I'm about 3 weeks away from taking delivery of my new jet black '08 328i and I'm wondering what process the dealer will be going through to clean her up once they receive it. Since its black, I'm over-cautious about getting swirl marks or some other forms of streaks on the paintjob

I know the dealers are supposed to know what they're doing, but does anyone know what the dealer uses to wash the car?

Just picked mine up Friday and it was waxed and nice and clean.

Unfortunately, snow was melting from the sides of the street onto the street so it was dirty when I got home. I was able to wipe in clean with a wet 100% cotton towel.

If you really care for your paint, don't let the dealer wash your car. Just pick up the car unwash. When you get back home, just do clay, polish, and wax/seleant. Try to pick up a Jet Black 335i couple last weekend from BMW of Mountain View in CA, there were swirl mark all over the car. There were so much on the car you won't even belive it. I just walk away.

thats what I was afraid of. What is the best wash mit to use to prevent swirl marks?

thats what I was afraid of. What is the best wash mit to use to prevent swirl marks?


Car care online (carcareonline.com) has good products and advice on cleaning. They have 100% cotton mitts and sponges as well as other products. Must use the right shampoo as well. Same cleaning agents will strip the wax so be careful

thats what I was afraid of. What is the best wash mit to use to prevent swirl marks?

Good washmit, I like the microfiber ones, use two buckets, wash side to side, etc. Here's a good link to car detailing:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145

Enjoy your new ride!

Awesome link!

thanks

Go to autopia.com for proper washing tech.. 100% wool washmit will be good. You can pick some up from Kragen auto. Most of the swirl mark come from drying the car. Use good microfiber towel. Again, autopia.com detail forum is a good start. To have a good start, you still must "clay", "polish", then "wax/seleant". After that, just use good wash techniqe, you have good to good. My '06 carrerra 997 have 17k miles on and don't have any swirl mark. Also, Griots Garage has some very good products as well.

wash with quality mitt, good soap. I do quick run to 80mph to blow majority off, the rest will be hand dried with big MF towel.

I can't believe no one even brought up Auto Geek (http://autogeek.net) considering they are the ones sponsering this forum.

Back on the subject though, it really varies from dealer to dealer. Some dealerships have an incredible setup and can do a fantastic job washing cars, though these are very rare, and almost unheard of 99% of the time, so with that in mind, if they wash your car, expect them to be using brushes that haven't been cleaned in weeks, hosing down with reclaimed water, and drying with dirty shammies.