Merry Christmas everyone!

A friend of mine told me that if I was washed my car way too often (ie. once every week), the washing will "strip the paint off". Huh??? I have never heard of this before, and I thought lack of washing will strip the paint.

I try washing my car every week, even if it is in the winter. I live in an area where they put salt on the road in the cold morning.

I use Mercedes approved McGuire's car shampoo and sheepskin washmit to wash my car. So, I do not think I should be concern about what my friend told me, right?

Johf
2001 C240 Classic (Automatic)
Desert Silver
Java Interior
6,400km

I think your friend is referring to car washes. Automated car washes are very violent on the paint of cars and do strip the paint of its clear coat over time, especially when you consider that thousands of cars have gone through before you come along.

Washing, if done properly will help your paint job live a long happy life. It is all the little bits of dirt and grime (most of which you can't even see) that wreck your paint. Like Yal said, high pressure and those cloth machine washes could likely do more harm than good. Hand washes are great. Look under the D.I.Y section of this site (see tabs above) for some great tips on protecting your paint (washing).

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Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

I try to wahs my car every week and in the warmer months suceed in doing so, however in the colder months I wash as often as I can, given the temp is right. I don't think that washing your car every week will strip the paint off. However what it will do is strip the wax off. So wax it once a month. Oh BTW nice ride.

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"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

I think that you can't wash a car too much, but just make sure you arent using harsh compounds, soaps, or towels.

That will ruin your paint quickly.

I generally try to wash once a week or two weeks it depends on how dirty the car gets.

I usually do a Swirl Remover once or twice a year, a wax twice a year, and I do a nice glazing usually before the waxing, sometimes I glaze after 3 months just to enrichen the shine.

If you live where there is lots of road salt, then definately wash it more often, the salt will do more damage than the excessive washing will do.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon