Bonnet badge in Garage car wash.

[Dave1946]

Could anyone please advise me about taking my E230 W210 estate through a garage car wash, with regard to the star badge on the bonnet?
Will it come out after the wash has finished minus the badge does anyone know?
I know many people would say 'don't use them because they damage paintwork', but needs must....occationally anyway!
Thanks in advance.
Dave

 

[Xtractorfan]

No wont damage the badge, tho I'm sure someone will have a ale of woe..the badge is spring loaded..always forget to straighten mine up after washing (hand job much preffered)

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Could anyone please advise me about taking my E230 W210 estate through a garage car wash, with regard to the star badge on the bonnet?
Will it come out after the wash has finished minus the badge does anyone know?

Have used a car wash with various MB and never had a problem with the star.

Folding door mirrors can get a bit out of sorts, but give them a nudge and they pop back into place - no harm done.

Paintwork pre 2004 used to be prone to showing brush marks. Paint since then seems pretty well bullet proof.

I suppose the presence of all the disclaimers you see on car washes must mean that they have casualties, but if you place the car centrally on the track, you should be fine. When you look at the contour of the car from either end, I don't think the door mirrors actually stick out much clear of the width of the doors anyway.

 

[Dave1946]

That's super; thanks for the replies.
Living in the sticks as we do cars can get filthy very quickly this time of year, and it's a big car to wash in a hurry if it's needed clean quickly. I didn't have it until the summer so this is the first time I've had to think about it.
This is my first Merc, and all I can say is, why has the joy of Mercedes driving been hidden from me all these years!! (blame the wife)
One last question. Do you fold the mirrors in or leave them in the driving position?
Thank you again, Dave

 

[television]

Cars built after 04 04 have Nano ceramic paint, its porcelain based and rired on at high temp,, made for the German cash washes as you are not allowed to wash by hand

 

[DMT60]

as xtractorfan says i much prefer a hand job

 

[rhud]

I wash by hand - am fearful of the results if I use a car wash (A150 Classic SE in black metallic). Am generally pleased with the car (new in Nov 2007) but one of my few complaints is the susceptibility of the paint to scratching and stone chipping - seems v delicate and far from bullet proof, especially the bonnet,of course, which is steeply raked and especially vulnerable. Can see me needing a bonnet respray sometime during the next year - disappointing.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

One last question. Do you fold the mirrors in or leave them in the driving position?
Thank you again, Dave

I don't fold mine, as they don't add to the overall width of the car. Never had a problem.

However, the car wash operator may point out to you that you have not folded them (good practice). Then you have a choice - some car wash people have been so passionate that I have folded them just for p&q! :???:

 

[Dave1946]

Thanks for your help and advice chaps, much appriciared.
Dave

 

[hardtop]

more to the point they dont do a very good job

 

[Xtractorfan]

Cars built after 04 04 have Nano ceramic paint, its porcelain based and rired on at high temp,, made for the German cash washes as you are not allowed to wash by hand

Interesting ..not allowed to wash by hand in germany..is this fact or fiction Malcolm ..and what if HANS is working in a car wash,, can he work