Automatic Car Wash?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 352
Likes: 158
The good thing about a quality ceramic coating is that it does offer a sacrificial layer and can lessen the need to wash car as often. I don't buy any of the "lifetime" claims unless you only have 2-5 years to live.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 854
From: Knoxville
Sounds like your detailer wants to make money off you lol. But he may be right. I use ceramic on Panny twice a year for protection. On 911 will only use good wax, not sure looks better/deeper but I like doing it several times/yr and becoming one with the car 
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,827
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From: Former Madison, Wisconsin. Now Southwest Georgia, America (not the country of Georgia in Eastern Europe and West Asia)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,211
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From: Southern California
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Joined: Jan 2021
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Actually, I only had him do my ceramic coating which came with a 5-year warranty (got it done on full exterior including glass and wheels). I was just talking to him about what he recommends for hand washing my car since this is the first time Ive gotten serious about doing it right. He was saying he doesnt recommend wax in general. He said I could wash with regular soap and if I want, I could do ceramic spray once in a while to help maintain the main ceramic coat for longer. His advice was free
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 375
From: Former Madison, Wisconsin. Now Southwest Georgia, America (not the country of Georgia in Eastern Europe and West Asia)
Hello. Even if hand washing is the norm, sometimes I can't resist a quick drive-through car wash, perhaps after a recent encounter with road salt or ocean spray salt, or just because I want the car to look better some afternoon and neither hand wash nor professional detailing is feasible.
So, assuming you are willing to consider this at least under special circumstances, is there a reason to prefer brushless over touchless? Would the upgraded or advanced versions that add some wax or sealer or give special attention to wheels or something be preferred or should they be avoided?
Thanks for your thoughts.
So, assuming you are willing to consider this at least under special circumstances, is there a reason to prefer brushless over touchless? Would the upgraded or advanced versions that add some wax or sealer or give special attention to wheels or something be preferred or should they be avoided?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Touchless is the least of evils. Brushless yet has some "cloth" brushing, read scratching, the finish.
Of course, I will never ever pass up a cheerleader fundraiser car wash!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 494
From: Southern California
Ive kept my Panamera out of the car wash. But if I had to do it, Id only do touchless. If you have ceramic coating done on your car (like I have), try to choose an option that wont spray wax on your car as wax disrupts ceramic coating.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 774
Likes: 121
From: Jersey Shore
The car wash place I go to has a conveyer belt that has raised rubber blocks that ride behind the tires pushing the car along. The tires are too wide to ride in a rail track. The place does a great job. I do the wheels myself as I had them powder coated and the barrels are deep. I installed Hawk ceramic brake pads to cut down on the dust. I also use a clay bar and Zaino's Grand Finale for the ultimate finish.
Track Day
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 24
Likes: 4
The car wash place I go to has a conveyer belt that has raised rubber blocks that ride behind the tires pushing the car along. The tires are too wide to ride in a rail track. The place does a great job. I do the wheels myself as I had them powder coated and the barrels are deep. I installed Hawk ceramic brake pads to cut down on the dust. I also use a clay bar and Zaino's Grand Finale for the ultimate finish.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 352
Likes: 158
The car wash place I go to has a conveyer belt that has raised rubber blocks that ride behind the tires pushing the car along. The tires are too wide to ride in a rail track. The place does a great job. I do the wheels myself as I had them powder coated and the barrels are deep. I installed Hawk ceramic brake pads to cut down on the dust. I also use a clay bar and Zaino's Grand Finale for the ultimate finish.
Advanced
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 96
Likes: 23
Clay bar must always be followed up with a polish. Though the clear coat may feel like glass after the clay, it causes micro marring which you need to buff out. After the polish, top off with your favorite coating. Clay bar should be done at most once a year. Every time you polish, you are taking off a little bit of the clear coat.
Advanced
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 96
Likes: 23
Actually, I only had him do my ceramic coating which came with a 5-year warranty (got it done on full exterior including glass and wheels). I was just talking to him about what he recommends for hand washing my car since this is the first time Ive gotten serious about doing it right. He was saying he doesnt recommend wax in general. He said I could wash with regular soap and if I want, I could do ceramic spray once in a while to help maintain the main ceramic coat for longer. His advice was free
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 8
What I ended up doing this past winter when it got nasty from the road salt was just using a pressure washer to get most of it off. I got it ceramic coated a few months ago, so now just hand wash with the same manufacturer's products to keep up the ceramic. The best thing I did was bought a 4x4 F-150 to drive in crappy weather. The Panamera will sit in the garage.