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      04-06-2014, 10:43 AM   #1
PhilT3
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Singapore Gray + auto car wash

Who here uses their Sing Gray M5 as a daily and uses Auto car wash?

How is it holding up in terms if swirls and scratches?

Don't flame me on the use of car washes. I lease my daily driver cars and don't have the time to hand wash. And I like to keep my cars clean all the time as I do transport clients and colleagues.
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      04-06-2014, 11:26 AM   #2
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i use a car wash
but they wash by hand and use microfiber towels to dry

i did have the car opti coated when it was new though

i am too lazy to wash myself, my daughter loves to go to car washes with me
daddy time is great
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      04-06-2014, 11:31 AM   #3
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Thanks cassidysdad. I don't have one around me that washes by hand.
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      04-06-2014, 11:36 AM   #4
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It really depends on the Auto Car Wash. Some machines are old and the management don't change the brushes very often which lead to harder brushes and that's what can scratch or leave swirl marks in the paint. In general Auto Washes are bad, but if they are brushless then they are fine. I got bad swirl marks on some of the cars I used to own. I'll never do it again, but that's just me.
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      04-06-2014, 12:22 PM   #5
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Never will use a Car wash anytime.
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      04-06-2014, 12:53 PM   #6
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Lol... I knew I would hear about the car washes.... Lol

I don't use car washes on my 'toys'. They only get hand washes with Adams products.

But the M5 will be my daily. It will go back to BMW in 3 years... But in the meantime I want to and need to keep it clean. And my schedule does not allow me to hand wash. So, hence the car washes.
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      04-06-2014, 02:39 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cassidysdad View Post
i use a car wash
but they wash by hand and use microfiber towels to dry

i did have the car opti coated when it was new though

i am too lazy to wash myself, my daughter loves to go to car washes with me
daddy time is great
Exactly! We are spoiled in the LA area, there are Hand Washes everywhere !! My 2 year old likes going to the wash in "Daddy's Blue Car". Handy J is the Best !
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      04-06-2014, 03:28 PM   #8
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Hand washes aren't practical for everyone. When you need to go to a car wash, there are some you should avoid like gas station car washes. They are guaranteed to put swirls on your car. Should also try to avoid car washes that use brushes. So that means looking for an automatic brushless/touchless car wash.

Look for the best touchless car wash in your area. Pay attention to how they work on the car after the wash.

Every six months you could have your car detailed to correct anything visible on the paint.
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      04-06-2014, 06:09 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by avlnch View Post
Hand washes aren't practical for everyone. When you need to go to a car wash, there are some you should avoid like gas station car washes. They are guaranteed to put swirls on your car. Should also try to avoid car washes that use brushes. So that means looking for an automatic brushless/touchless car wash.

Look for the best touchless car wash in your area. Pay attention to how they work on the car after the wash.

Every six months you could have your car detailed to correct anything visible on the paint.
EXACTLY. The challenge is there is not many touch-less in my area. And the one SUCKS!
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      04-06-2014, 06:27 PM   #10
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I would think you would have better luck with another color. SG is dark and more likely to show the inevitable swirls from a car wash.
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      04-06-2014, 09:30 PM   #11
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I think you should go with either Silverstone or Space Grey.

Singapore Grey will look awful after a few auto washes.

Space Grey I think is a more sporty color than Singapore too. Have a look at spinny's car. Looks superb.
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      04-06-2014, 09:48 PM   #12
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Only hand wash SG.. I wouldn't bring my car to a car wash because of how they dry the car when it's done ( old dirty towels )
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      04-06-2014, 09:59 PM   #13
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Thanks guys! I battle with this decision. The darker colors look great but the certain swirls, etc... Steer me away.

The bigger issue is my wife is voting for the Singapore. And while it will be my car, I do like her to like whatever I get.
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      04-06-2014, 11:02 PM   #14
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i love my car color
in los angeles there are so many alpine white, blacks ,and space gray M5s
so i wanted something different
and my wife likes it...for what it is worth
she has a 2013 X5 in space gray, and we always see them on the road
blah blah blah ...."look honey, another one!" " a 3.5d too"
it really looks different in varied lighting
the other option is to bring your own micro fiber towels and have them use them
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      04-06-2014, 11:09 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cassidysdad View Post
i love my car color
in los angeles there are so many alpine white, blacks ,and space gray M5s
so i wanted something different
and my wife likes it...for what it is worth
she has a 2013 X5 in space gray, and we always see them on the road
blah blah blah ...."look honey, another one!" " a 3.5d too"
it really looks different in varied lighting
the other option is to bring your own micro fiber towels and have them use them
And....... What color might that be?
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      04-06-2014, 11:10 PM   #16
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if i had no time and will always use carwash,
either get a good hand wash and professional car wash..

or basically i rather wrap the car or most likely clear bra the whole car…
3M venture shield's good to go!

i had it cover front end of my benz and its just so good knowing that its protected without worrying any swirls or scratches.
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      04-06-2014, 11:31 PM   #17
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have you consider hiring a mobile detailer/hand washer that can wash/clean your car maybe once a week or two? they can do it while you are in your office or whenever you don't need to drive the car. this option comes pretty handy for ones that do not have time to properly hand wash their cars.
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      04-07-2014, 12:08 AM   #18
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i feel your pain - i went back and forth between Singapore Grey and BSM for months, then i placed my order back in November, decision's made, done...you would think...nope. even in the final weeks/days before my car was built I was still going back and forth...

they both look awesome on this car... trust your gut and pick one...in 36 or so months you give it back and get another. your wife likes SG and you've got some heart for it so do it. in the end, i went with what i wanted and the color i knew i'd be happy with for multiple months/years...

i take delivery in 10 days - i'll post some pic's hopefully that might help you decide.
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      04-07-2014, 01:59 AM   #19
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@M5KRZI You won't be disappointed with BSM, Black Merino w/Anthracite, CP, 601s. Got your config plus CCB and DAP. Awesome.

Mine is a daily driver. Hand wash is quick. Car wash is tempting though.
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      04-07-2014, 07:57 AM   #20
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I am in roughly the same position except washing myself is not an option (downtown condo parking garage) so I purposely went with AW as it doesn't show dirt and swirls nearly as bad as the Carbon black of the 550msport I had before. I would be careful with drive through car washes if I were you as I had some trouble with the 550 lightly catching a rail or something on the bottom of the front bumper and side sill. I have never taken my m5 through a drive through for this reason. I found a few places that will do hand wash (most offer this but you may have to ask) which is still not great but butter than drive through IMHO. I also plan on having it detailed every 6 months or so. The detailer recommended a mobile service as well (as suggested above) but trying to get on the same page as him schedule wise is sometimes a pita
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      04-07-2014, 08:32 AM   #21
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I wash my own and use plenty of suds good mits and a really good soft micro Towel. I do it myself that way I get it cleaned the way I want
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      04-07-2014, 08:52 AM   #22
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Just find a reputable detailer in your area and have it washed weekly at home or at work.

As others have said SG is up there with Black as a no no for anything but the most careful wash processes.
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