Best Auto Detailing Services at Car Washes in SoCal

[nyc_dude]

I wanted to start a thread, so BMW M-Car Enthusiasts and beyond can get an expert auto detail at your local SoCal Car Wash. I am more interested in a drive up 1-2 hour buff & polish exterior detail, plus an interior detail that includes a leather cleaning and conditioning.

I am also interested in shops and mobile detailers that use Chemical Guys products. Detail King has retail shops throughout LA that sell Chemical Guys Products, including the HQ in Gardena.

- Soapy Suds, Valencia
- Westchester Hand Wash, near LAX

Most car washes have an auto detailer who will clay bar, machine polish, and apply a hand wax. Most swirls, scratches, and water spots will be removed. Headlight polishing is very popular. But the quality of the products used aren't so great for the price.

I want to apply CG Jetseal sealant after a decontamination wash/clay bar, and a good wax on top of the sealant. Jetseal lasts 6 months, so water spots etc. won't stick to the paint finish.

I don't have time to leave my BMW at an auto detailer for a week, but I might for a full paint correction and clear bra/ceramic coating in the future.

I park my F30 335i near some landscaping and sprinklers that gets water spot build up ever week. Can't do a buff & polish every month for $130.

I was hoping to do a leatherique treatment on my neglected 2009 e90 M3 Fox Red leather interior (180k miles), but that takes days. I settled for a Lexol interior detail at Soapy Suds (10 minutes away), which came out nice, but a little glossy instead of a matte leather finish. They also did the buff & polish, which was very detailed and helped remove most swirls and water spots. They polished up the chrome quad tips on my e9x M3 to a high luster with no carbon or soot left.

Soapy Suds is highly recommended in the SF Valley and Valencia areas.
Less than 2 hours for everything (hand wash, clay bar, buff & polish, Lexol leather treatment, and rug shampoo). They do high-end cars, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, and huge RVs. Other Auto Spas in town don't actually clean everything like brake dust on rims, and leave water spots, regardless of how much you pay.

One Tip: Fibrenew does mobile leather repair all over the US. Auto, home, commercial, marine, and aviation leather repair services. They can redye and repair worn leather seats. Leather World Tech has all the exact BMW leather dye colors for sale online.


Cheers

[jaimerod]

thanks for the leather world tip. there is some slight darkening in the fox red on the driver seat so I was trying to but some dye.

[nyc_dude]

Try some leather cleaner and conditioner, before the dye. You have to worry most about wear and scuffs by the side bolsters, getting in and out of the car.

BMW e9x M3 Novillo leather cleans up nicely with some Love.

BMW F3x pebbled Dakota leather is another story. Crappy.

Chemical Guys makes a serum to coat and protect the leather after applying the leather cleaning and conditioning.

Cheers

[Gto3]

Pacific Coast Auto Detail - San Diego - Tell Eduardo Jordan sent you

[NeverL8]

Most professional detailers will not use Chemical Guys products. Jet Seal don’t last for 6 months as they claim. Oh and you can do a 24 hour Leatherique treatment on a HOT day, it gives great results!

1-2 hour buff and polish drive up car detail/wash place makes me cringe.

[nyc_dude]

Everyone should check out Meguiars Hyper Dressing for engine detailing. Mix 3:1 or 4:1 to get different finishes from glossy to matte. Just spray it all over and let it dry.

One Gallon container will last years for you and all your fellow car enthusiasts.
There are other applications, like tires and black plastic/rubber.

Gorgeous S65/S85 M3/M5 and S55 M3/M4 engine bays will look great for years.

Cheers