flywithgz

I do wash the ones that aren't too nasty or contaminated with any grit. Washing does not remove grit that finds its way into the cloth after it's been dropped on the ground. After they are washed, I throw them in a drawer that's used for household jobs but never again on vehicles or TV/computer screens. They mainly get used in swiffering the hardwood floors and wiping down granite countertops.

Truckin

iTrader: (4)

These are the best I've found, pricey but worth it to me.. side by side with other MF towels, all my old ones I use on my rims now. I buy the red and purple ones were recommended on autogeek

Siber Express

I wash mine with hot water, hot water in the bucket and hot water through the hose and then back it into the garage to dry it off and nice clean F150 and/or Mustang. Been doing it that way for years.
I bought a 2007 Mazda3 Hatch that it looked like the dealership car wash/scratch it up guy washed it with what looked like Chain Mail gloves on. Dealer finally did a straight across trade on it since the 3 attempts to repaint it made it look worse. The car I got from them for that came off the truck and came home, dealer didn't even take the plastic off the seats

David Young

I went through the Ford truck assembly plant tour, 4 years ago. The last thing done was a robot with a laser, checking 'all' the panel gaps for fit and finish. It was cool watching this being done . Maybe it wasn't checking anything

johnday in BFE

iTrader: (1)

A few years ago, I had my Ranger at the dealer, and was in the service area with the tech. As we were talking, up walked one of the carwash kids, literally dragging a nylon brush on a handle across the floor. I always request NO wash after seeing that!!!!

RangoWA

That provides the grit to get through that pesky road grime.

johnday in BFE

iTrader: (1)

And that ain't all!!!

Times have really changed. One of my first jobs was as a "porter" at the local Chevy dealer. We didn't use brushes on anything except the tires. Washed by rinsing first, then whatever the stuff was that Chevy sold, with sponges. Then dried with chamois. Whenever we waxed, it would be a Chevy part as well. Cleaned the windows with Windex. When we were done, the car/truck would be spotless, no finger prints, no smudging. We took pride in what we did. Whenever a high performance car came to us, we took it upon ourselves to automatically wax it.
I then moved over to the Plymouth dealer, same thing.
We actually treated a customers car as if it was our own. Not saying there aren't good places out there, there has to be some.
If I get lazy, I do have a detailer I take it to, and the truck will be in her care for two days. Comes back looking like something I'd do.

moparado

Swirl marks..hate 'em.
I will never put my F150 or any of my other vehicles through one of those car washes.

A while back took my old Jeep Cherokee with NO swirl marks in for an alignment and a couple other things at the local Dodge/Jeep dealer.
When i picked it up i was surprised it was washed and looking good so i thought at the time.
Service manager said it was a new customary thing, washing vehicles in for service.

Next day got a good look at it in the sun.
Yep obvious #$%'n swirl marks!!
Had to go over it with Meguires swirl mark remover. Worked great.

The next time i sternly told the service manager about the swirl marks and NOT to wash any vehicle i bring in for future service.
And make that clearly spelled out in the service order.

fang2015

Off subject a little, but food for thought. My last new vehicle purchase was a 2013 F-150 4x4 RCSB, dark metallic gray. Bought it in August, 2013 when all the amazing incentives/rebates were in place. Nearly impossible vehicle to locate in my southwest area and I wanted the dark gray as it an STX with black grille. Closest I could find these vehicles with proper options was in the mid-west. Settled on a dealer about 50 miles away from the Kansas City plant where it was built. Turns out they have their own transport truck for picking up their vehicles at the factory, so they were the only ones that touched it. No rail dust, nothing more than a quick wash.

The paint is perfect. First time I have ever seen a perfect paint job on a new vehicle, especially one so dark. May just do this mid-west run again for a new truck in the future.