kitlz

Hose can't freeze if it's inside when not in use

tfischer

Dealers often hand-wash cars, and dealers without a drive-through machine always have to wash new cars that are being delivered. The problem with the dealer's hand-wash is that it's usually done by the lowest paid kid on the lot who uses old rags, dirty water and gritty towels. There are many notes over at Autopia from the experts who, when buying a new car, instruct the salesmen in the strongest terms that they want to pick up the car with the transport plastic still on it - they want nothing done to the paint other than what they do themselves so they know what's on there and that it was done right.
So if you want it done right . . .

SW17LS

I saw a dealer wash guy washing a car one time wit a big wide push floor broom like you see in a barber shop. No joke.

tfischer

"big wide push floor broom"
Not elegant, but certainly fast.

elba123

I asked the SA and he said they do not do hand washes. He would not guarantee me that it would come out micro-scratch free after their machine wash. Then I asked him if it was the same machine they used when I first took delivery of the car when it was new. When he answered in the affirmative, I took a chance and told him to go ahead with the car wash. I could not detect any scratches or swirls after the wash.

I do agree that detailing after the wash is lousy. Rear view mirror had streaks, windscreen had dirt and I had to send it back again for fixing after which it came back with water sticking in places on the windscreen. The $10 guys would have done it better. Of course, nothing to beat DIY job.

ggebhardt

I have cared for my black 2013 LX for over a year and waxed it many times with no swirls. Just got to use the right pads on the buffer. No brushes at the car wash!

markrivers

I go a little bit further.
I ask my sales guy, in the strongest term to deliver the RX in boxes.
And i assemble it myself. Hey, thanks to my wife i got lots practice from IKEA.

dsinn

Yikes - this car washing stuff is crazy. There are definetly several camps on the "best" way.
Glad I got the nebula gray for my 2013 RX 450h versus Obsidian. I considered it but I know i have bad car washing habits so I went with the gray.
It would have never have occurred to me to worry about a hand wash shop dropping a towel and then picking it up and reusing it.
I am pretty lazy when it comes to car washing - I want someone else to do it because I know I procrastinate when it comes to getting it done.

So how does one pick a good detail shop?

I'll need to know becasue it is snowing here in Colorado so the streets and all cars will be a mess for the next several days.

Rxhopeful

I have had my '13 Rx now for about a year. Love the car, but I definitely see why I got warnings about the Obsidian. It looks awesome when washed and waxed, but I can definitely see scratches in the paint. Is it possible to get the scratches out? If so, does anyone know of a place in the Dallas area that can do it? Thanks!

SW17LS

Certainly possible. I would check out www.scottwax.com

I've never met Scott personally but I know him through various detailing forums and his work is excellent. If I lived around Dallas...he'd be who I would use. I'd let him do a full detail and then let him take over caring for it and it will stay in top shape.

cflutist

Wow, that is beautiful. How much time does it take you to do this?

doc307

I am reviving an older thread to say one that is a beautiful RX and two I just picked up a
2010 Obsidian knowing it will take time to keep clean. The dealer did swirl it a little when
they cleaned it up for us to take home but I got most of that out already.

lexus114

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Love it....