Road trip car washing/detailing

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Road trip car washing/detailing it is NOT easy

#1 Patrick E61

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 03:18 PM

We are currently on a 6 country, 29 day, 3700km European road trip, and I have found that keeping my E61 clean is a serious PITA. I want to get it washed every day, and that is not even close to being possible.

I have some cleaning supplies with me (Big Orange, wash mitts, BMW wheel cleaner, tire dressing, some Mothers supplies, towels, and so on), but finding places to actually hand wash my car have been few and far between. Especially when I have been blowing past them on the Autobahn or Autostrade. "Oops, I guess that we missed that one."

Below are a few pics. The best wash that I have found so far was in Toscolano (Italy), at a Shell station near Gardone Riviera on Lago di Garda, which cost a paltry 6 Euros! The "wash responsible" guy actually spent 15 minutes power washing my car, including a considerable amount of time getting the wheels clean. In front of me, was a Sterling Grey E91 (320d Touring) with Swiss plates, and he gave that car a mere 5 minutes time with the K�rcher.

Anzafin may have a huge hepuli when he sees the non-brushless "convertible" car wash, but fear no evil! The last pic shows the results, and my E61 was amazingly clean... I have to find another Shell wash station tomorrow, before holding an unofficial, e60.net meet with ///Marco.it at his hang out in Jesolo, Italy. :lol:

If I get any more situational car washing pics on the trip, I will post my experiences here! Otherwise, my E61 will get the full, extreme treatment when we get back to Finland. :wink:

Pics:

1. xBMWx's E61 going in to a wash in M�nchen, with smoppett's E60 next in line
2. Post-wash drying before we head to Die Welt
3. "Wash Responsible" employing the gasoline powered K�rcher to pre-wash the E61
4. BRUSH wash, Italian style!
5. More of the same...
6. CLEAN!!

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2005 BMW 530d M-Sport Touring

#2 Anzafin

Designated driver of Flat Eric

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 03:29 PM

I'm speechless man, I'm speechless....

Just... can't.... understand....

The pics are beautiful! You must have been fun down there!

However, I still can't forgive you that wash

...

530D- Sapphire Black -

Mods:Body: M-Tech kit / ACS style roof spoiler / Hamann style front splitter / Trunk finisher / Shadowline trim / Black grille Suspension: KW Street Comfort coilovers
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Wheels&tires (W):Style 135 8x18 ET20 + spacers + 245/40 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 Others: iPod interface / AUX-input / Sprintbooster / Swirl flaps removed / M Shift knob / M Pedal set / Quad exhaust

#3 craigm1841

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 03:39 PM

Patrick E61, on Jun 21 2009, 04:18 PM, said:

2008 535i Premium Sport - Blk/Blk

The Situation said:

I'm like chill out Freckles McGee

#4 Anzafin

Designated driver of Flat Eric

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 03:43 PM

craigm1841, on Jun 21 2009, 11:39 PM, said:

Exactly...
Patrick, when we meet I'm going to show you some SWIRLS! :lol:

#5 Patrick E61

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 03:56 PM

Anzafin, on Jun 21 2009, 11:29 PM, said:

I'm speechless man, I'm speechless....

Just... can't.... understand....

The pics are beautiful! You must have been fun down there!

However, I still can't forgive you that wash

...

Greetings from Venizia!

We are having a fine time down here. And the E61 is performing flawlessly, no matter what we throw at it - 2700m passes, or 250km/h road rage on the flats. I love this car.

The weather (rain, then sun, bugs, bird crap, rain, droppings from trees that we don't even have in Finland, rain, more intense sun) has made it impossible to even keep the windshield clean.

And in my defense about the "brush-wash", those brushes were actually very clean, and they barely touched the car. The power wash cleaned everything, and Wash Responsible even cleaned under the car.

The next time that I see a DIY car wash, we are stopping there. I will buy the wife some wine and cheese, and the child some food so that they have something to do for an hour while I clean the E61! :lol:

Below, from earlier today...

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2005 BMW 530d M-Sport Touring

#6 Patrick E61

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 03:58 PM

Anzafin, on Jun 21 2009, 11:43 PM, said:

Exactly...
Patrick, when we meet I'm going to show you some SWIRLS! :lol:

I have SWIRLS, no doubt about it! So far, we have one new scratch, a ding and a significant rock chip.

It is painful...

2005 BMW 530d M-Sport Touring

#7 Anzafin

Designated driver of Flat Eric

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 04:01 PM

Patrick E61, on Jun 21 2009, 11:56 PM, said:

Greetings from Venizia!

Below, from earlier today...

Did get on the track? :lol:

#8 CWS530

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 04:30 PM

Looks like a fun road trip. Have you hit a lot of bugs yet? Man, I hate that.

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#9 Patrick E61

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 04:32 PM

Anzafin, on Jun 22 2009, 12:01 AM, said:

Did get on the track? :lol:

LOL. Nope. Closed even for testing on Sundays.

However, it was a thrill to just walk around the village and see random Ferraris and Lamborghinis everywhere!

2005 BMW 530d M-Sport Touring

#10 Patrick E61

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 04:35 PM

CWS530, on Jun 22 2009, 12:30 AM, said:

Looks like a fun road trip. Have you hit a lot of bugs yet? Man, I hate that.

Heading to Bologna, something mysterious nailed the windshield. It must had been a large bird, or then a turd that fell from an airplane. It was the size of a bomb!

I removed the remnants with my Leatherman when we stopped in Padova.

But it is bug season here on the Autostrade, especially anywhere near the Po.

2005 BMW 530d M-Sport Touring

#11 E60Sim

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 05:47 PM

St. Tropez -> Copenhagen, 1944 km's in one day.

Germany was playing an important football match (no cars in Germany). Avg. speed from St. Tropez to Puttgarden (German/Danish border) 144 km/h.

Bugs: Yes....

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Have a safe roadtrip!

In Denmark:
BMW 530dA (-04)Titan Grey ll, Leather Black Dacota,
Titanium Trim, Sport Suspension, 122-style rims, (116-style winter), Active steering, Sports Steering Wheel, Xenon, Alarm, Comfort Seats, Advanced A/C, Bluetooth, Sliding armrest, Pro NAV, Voice Command, Logic 7, CD Changer, Extended light package, Front + Rear Heated Seats, Rear Airbags, PDC, Auto Dimming Folding Mirrors, Trailer Clutch, Folding Rear Seats, Skibag, Cup holders, iPhone 3G Snap-in adapter, DEFA electric engine heater, CIP 33 with MP3, Autoglym for detailing.

In California, sold but not forgotten:
BMW 328iA (-96) Alpinwei� II, Leather Black Montana
Fully loaded ;-)

#12 PraiseTheLowered

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 06:02 PM

lol who is the guy wearing the female capris??

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#13 CWS530

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Posted 21 June 2009 - 07:02 PM

Patrick E61, on Jun 21 2009, 04:35 PM, said:

It must had been a large bird, or then a turd that fell from an airplane. It was the size of a bomb!

BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Great description! :lol:

#14 Patrick E61

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Posted 22 June 2009 - 02:02 AM

PraiseTheLowered, on Jun 22 2009, 02:02 AM, said:

lol who is the guy wearing the female capris??

That would be me.

2005 BMW 530d M-Sport Touring

#15 sdg1871

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Posted 22 June 2009 - 08:06 AM

And I thought that that color was easy to keep clean. The E61 does look terrific. I so want to take a real road trip through Europe.

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