When I picked up my new A4 the dealer said not to take it to a car wash for six months. He said the paint needs time to cure before putting it through a wash. If anything, he said to take it to a brushless wash.

I'm in NY and the weather here has been kinda shitty with the snow and all and the car needs a cleaning. I've read about some gorror stories at "brushless hand washes." They use the same towels over and over which results in the trapped dirt leaving swirl marks.

Just want to get some opinions of what you guys are doing with your rides when it comes to washing. I'd do it mself, but its too friggin cold.

 

well im in so-cal...
and at a local shell, there is a car wash that is all pressurized, no brushes wat-so-ever...
and it does a good job...

 

i took mine thru a wash in NYC.. on queens blvd by the LIE.... no issues here

but the dealership picked up this car in Aug '08..(from what i can tell)

 

Why are you worried if the car wash .. washes the paint off or ruins it.. that is clearly under warranty. No cars paint should come off like that.

Ive been thru the pressure washes and its been okay for me.

 

I haven't heard that one in years!! Your paint is baked on and there is no "curing" time. That was a concern many, many years ago before clearcoats were the normal...and then there was not really much evidence of it being true back then.
Just avoid all automatic car washes that are not touchless and you should be fine. As far as the handwashing places, it really depends on the equipment, the training and whether or not the particular guys washing your car actually give a crap.
Good Luck!

 

If you're not too far there's a great brushless car wash in New Hyde Park, LI called 5 corners....it's on Hillside Ave....they have a really good detail center too.

 

he is right about the paint needing time to cure, in that time span you also cant have the car waxed or anything. ive worked at delta sonic for several year (there should be one in you general area since NY where the head office is) but we usually do achemical wash which get the dirt and a good amount of contaminients in the paint but leaves teh paint free to cure. thats pretty much your only option if you co through a tochless wash try one that dosent use soap which will damage the paint since theres nothing to protect it. if your worried about swirls dont have it wiped and get some microfiber towels to take care of it off site.

 

Hi I work at a body shop and its true about the cure but idk where they came up with that cure time its usually cured by a week tops and you could wax wash whatever i might not be getting the whole story because 6 months seems excessive

 

Thanks for the input. I thought 6 months sounded insane also.
The car was built 3 months ago, so I'm guessing its fine.

 

Also, I'm in White Plains NY, if anyone has a favorite car wash in lower westchester that does a quality job, let me know.