Laser Wash (touchless) and then hand dry with microfiber. Clean the wheels when I get back home. You need to scrub the brake dust off, or at least agitate it some, which ultimately agitates me.

 

I haven't had problems with my fast key after taking the car to a touchless car wash. But as it was said above, they do use some harsh chemicals and I always end up with some sort of residue on my car afterwards.
I also like to take the car to one of those do it yourself car wash places. I just make sure to spray down the soapy scrub brush with the powerwasher and powerwash the whole car very well before scrubbing on it.

 

Scrubbing at the wheels are the least fav. part of hand-washing mine too - simply dread it everytime but I'm stubborn to part with the MR rims.

 

As the bulk of paint damage is generated during the washing/drying process, you guys may want to review the relevant tutorials:

http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...ces-newbs.html

 

The polishedbliss website is by far the best out of that list, i'm learning so much. Don't wan't to wash my pretty new Blue X the same way I washed my nasty *** 01 Taurus.

 

If you got some extra cash, have this guy wash your car:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkmZv...eature=related

 

let her be dirty haha

 

haha na use some good soap and a cali blade to get most of the water off and then a micro fiber towl then use a nice detailing spray and micro fiber it again and do it every other day that seems to work the best for me i have friends that work at a porshe and lambo shop and brings me the best soap and this detaling spray called so icy nice stuff try that and i think you'll like it

 

That's Paul Dalton. It's how most folks who understand paint maintenance wash their cars, depending on the level of contamination. I'm not joking. Look though the link I posted earlier.

 

I wash my car... and never let anyone at a carwash touch my car.

 

Oh yeah never take it a carwash very bad for cars do it yourself homes

 

for those of youthat hate to do wheels, The sonax wheel cleaner is almost like magic. it gets about 98% of the crap off. you spray it on, it turns a different color when ready to wash off. best i have found. like we say in the army, work smart not hard....lol