Volvo XC40 Forums

Well I've had my R Design B4 for almost 7 months now and on balance am very happy with it. I've been lovingly hand washing it so far and take great care and pride in doing so.
I'm toying with the thought of taking it through a car wash for the occasional quick wash in between my hand washes. I used to take my previous car through the local IMO wash with no dents/scrapes/scratches and wondered if anyone has had any issues with their XC40 in car washes or am I overthinking it?

An automatic car wash is an automatic no from me. If it’s a hand car wash take a look at how dirty the water is that they are washing the car with and that may also put you off.

If you take great care and pride in car washing, you've really got no choice but to wash it yourself or pay a professional car detailer to do it.

The fact you had no problems with your last car in an automatic wash must be down to luck. They are notorious for causing damage, from regular swirl marks and scratches through to destroying bits of trim, all covered by their disclaimer of course.

Personally, I wash mine once a year, just before its service, although I keep the interior and all the glass clean at all times.

PlymDave wrote: ↑Sun May 08, 2022 3:01 am Well I've had my R Design B4 for almost 7 months now and on balance am very happy with it. I've been lovingly hand washing it so far and take great care and pride in doing so.
I'm toying with the thought of taking it through a car wash for the occasional quick wash in between my hand washes. I used to take my previous car through the local IMO wash with no dents/scrapes/scratches and wondered if anyone has had any issues with their XC40 in car washes or am I overthinking it?

Nope, wouldn’t do it…

Either leave it dirty or wash it again sooner…

If I even look at mine, it scratches so definitely avoid car wash. Paint is medium hardness which is good for avoiding stone chips but easily scratched. (This is definitely my last black car as you see every mark .)

Our Karoq was put in against our XC40. Our 3rd, and last, black car. Every scratch visible, even after a full job from Urban Valet. Never again.

We're hand washing the Volvo with gear from Diamondbrite, although with my bad back and Mrs post op it isn't getting done as much as we'd like.

Actually, are we talking "drive through" car washes (or the IMO style), or so called hand washes with the high pressure lances? The latter are finished by hand.

Always said, black is a fab colour for a car but the worse colour to live with, all those swirls and marks in sun light - would recommend never to use any car wash, even the hand washes - how often do they changes the sponges, well never enough - all that grit from the previous cars giving your lovely new paint job a really good scouring

Oh definitely agree with black cars - look sublime when clean, but then show everything up…

Still, very much worth it when clean

Mine's an R Design in Pebble Grey, so only the black roof.