So went thru a car wash

And once done I noticed these small rings the size of a nickel on my hood that can't come off with a towel and some water. Any thought??
Also, do you guys get any of those coats/sealants etc??

Sounds like water spot etching.

You went thru a cloth one??? Dang... I only do touchless...

Give Meguire's scratch remoiver a try. Maybe a clay bar first. Then re wax the area.

Use about one half cup vinegar in a two gallon bucket. I use a wool mitt to wash. The vinegar will dissolve the lime in the hard water spots. I also add about a half cup of windex. I do a small section at a time and dry it with a clean cotton towel right away (cut off the seams on the towel though or it will scratch).

Originally Posted by 5fix

Use about one half cup vinegar in a two gallon bucket. I use a wool mitt to wash. The vinegar will dissolve the lime in the hard water spots. I also add about a half cup of windex. I do a small section at a time and dry it with a clean cotton towel right away (cut off the seams on the towel though or it will scratch).

As long as the paint is cool, you can let it dwell for a few mins. I have never been able to remove water spot etching with vinegar. It all depends on how fresh the water spot etching is.

Originally Posted by gmblack3

As long as the paint is cool, you can let it dwell for a few mins. I have never been able to remove water spot etching with vinegar. It all depends on how fresh the water spot etching is.

Vinegar also has never worked for me. Clay and machine polish. Finish Kare 3 step also did a nice job of deep cleaning the paint.

A clay bar is excellent. You might also want to try Zymol Cleaner Wax, applied in a cool dark place, and then a quick hand buff with a microfiber polishing cloth.

Mothers clay bar all the way...works wonders! And only touchless washes!

Aren't the high pressure washers used in touchless washers bad for the car?

Originally Posted by Baquir

Aren't the high pressure washers used in touchless washers bad for the car?

I never heard that before...been using high pressure on all of my vehicles and haven't had any bad results.

Originally Posted by Baquir

Aren't the high pressure washers used in touchless washers bad for the car?

The soaps used in touchless are very strong, will wear out a wax in no time.

Sent from my PG86100 using Bimmer App

Honestly, many of these recommendations I find to be overboard.

A rule of thumb is to always use the LEAST abrasive/harsh product when touching your paint, that is needed for the task at hand (ex: washing, removing spots, removing scratches, etc.).

To me, Cleaner Wax is always the first thing I use to tackle about anything on my paint. Not as harsh as a scratch remover, much more beneficial than vinegar tactics, and will also protect your paint in one stroke.

Originally Posted by gmblack3

The soaps used in touchless are very strong, will wear out a wax in no time.

Sent from my PG86100 using Bimmer App

I never heard that before either but good to know...personally I usually hand wash but for a quick wash I'll do touchless with no problems. As long as you're consistent with waxing/clay bar every 4-6 months there shouldn't be any issues.

I own several car washes. I will tell you the brushes used are safe if your using a car wash that has newer machines. I would stay away from gas station washes. They tend to use harsher chemicals since they don't have enough "touches" to your car,or brushes. Also not a fan of the "touchless" washes for the same reason. They are using VERY strong chemicals to wash your car and not brushes. The longer the tunnel the better,,,, rule of thumb. Try to avoid high traffic days as they tend to speed up the brushes and conveyer speed to hurry more cars thru. I put my cars thru 2-3 times a week. No issues. I do wax however every 3-4 months

why not find a hand wash place. they seem to be popping up all around my area. many of the body shops are offering hand washes for relatively inexpensive prices. we have a chain around here that removed all the machines and replaced them with people, they hand wash your car each time. i use them all winter long.

BMW's and auto car washes don't mix. Secondly, you rubbed on your finish with a towel. Was it all cotton. Bet if you look at the area under light at night you will find micro scratches. Hand wash only with both the right mitt, lots of sudsy water and the proper mild wash. Check out carcareonline.com for some useful tips.

Not the first sob story we've heard hear from someone using an automated wash, and I am sure it won't be the last.

You got what you paid for.

Originally Posted by Chiropractor

I own several car washes. I will tell you the brushes used are safe if your using a car wash that has newer machines. I would stay away from gas station washes. They tend to use harsher chemicals since they don't have enough "touches" to your car,or brushes. Also not a fan of the "touchless" washes for the same reason. They are using VERY strong chemicals to wash your car and not brushes. The longer the tunnel the better,,,, rule of thumb. Try to avoid high traffic days as they tend to speed up the brushes and conveyer speed to hurry more cars thru. I put my cars thru 2-3 times a week. No issues. I do wax however every 3-4 months

I go through touchless once every two weeks or so and the car looks nice and clean after the drying phase (last time the "soap" ran out so it came out dirty). Are you saying the chemicals will do some damage to the paint long term?

Yogi
I see your in Ontario, man I don't know why these things are so popular north of the border. I go to Toronto 5-6 times a year and see the touch less washes all the time and they are always slammed. Long term I'm sure if you took a pic when you purchased your car and after 5-6 years you may see a subtle difference in shine with your car but honestly I can't say with absolute positivity. alot depends on the owners and the quality of the chemicals they use. As you can imagine their are tons of chemical manufacturers.
I think any wash is better than keeping the salt on your car in harsh winters ,,, and I would just make sure you have a nice wax applied before winter and after.

Also,, don't be the first car in the wash. If possible wait for another car to go ahead of you. If your not sure when it was used last,, hang out and wait for someone to use the wash first. Hope this helps

Originally Posted by Chiropractor

Yogi
I see your in Ontario, man I don't know why these things are so popular north of the border. I go to Toronto 5-6 times a year and see the touch less washes all the time and they are always slammed. Long term I'm sure if you took a pic when you purchased your car and after 5-6 years you may see a subtle difference in shine with your car but honestly I can't say with absolute positivity. alot depends on the owners and the quality of the chemicals they use. As you can imagine their are tons of chemical manufacturers.
I think any wash is better than keeping the salt on your car in harsh winters ,,, and I would just make sure you have a nice wax applied before winter and after.

There are a lot of multi-bay spray washes around here too. You go in, use a high pressure hose with options for soap, or just rinse, or a soaping brush, wax finish etc. You can control, how close you get to your car, so you can be more assured you take it easy on the paint. I use it in the winter or go to a hand wash, but by spring, I wash it myself once a week.

Originally Posted by Die Wolfe

Mothers clay bar all the way...works wonders! And only touchless washes!

Clay will not remove a scratch. Clay is only designed to remove embedded / stuck on contaminants.

Originally Posted by Chiropractor

I own several car washes. I will tell you the brushes used are safe if your using a car wash that has newer machines.

Somehow, the words brushes and car do not mix. I am sure your new car washes are very good, but the care which is needed when washing a car even by hand (two bucket, etc.) cannot be duplicated with brushes in an automated wash.

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Clay will not remove a scratch. Clay is only designed to remove embedded / stuck on contaminants.

Perhaps, but it makes me feel better after using it

Plus, the clay bar kit comes with an after wax or polish that appears to help with the scratches. At least I tell myself that..