I know that I'll eventually break down and do it, b/c my time is valuable, and it is too COLD to hand wash my A4! I've had it 11 months and have managed to avoid taking it to a full-service, get-out-of-your-car type of place. I've hand washed and waxed since day one. They usually do an OK job, I'm just concerned about wear on the finish, etc. Any feelings or suggestions?<p>Thanks,<p>Wesley Walls<br>'98 1.8TMS

I went through the same dilemma, but I got lucky by finding a car wash that truly washes your car by hand, and in the shade (for the huge sum of $7). I just can't take the cars to a place that will spray harsh chemicals at very high pressures onto the paint. Some people take the position that the touchless-type washes are ok and won't harm your car's finish, but I just can't buy into that reasoning. I would only go to a mechanical-type car wash as an absolute last resort.<br>

You never know who went thru before you. Someone who has been 4-wheeling will have loaded the brushes up with grit. Someone with oxidized paint will have loaded the brushes up with paint residue that will permeate your clearcoat. Other foreign matter such as road salt, grease, and other forms of pollution can also be suspended in the brushes. The brushless systems also have their own set of problems. They get the surface debri off of your car, but maybe not the film below it, and that film is what is really damaging to the finish. Also, if all of the grit on your car is not removed, the finish will be scratched if it is hand dried by someone. Personally, I paid way too much for this vehicle to take a chance. When it's cold, put on some warm clothes, rubber gloves and go for it.

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