[Spasoje]

I am wondering about the paint job on new Volvos (XC90s in this case): I heard that you have to let the paint break-in during the first 6 months or so, during which time you cannot take it to any automatic car washes. How much truth is there to this? Are there automatic car washes that will not be harmful to the paint?

I have tried searching the forum for this, but to no avail.

 

[240_XC90]

Re: Breaking in the New Paint (Spasoje)

According to the owners manual, you should avoid auto car washes the first 6 months.

 

[kowalcs]

My XC90 has yet to see a car wash and it's over 4yrs old.

 

[dmd]

Re: (kowalcs)

Quote, originally posted by kowalcs »

My XC90 has yet to see a car wash and it's over 4yrs old.

That should be long enough...

 

[Tao]

Re: Breaking in the New Paint (Spasoje)

Definitely avoid automatic brush or cloth. Newer style stationary vehicle washes with touchless robotic arm and plenty of widely dispersed lower pressure water jets shouldn't be a problem. Been using Sunoco Ecobright for a long while - paint looks great. Shell has similar.

Went through an older Shell touch-less (pull-through style) and was uncomfortable with the more concentrated higher pressure jets.

 

[AOW162435]

Re: Breaking in the New Paint (Spasoje)

Quote, originally posted by Spasoje »

I heard that you have to let the paint break-in during the first 6 months or so, during which time you cannot take it to any automatic car washes.

I think "cure" would be a more appropriate term. "Break-in" is a term usually used to describe the initial usage period of an engine.

Factory finishes are baked, and are pretty much "cured" before leaving the factory. When a car gets repainted, there's usually a time period during which the paint should not be polished, etc. since it needs time to properly "cure".

Andreas

 

[Spasoje]

Re: Breaking in the New Paint (AOW162435)

Thanks for the tip! English isn't my first language, after all...I speak three other languages just as bad.

Tao, thanks for the info! I have a Shell automatic touchless close by that I usually go to, so it's good to know that it will probably be ok.

What happens if you wash your car in an unrecommended way during the first 6 months? Does the paint fade or get damaged?

 

[dmd]

Re: Breaking in the New Paint (Spasoje)

Paint could just be softer during that time and could scratch easier.

 

[LTA]

Re: Breaking in the New Paint (Tao)

Nothing is better than proper hand washing with good qaulity soap (ph balanced). But that's just not always practical

Quote, originally posted by Tao »

Definitely avoid automatic brush or cloth. Newer style stationary vehicle washes with touchless robotic arm and plenty of widely dispersed lower pressure water jets shouldn't be a problem. Been using Sunoco Ecobright for a long while - paint looks great. Shell has similar. Went through an older Shell touch-less (pull-through style) and was uncomfortable with the more concentrated higher pressure jets.

Agreed http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

Stay far, Far, FAR away from the auto track wash at Dufferin/Summeridge. That darn thing caused $4000 in repairs (on their dime) and I will never go to that wash, or one like it, again. NEVER!

The stationary wash at Rutherford/Thornhill Woods Drive has always been safe. But too often it doesn't rinse well and you're left with soap dripping from the mirrors

But for a quick wash in the winter months it suffices.

Quote, originally posted by dmd »

Paint could just be softer during that time and could scratch easier.

BINGO!

LTA