This may have been covered in part by other threads; so apologies in advance if it is redundant.

I live in an apartment complex and do not have access to a heated garage, etc. The winters here can get quite cold, so handwashing may not be a real option for a few months at least. What would be a good way to keep the car clean? The options I have are:[list=a][*]Touchless car wash: I have read conflicting opinions about touchless carwashes in other threads... [*]Self wash in a car wash coin-op. "stall" - this is where you spray the car yourself with a high pressure spray; it dispenses soap, "wax", etc.[*]Leave it dirty. I am only half-joking about this since it may not be a bad option as long as the temperature stays reasonably low.[*]Buy a house with a heated garage [/list=a]

 

I use this one touchless wash that we have. Since I moved it's been a bit of a drive but it's close to my parents house so I still go to it.

Your tires don't have to go through anything, you just drive in and stop when it tells you to stop. It sprays the bottom of your car and everything. Does a good job too. I'd say see if you can find something like that.

 

I know it is a problem for those of you that live in a cold winter area. However, it is my opinion that even if I did, I would not take my car to a car wash.

1. Car wash soaps are horrifically strong and will strip any wax you have left and then damage the paint. They are strong on purpose to clean the dirtiest car in one pass.

2. Car washes with brushes, etc. simply rub the dirt from the previous dirty cars into your paint.

3. So-called "Touchless" car washes touch your car plenty, with a very high pressure spray (Same for pressure washers). They not only sandblast your car with the dirt that's on it, I have read of door and window seals being damaged by the high-pressure spray. My idiot neighbors use a pressure washer, and I can clearly see the pattern of the sprayer etched into their paint as they blasted the dirt off.

When it is cold here in L.A., meaning 30-40's, I take a bucket of hot water out to wash the car with after hosing it off. Maybe this is not feasible where you are?

Perhaps the best compromise is to use the pay booth with your own car wash soap (NOT detergent) and don't get too close with the sprayer.

Good Luck!

 

I think a bucket of hot water might shatter glass in really cold conditions.

 

I only use water (no soap at all) to wash my car, works fine. The only time I use soap is before I wax it.

 

Thanks for the info. I cannot get a hose to the car since it is an apt. complex. Like you suggest, a viable option may be to use a pay booth on a slightly warm(er) day and use the spray at an angle.

 

My touchless car wash Seems to work fine....

Maybe washing it TOO often is an issue (that is why I have anthracite).....

My dealer washes it every time I get a service... they have a touch car wash with those nasty things that move around on your car.

I rather have the touchess water blast... it doesnt blast in ONE place.. it is always rotating around...

Mike