It is pretty impractical to wash my car myself, since I live in an apartment building with no garage or anything like that. So I'd like to get a car wash. Does anyone recommend any particular kind of car wash or other things to watch for? Do I really need to remove the antenna on the roof before going thru a car wash? Can anyone recommend a good place in or near Manhattan?

Thanks!

 

There's a homeless guy at 2nd Ave and 110 th St. He has a bottle of water and some paper towels. He does a great car wash for 2 bucks.

 

i only take my car to those touchless car washes since i'm not really into washing my car (live in an apartment too!). but the job they do isn't great...just okay. i don't think you need to take off the antenna for these places. avoid car washes that use rails (might damage your wheels) and cloth brushes (even if they are soft ones) as they will probably leave swirl marks.

the other option is to take it to one of those hand car wash places where they do it for you...just make sure it is a good one...you may have to pay a little bit of a premium for those though.

 

Thanks for the tip. Never heard of a touchless car wash... Anyone know where they are around Manhattan? (I know, its a pathetic question... the last car I owned was 12 years ago and I don't think I ever washed it...)

 

http://www.insiderpages.com/s/NY/New...shingDetailing

 

This does not appear to be a valid URL.

 

I don't think the touchless work good enough to be worthwhile. Also, if the sensors malufunction...bang!! It does happen (happened to a guy I know).

I often use one here in Frisco, TX that I like. It is not touchless, but they keep the cloths clean and use forced air to dry. I am willing to trade a swirl or two to not have to wash in the Dallas summer. Twice a year I have my cars professionally detailed and they get a lot of the swirl marks out.

 

I used to go to a touchless car wash near my old job, but it didn't look anything close to a regular car wash. They just can't get the same washing effect. I've just set myself that a regular car wash will cause swirl marks in the paint. I tend to wax my car every season, so that's good enough for me.

Joe

 

About 6 years ago when I lived in Hoboken, there was a good car wash somewhere around 1st and Patterson, that isn't too far from the exit to the Holland Tunnel. No idea if it is still there. I think there was also one up near the Lincoln Tunnel, if you peel off and head south into Hoboken. Of course, I've heard everything has been torn down and rebuilt in Hoboken since I left, so there's a good chance both of those places are condos now. If you're ever across the river, though, it's a small city and I'm sure they can tell you at any of the local gas stations if they're still open.

 

A local carwash completely wrecked a persons brand new cadillac. Aparently the carwash worker set the brushes too close to vehicle-both sides of the car were smashed from front to back. They offered the owner 3 free washes in return
It in WinterSprings , Florida

So you can guess I will always wash my RDX myself or let Acura do it when serviced.

 

My dealer offers free hand washes every Saturday morning.

 

Just because you let Acura wash the car doesn't mean that their carwash won't ruin the paint. If you want to make sure it comes out to your standards, just do it yourself. You'll get more pride out of it and know that it can't be ruined

 

I live in a condo in Manhattan. For me to wash my own car would require logistics, luck and effort that I would rather avoid spending. Maybe some day if I have a summer home... :-)

So I guess I'm looking for a more practical solution. Cost is not a major factor.

 

Do you drive to work? Probably not, but worth a shot as most large buildings in metro areas have car detail shops in the parking garages. For example, here in Indy, our parking garage has a guy who has been detailing/cleaning cars for 20 years. For $15, he'll hand wash your car and make it look spotless and vacuum/dust the inside and do all the glass. No spots. No mess.

 

Good idea. I'll ask the guys in my garage by my home.

 

Here's what I did when I had a condo....

Took a wash bucket, my Meguiars stuff, mitts etc to a local drive in do it yourself bay on a slow day.

RInsed the car, filled the bucket with water/car wash, wet the chamios, then hand washed the car with my stuff, and rinsed.

Dryed the car in the bay, waxed with NXT and presto!

Cost was about $4.

 

Good point. For me I will only wash my RDX, myself by hand. Yesterday I made the mistake of sending my RDX through a car wash and the machine ripped my rear windshield wiper arm off.