Dealership Washing and Cleaning techniques

[FrEsHnClean]

Did a search on washing your car from the "Dealership" only found this thread... http://www.detailcity.org/forums/de...ash-dealership.html?highlight=dealership+wash


But didn't have what I was looking for since, I have specific questions about the dealership around me that washes their customers cars....


Okay, I had the opportunity to see first hand how a dealership washes their cars the other day and had a few concerns on whether it was the proper way/safe way to clean/wash a vehicle...

1. Before even spraying any kind of water on the vehicle, they said that they first spray "Degreaser" all around on the painted surfaces of the car.

2. They then spray "ACID" on the wheels to break away and clean brake dust that has formed/built up on the wheels. I was told by one of the guys that this can peel/take off paint but washed off is ok.

They then spray with a high pressure washer to wash all this off...Then a mitten with soap to wash the car And of course last but not least, after they washed the car I noticed that they include the "Dealership special" complimentary scratches and swirls all over the paint of the car....

My question is......Is this a safe way/proper way to wash a vehicle? I mean I know they have to wash many vehicles a day and are on time constraints but just wanted to know if their method of washing was okay/safe for the paint....btw..I NEVER let the dealership touch my car..

Thanks.

 

[CharlesW]

Did a search on washing your car from the "Dealership" only found this thread... http://www.detailcity.org/forums/de...ash-dealership.html?highlight=dealership+wash


But didn't have what I was looking for since, I have specific questions about the dealership around me that washes their customers cars....


Okay, I had the opportunity to see first hand how a dealership washes their cars the other day and had a few concerns on whether it was the proper way/safe way to clean/wash a vehicle...

1. Before even spraying any kind of water on the vehicle, they said that they first spray "Degreaser" all around on the painted surfaces of the car.

2. They then spray "ACID" on the wheels to break away and clean brake dust that has formed/built up on the wheels. I was told by one of the guys that this can peel/take off paint but washed off is ok.

They then spray with a high pressure washer to wash all this off...Then a mitten with soap to wash the car And of course last but not least, after they washed the car I noticed that they include the "Dealership special" complimentary scratches and swirls all over the paint of the car....

My question is......Is this a safe way/proper way to wash a vehicle? I mean I know they have to wash many vehicles a day and are on time constraints but just wanted to know if their method of washing was okay/safe for the paint....btw..I NEVER let the dealership touch my car..

Thanks.

IMO, No.

 

[Beemerboy]

I've been on quite a few dealerships to see how they wash and detail...they are all a bit different IMO

Most all had pressure washers, with soap dispensers on them so they could spray on rinse off.


The local MB dealer has a tunnel wash they use for the bulk of the cars..not that great...one other up here washes a lot by hand..so I don't think there is anyone that is the same as the other.

One weekend while on a BMW lot...I was watching two guys wash the cars on the lot...one guy was spraying the cars down with high pressure then other was dragging a chamois over the top catching the water...you could see the marring on the cars

bottom line..is I never let the dealership wash my cars..no matter what...they do not practice safe washing measures IMO

 

[Big Leegr]

Most dealerships (and car rental places, fleet washes, etc.) are set for "get it in, get it out." They work on quantity, not quality. If they did the type of wash and wax some people here do, they'd be backed up for years after the first week. For many people, clean is lack of dirt. If there are scratches, oh well.

So, like CharlesW said, probably not the safest methods, but they'll do for most people.

 

[FrEsHnClean]

Well, I just wanted to specifically know will it do any harm to the paint if you put degresser on it? Is it okay to do that to wash the car?
Also on wheels with brake dust, is putting acid to clean them acceptable I mean is it safe or okay on the wheels?

Obviously it's not the best way to wash a car and yall are absolutely right about the dealership about wanting to get in and out more of wanting quantity vs. quality...

btw...this particular dealership washes by hand after previously washing from a machine and getting lots of complaints from damages to vehicles. (over heard this a while back from a service advisor)

The thing is alot of people know not to use "machine" or "brush" type car washes on their cars that's why gas station's advertise "Touchless" and they even came with a story in the news about it long ago that Brush type Machine car washes are not good and scratch your car

 

[CharlesW]

Well, I just wanted to specifically know will it do any harm to the paint if you put degresser on it? Is it okay to do that to wash the car?

Most degreasers will remove at least some if not all of your wax. Repeated use of a harsh chemical can't be a good thing for your paint.
Put the two together and my thinking is no, it is not okay to do that to wash the car.

Also on wheels with brake dust, is putting acid to clean them acceptable I mean is it safe or okay on the wheels?

Back to the harsh chemicals thing. I don't use any acid cleaners on my wheels and they still look new after 8+ years. To me, that's a pretty good indication that acid cleaners are not necessary. A one time cleanup might not cause any permanent damage, but repeated applications certainly don't sound like a good idea.

Obviously it's not the best way to wash a car and yall are absolutely right about the dealership about wanting to get in and out more of wanting quantity vs. quality...

It's their choice to do it that way. It's your choice as to whether or not they do it to your vehicle.

btw...this particular dealership washes by hand after previously washing from a machine and getting lots of complaints from damages to vehicles. (over heard this a while back from a service advisor)

That should give you some idea as to the customer reaction to their process. While they may have improved their technique, it still leaves a lot to be desired.

The thing is alot of people know not to use "machine" or "brush" type car washes on their cars that's why gas station's advertise "Touchless" and they even came with a story in the news about it long ago that Brush type Machine car washes are not good and scratch your car

People like cheap and easy. That does not usually equate to good.

I think you already have a pretty good idea that this dealership has a less than ideal wash process.
You aren't likely to change their thoughts so just avoid it. Problem solved.

 

[Larry A]

My son was at a dealer and they washed his car . No scratches, but a lot of water spots . They didnt wipe anything off.We had to rewash when we got home.

 

[FrEsHnClean]

CharlesW, Thanks for answering my question, that is EXACTLY what I wanted to hear....
I knew that those harsh chemicals cant be good for the paint....

btw...there are only two dealership that i've seen that knows how to actually wash a car around my area and that is a BMW dealership and a Sewell dealership, which they sell Infiniti's, hummers, saab's, etc. and a friend of mine took his Infiniti in for service and they washed it without scratching the paint and the car was actually clean. Suposedley they also have a "Real detailer" that works for them and does there cars also....

Thanks for your input guys appreciate it!