yea the touchless is good to get the salt off for winter. Everyone's X5 pics looks great! Thanks for all the tips.

Some years ago the Danish Car Association FDM made a test, where they washed 2 identical cars several times over a long period of time - one by hand only, and one by carwash only (with brushes).

The surface of the paint was more damagede on the hand washed one!!

They stated that the reason was that the carwash uses much more water, while you by hand use much less.

Also it was mentioned that by hand the dirt was moved around and scratching the surface.

In Denmark there were a few brushless some years ago, but they never got any success as the cars never were clean!

Well, I also handwash mostly using a hose and brush, and of course the surface does not look like a mirror. ;)

Great post, would love to see a copy of that study.

I generally use a brushless car wash in Hamptonbays. It cost about $20 but they do a great job inside and out. When I am in the city and its dirty (like now) I do use a regular wash but it better than all that salt sitting on it.

Unfortunately it is some years ago, but the issue made me recall, that it was a test in co-operation with Shell, probably to get some promotion for their carwash. (In Denmark we only have carwash in combination with a gas station).

I have found another and more recent article about the subject from FDM, and now they say it is OK to handwash if you use lots of water.

And they say that the advantage by handwash is, that you see all damages, spots and scratches on the surface! I find that part very depressing! :saad:

Oh I wish we had one of those around here! I have yet to find a self-wash place in the DC metro area.

Thx.

Yea I feel that way too. Hate to see every little thing! I see the ding that ppl have left me with and I get mad all over again.