Went to local BP today to wash the car in the machine

First - looks nice and clean again and the windscreen beads the water which is nice

Last - there seems to be lots of very faint scratches on my car now.

So I guess I won't be using one of those again

Modern cars = soft water based paints = easily scratched.

Automatic car washes + soft water based paints = very easily scratched !!

Also avoid East European Hand Washes where they use the 'water blades' to wipe your car down after. They are just as bad.

Ever see it on Fifth Gear ?? Here's the link.........

Two,bucket method, good shampoo and wash mitts and dry off quick to stop spunk marks

Car washes are any cars worst enemy. The best swirl inducing thing ever.

As already said. Per-rinse with a pressure washer. Two bucket method (one with shampoo to wash and the other one with clear water to rinse your wash mitt) then rinse with an open hose and dry with a micro fibre drying towel.

This is a short method and I'm sure someone will add you need to use a pre wash such as Citrus Power and snow foam, then de-tar blah blah blah... but if you just want a clean car the method I have described will suffice

As above. A shampoo and rinse will give results with more satisfaction of doing it yourself and not inflicting as much damage as drive through car washes.

I opted for the Autoglym Lifeshine but I'm not sure what difference it makes?

I opted for the Autoglym Lifeshine but I'm not sure what difference it makes?

It makes a big difference to your wallet

Seriously, though, if your car is well-waxed & sealed early on (& kept topped-up), I don't think car washes are that bad.

I've bought the Lifeshine products cheaply off of a well-known auction site, ready to apply them myself to my new car, but I don't really think they're that much different to the retail options. The important thing is to apply something decent (stay out of car washes until you do).

It makes a big difference to your wallet

Seriously, though, if your car is well-waxed & sealed early on (& kept topped-up), I don't think car washes are that bad.

I've bought the Lifeshine products cheaply off of a well-known auction site, ready to apply them myself to my new car, but I don't really think they're that much different to the retail options. The important thing is to apply something decent (stay out of car washes until you do).

Even with the wax etc, keep away from car washes. They do nothing but put scratches into the paint.

Life shine in itself is a good product, but the poor valet ear at the dealers gets 20 minutes to apply and finish it, when in fact the product more than likely needs to cure for an hour or two before being removed (may have to be corrected on the correct curing time for it)

Even with the wax etc, keep away from car washes. They do nothing but put scratches into the paint.

Life shine in itself is a good product, but the poor valet ear at the dealers gets 20 minutes to apply and finish it, when in fact the product more than likely needs to cure for an hour or two before being removed (may have to be corrected on the correct curing time for it)

As above, Life Shine can be a great product 'applied correctly'. Many dealerships give the car a degrease to remove the protecting delivery wax and sticker residue, and wash the car, dry it and apply the product. If the prep isn't done correctly as in this case the product will degrade rapidly. The product needs to a bond to the car so a good polish to remove any imperfections and a good wipe with panel wipe to remove any residues will allow the product to bond properly and so get the maximum life out of the product.

Car washes can still do a lot of harm to your car with or without a wax or sealant over time.

Life shine in itself is a good product, but the poor valet ear at the dealers gets 20 minutes to apply and finish it, when in fact the product more than likely needs to cure for an hour or two before being removed (may have to be corrected on the correct curing time for it)

Nope, I have the AG LifeShine instructions in front of me - for the Bodywork Gloss Shield:

"......When entire vehicle has been coated, immediately buff to a high shine......"

You do need, of course, to take into account that this is only part of the treatment - there is also an 'Interior Protectant' and a 'Glass Guard' to apply as well. But then I guess you were using poetic licence when you said "20 minutes"

I suppose you have to balance the 'expert's' level of experience with your, as the new owner, drive and enthusiasm. Answers on a postcard to which you think is best - answers may vary widely

Edited 16 March, 201313 yr by Skoda Al Coda

You do need, of course, to take into account that this is only part of the treatment - there is also an 'Interior Protectant' and a 'Glass Guard' to apply as well. But then I guess you were using poetic licence when you said "20 minutes"

Poetic license indeed.. Lol

The main problem is that the poor old valeters don't have time to prepare the car properly first. Before a product such as Lifeshine is used the cars paint needs to be as clean and contaminant free as possible, meaning in reality that it needs to be fully de-contaminated as in de-tarred, any fallout removed (brake dust, transit soil, bonded metal contaminants etc etc) before this product will bond to the paints surface properly.

Preparation for using such products can be a minimum of 1-2 hours if you're really OCD about it.

My wife was impressed by the little red bag that we were given when we got the car. She said all those Auto Glym products will keep me (not her) busy for a few hours a week on her car?