Vlad_Type_S

iTrader: (3)

I'm a young man who recently started his career and takes care of both of his mom's properties. That said, time is a luxury for me and I almost never have time to give my car a proper wash!

My question is this: Which is worse, not washing your car at all for several weeks at a time, or taking it to any random wash such as a gas station?

You're probably going to tell me to do my research and find a reputable detailing shop. I've tried doing this on the internet, but it's practically impossible. Many shops don't have reviews at all and the ones that do aren't really from auto enthusiasts that critique their methods. And I don't really have time to call/visit all of these shops.

Side note, one of my "property tasks" is to clean out one of the garages for my own personal use. Once it's all set up, I can wash my car again!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

it depends on what you deem is acceptable.

if you dont mind swirls, by all means go to your weekly car washes. they'll clean the car.
Most people view automobiles as an object to take them from one place to another.

car enthusiast are a different breed.
I'd rather have the car caked with dirt for a few weeks and then give it a proper wash by my own hands.

C8N

I agree with justnspace, as long as the car has a good coat of wax, I wouldn't have a problem going a few weeks without a wash. However, there are certain stains you want to get rid of as soon as possible as they will eat into your paint such as bird poop, bugs and etc

350

iTrader: (4)

If there's a touchless car wash by you go for it, otherwise you're gonna get swirls in the paint. Maybe give it a good wash every few weeks, then carry around a few soft rags and some detail spray for quick spot cleanings til you can do it right again.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^i'd forego the quick spot cleanings. ive seen friends induce swirls on their rides.

its a full wash or leave it dirty.

06_TL

I would also let my car sit dirty. Bird poop and love bugs should be removed ASAP however.

SoCal CL

I second the touchless car wash until you are able to give it a good wash. My apartment doesn't have a wash bay so I just use the touchless car wash once a week. But when I do have time I take it to my parents house and use their driveway and garage for full detail.

SweetJazz

I will let my car stay dirty for a while rather than let someone mess it up. Please define touchless car wash because everytime I drive by our local touchless car wash I see a whole lot of hands wiping the paint.

Aman

^ There are many truly touchless washes around here, that are just the machine, no people with rags touching your car. I like to use them to get the heavy grime off the car then finish up with a soft ONR wash at home. I'm in the filthy for a few weeks, clean for a few days camp.

Be careful with using touchless washes too much though. The aggressive soaps they use can hit any wax you have pretty hard.

Vlad_Type_S

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, I've been warned about the aggressive soaps used in the touchless washes. Thanks for all your opinions guys! I'll just keep it dirty for a while until I can take care of it properly or find a reputable detail shop that can wash it right.

Acura_Swag

if I was you ill leave it dirty til I can get my hands on it. car washes just take your money and leave your car all wet and dirty. I hate corner store car washes they all horrible. I only do hand wash spots or if not ill wash it myself

Jesstzn

The only thing bad about leaving it dirty is that if someone rubs against it its like dry sanding it.

nj2pa2nc

When we were on our cross country roadtrips the car got very dirty. We did go to car washes. No regrets. 42 states visited.