Coin Operated Carwash for a quick rinse?
I pass by a coin operated car wash every day. I have used this carwash on other cars that were not as pristine as my slightly used 2007 XF coupe. I use the rinse and spot free modes ONLY just to knock of any road salt and dirt occasionally between detailings. I let the car air dry as I complete my commute so no rubbing in case there is any residual dirt or grit. I am wondering if using this quick rinse / air dry will cause any swirl marks from the high pressure spray rinse. Any opinions will be appreciated.

Temporary fix for hated curb rash:
I found a pretty good temporary touch up method for curb rash on my wheels. I purchased my XF used with 14K miles and had minor curb rash on two wheels. I was planning to have these fixed by a wheel restoration service but meanwhile I tried some touch up paint. Big improvement. The rash is hardly noticeable. I used good old Rustoleum aluminum paint applied with a small one inch wide foam brush. The paint was a very good match for the stock wheels. I no longer cringe when I look at my wheels. It is not as good as a pro. wheel restoration but it is a huge improvement.

 

I've never heard of a wash-sprayer making swirls unless it's not clean water or way to powerful or to close to the paint, try to maintain aleast 12-18 inches from paint ! Usually swirls are caused from drying or buffing. Always use a clean soft towel micro fiber are best for drying. But soft water will help.

 

I do the same thing with all of my vehicles. Just like Dan says, just don't hold it too close. I usually don't even use their soap mode as I think it's too strong. I once saw a guy blow one of his factory decals off by holding the wand too close. Any salt you can rinse off or dilute is a good thing.

 

Spray away, you'll be fine. I wouldn't be surprised if the soap in those places is strong enough to strip wax, but if all you're using is the rinse/spot free rinse then I'd have zero concerns about doing so to my car.

 

I had a bottle of Testors Silver Model Paint that I used to touch up a bit of curb rash on one of my OEM wheels. The reason I used that over what you used is its thicker. Two coats and it pretty much filled in the cuts in the wheel. The color is also a perfect match.
Pat

 

that soap is way watered down, it only takes around 1.5 percent actives to get a decent amount of foam.

 

Yes, but what exactly is the soap made of? I can get a lot of foam from certain all purpose cleaners too, but they'll take wax off. It isn't the foam, it's the chemical makeup of the cleaners/solvents.

 

it's the same soap you wash your hair and *** with, sodium lauryl sulfate, for the most part, for the main wash soap, I don't know about the tire cleaner and other stuff. soap makers that make out-of-spec products that are either to dark for customer reqs., not enough actives, or a hundred other things sell off the off-grade products to people who just cut the off-grade very heavily with water and then they put it in drums or totes and sell it to car washes. the purest soap you are going to get from a car wash is from the foam brush, but if you use that then you don't care about scratching the paint.

 

i use the .25 car washes on a regular basis... love them b/c you can clean the wheel wells and underside easily.

it's all about good pressure and hot/warm water... a must have for quality end results.

 

I agree! I use our local $.25 carwash about twice a week and it does a great job for about 5 bucks.