Calling all AMB Color Owners: To Auto Car Wash or To Not Auto Car Wash

[WalterMitty]

I have a 2023 AMB Tremor (v8 of course, thank you for asking), that is coming up on its one year anniversary.

So far she’s never seen an automatic car wash (the kind with the spinning brushes). Or put another way, I’m the guy with a great looking truck that is usually dirty.

I don’t have the time, or inclination to hand wash her very frequently. It’s not just lethargy, it’s also cold here a lot. Given this, I take her to the touchless car wash bays, which do an “okay” job.

However, my first wife has a membership to the local chain of Gas & Washes, so she takes her SUV in about once a week, or at least 3 times a month. So her ride is always looking great. Her SUV is silver, and I think metallic, but I don’t notice any swirl marks…..I only notice a great looking clean ride. I’m jealous.

So have any of my AMB brethren frequented these spinning brushes of doom? If so, whats your finish looking like? Still happy with the way things look? Any regrets?

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[Fordphanatic]

Don't do it!!! You will regret it. It will swirl the FFF out of your beautiful paint.

 

[spireland]

Lighter the color, harder it is to see swirls. Other than white, silver is one of the hardest colors to see swirls on. Dark colors like AMB or black are swirl magnets.

If you like clean, the way to do it easily is put a ceramic coating on it. Takes a weekend to do, and it will make the car/truck super hydrophobic so you can just take a pressure washer and dirt melts off of it. You can also use a less permanent coating like a high quality ceramic wax, they even come in sprays. Put a couple of coats on every few months and dirt will have a hard time sticking.

If you don't care, swirl installation machines are okay. Most people don't care. I like to treat the second most expensive thing I own well.

 

[Buyer2021]

Lighter the color, harder it is to see swirls. Other than white, silver is one of the hardest colors to see swirls on. Dark colors like AMB or black are swirl magnets.

True, ^this^, IMO / IME.

 

[Fordphanatic]

Lighter the color, harder it is to see swirls. Other than white, silver is one of the hardest colors to see swirls on. Dark colors like AMB or black are swirl magnets.

If you like clean, the way to do it easily is put a ceramic coating on it. Takes a weekend to do, and it will make the car/truck super hydrophobic so you can just take a pressure washer and dirt melts off of it. You can also use a less permanent coating like a high quality ceramic wax, they even come in sprays. Put a couple of coats on every few months and dirt will have a hard time sticking.

If you don't care, swirl installation machines are okay. Most people don't care. I like to treat the second most expensive thing I own well.

Nothing like a good quality ceramic coating. I had mine professionally installed. It wasn't cheap but neither was my truck. So much easier and faster to wash now.

 

[WalterMitty]

Ugh….I know you guys are right. New trucks are great….but old trucks come with less hassle.

A buddy of mine has an F250 Tremor in Blue Jeans….awesome color, and I think I like it more than AMB…..and it’s also metallic. He takes his through auto brushy car washes all the time and I can’t see swirl marks in his paint.

But yet, I still have reservations.

 

[jhelrey]

The previous owner had the truck detailed before I took possession of it. Not a mark! Also AMB.

I use a touch car wash. Touchless around me just doesn't get the vehicle all that clean. And honestly, it's a vehicle. It's going to get scratched, dented, etc. I have swirl marks, rock chips, door dings, etc. It sucks, but it is the way it is.

With that said, this was my first and last dark colored vehicle for numerous reasons.

 

[My 2ND Ford]

I have a 21 AMB platinum and it sees an automatic brush type wash at least a few times a year, mostly in the winter. The finish doesn't look bad after 2 winters, but then I'm not as picky as some people.

 

[dmeyer302]

Here's my routine. In my opinion it's a good compromise between a quality hand wash and a quick car wash.

This is all using the hand bay at the car wash. I usually try to go during off peak hours so the attendant doesn't fuss at me for hand washing in the bay. (I'm not...really)

• Wet down with soap spray
• Rub down with my car wash mitt from home (I throw it in the laundry between uses)
• Spray wax
• Spot free rinse

 

[Davidwnuc]

hand wash only here. not just my AMB truck either.
the micro swirls are visible over time on any color. you just don’t notice until they have gotten bad.
diy ceramic coatings aren’t difficult. you could even use the spray ones from any auto parts store. It does make a difference.

 

[Heavishot]

If you get a ceramic coating it will help reduce swirl marks from the car wash. Not 100% protection but it helps.

 

[mwf5888]

@WalterMitty I have had mine since May 2021 and go through every few weeks. Here is 7 weeks ago.

 

[WalterMitty]

Here's my routine. In my opinion it's a good compromise between a quality hand wash and a quick car wash.

This is all using the hand bay at the car wash. I usually try to go during off peak hours so the attendant doesn't fuss at me for hand washing in the bay. (I'm not...really)

• Wet down with soap spray
• Rub down with my car wash mitt from home (I throw it in the laundry between uses)
• Spray wax
• Spot free rinse

That might be a good move….I might give that one a try tomorrow.

Out of curiosity what mitt do you use?

 

[WalterMitty]

@WalterMitty I have had mine since May 2021 and go through every few weeks. Here is 7 weeks ago.

She’s looking sharp.

 

[dmeyer302]

Out of curiosity what mitt do you use?

I don't remember where I got my favorite one but it's similar to this. I think mine is all synthetic so I'm not sure if the natural type is good for laundry.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079GSBDB2/

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