks recommend?
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      05-18-2012, 09:16 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by carconvert View Post
So i've had it for 2 months now... and i've just been washing it weekly via touchless car washes. What do you folks recommend?
What's a touchless car wash?
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      05-18-2012, 09:20 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Tremolo View Post
What's a touchless car wash?
No brushes touch your car -- just high-pressure water
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      05-18-2012, 09:26 PM   #4
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wash, then clay, then wax.
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      05-18-2012, 09:27 PM   #5
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Yes after it takes about 3 months for factory paint to cure. You should be ok to do a full detail on the 4th month.
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      05-18-2012, 10:49 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justinnum1
wash, then clay, then wax.

Do we do this when we pick up the car or after the first four months???
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      05-18-2012, 11:19 PM   #7
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I'm planning on claying as soon as possible once I have the car. Then semi-annual...ok, yearly....ok, when I get off my lazy a$$!!

I do believe in clay, though. It feels amazing afterward.
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      05-18-2012, 11:58 PM   #8
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my understanding is that clay removes deposits so it would not need to be done on a new car.
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      05-19-2012, 12:30 AM   #9
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Regarding the need to clay a new car, I think it depends on how much of the environment the new car has been exposed to. Even though rail cars from Munich to Bremerhaven may be covered, I think that just the fact that they're on rail exposes them to, at the very least, a small amount of rail dust.

I clayed my current ride soon after I took delivery and there was a fair amount of junk in the finish. It wasn't nearly as bad as my prior car which did not get a clay treatment until a few years after I bought it. That car was pretty bad. But, I was able to restore the finish to a very, very smooth feel.

I've yet to receive my 328 so I don't know how much crap is embedded. But I'm sure there will be SOMETHING to remove. This is my first Bimmer so perhaps I'm wrong, and BMW does an over-the-top job of wrapping each new car in some sort of protective car condom. All the better. That still won't stop me from claying the car asap.
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      05-19-2012, 12:54 AM   #10
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touchless car washes are evil. they need to make the soap super harsh to do its job since there are no brushes. It sucks the life out of your paint over time....
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      05-19-2012, 12:58 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by carconvert View Post
So i've had it for 2 months now... and i've just been washing it weekly via touchless car washes. What do you folks recommend?
If you're actually in Toronto, find a professional detailer to do it.

If you are in Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Richmond Hill, Woodbridge, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, Hamilton, Burlington, Ancaster, Vaughan, Barrie, or any of the other places there people live who say they are from Toronto but aren't actually from Toronto, call Fine Details and get them to do it.
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      05-19-2012, 06:53 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtuds View Post
If you're actually in Toronto, find a professional detailer to do it.

If you are in Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Richmond Hill, Woodbridge, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, Hamilton, Burlington, Ancaster, Vaughan, Barrie, or any of the other places there people live who say they are from Toronto but aren't actually from Toronto, call Fine Details and get them to do it.
Jtuds... those places ARE part of the Greater Toronto Area, except Barrie and Ancaster I guess. Regardless, most just say Toronto just like people who live in Wheaton, Skokie, Elk Grove, etc. just say Chicago. Its to provide an easier frame of reference.

I'm getting mine washed, clayed, polished and waxed as soon as I take delivery. Appt. is prebooked... Hopefully only a couple of weeks to go!
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      05-19-2012, 06:59 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jddssc121 View Post
touchless car washes are evil. they need to make the soap super harsh to do its job since there are no brushes. It sucks the life out of your paint over time....
Great advice. Stay clear of touch-less car washes. It is much better to use a car wash with brushes because of the harsh chemicals used in touch-less. Regarding waxing/detailing, yes you definitely should wax your vehicle. If you are washing your car weekly, it needs to be waxed every 6 to 8 weeks, as the wax washes off a little after each wash. The good news is there are some great waxes and/or sealants out there that require little work in application. What color car do you have?
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      05-19-2012, 08:13 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J1n View Post
Yes after it takes about 3 months for factory paint to cure. You should be ok to do a full detail on the 4th month.
Factory paint is fully cured straight out the factory oven ( straight from the chemists that make the paint for BMW here)

Aftermarket paint ( repair paint) takes 3 months to fully cure
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      05-19-2012, 08:38 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gator15 View Post
Great advice. Stay clear of touch-less car washes. It is much better to use a car wash with brushes because of the harsh chemicals used in touch-less. Regarding waxing/detailing, yes you definitely should wax your vehicle. If you are washing your car weekly, it needs to be waxed every 6 to 8 weeks, as the wax washes off a little after each wash. The good news is there are some great waxes and/or sealants out there that require little work in application. What color car do you have?
Oh, I read somewhere that if something was ever caught in the brush it would get dragged all over your car as it washed it

My car is black sapphire ... I bought Meguiars Ultimate Wash and Wax
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      05-19-2012, 08:40 AM   #16
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If you wax your car, then don't send it through a touch less car wash afterwards. Don't send it through any car wash, in fact. The strength of the soap and pressure of the spray is so powerful, if will strip the wax off your car. Hand wash only, if you care about the finish on your car. No dish washing soap either.
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      05-19-2012, 08:49 AM   #17
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You don't have to. It depends on what you want. I have had my car for a month and have waxed it 7 times (after claying and polishing).

Tom
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      05-19-2012, 08:51 AM   #18
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If you do use a car wash do not select the option of applying wax. A car wash will miss areas, that will still be dirty. You do not want to spray wax over dirt. That will seal in the dirt - probably not a good idea.
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      05-19-2012, 08:52 AM   #19
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There is no magic. If you use car washes you car will have micro scratches and will not be completely clean.
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      05-19-2012, 09:21 AM   #20
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I've found that detailing, be it washing, claying, waxing or sealing, can become an obsession. Twice a year is enough.
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      05-19-2012, 09:38 AM   #21
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The BMW dealership will wash your car if you bring it in where I live. I was wondering if this is a good idea or not? Besides the obvious time in waiting.
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      05-19-2012, 10:22 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TEAShea View Post
There is no magic. If you use car washes you car will have micro scratches and will not be completely clean.
Indeed. No automated car wash is a good car wash.

On the other hand, it is a car, not artwork. Drive it and stop obsessing.
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