TSXsurf

So - obviously a quarter car wash isn't my first choice, but living in an apartment, it is hard to find a hose to wash your car. Does anybody have any suggestions?

There's a quarter car wash (high pressured wash) near my place. Is there any reason not to use that to clean my car? Does anybody know if the pressure takes the wax off?

Any tips/suggestions from "non-hose owners" are grealy appreaciated.

Thanks -

floridaowner

I fill up a couple of bottle sprays one with distilled water the other with water/choice of soap - don't get the pressure but my car is not real dirty so works well. if a good car wash in area then would recommend occassional usage( touchless preferred). some of the better places- with big tunnels etc use better stuff that won't strip wax as bad. most of the gas station washes however you are taking a little risk between scratching car and stripping some wax. Waxing often is the key!

gsclifton

iTrader: (2)

I used to bucket wash at the quarter places later in the evening when traffic was light in the other stalls. Most places have signs up about bucket washing but I never had a problem. I would just use the wash itself for water and the rinse. I brought my own soap, bucket, mits, and drying towels. It worked fairly well.

daniel1113

I do the same as gsclifton...

I visit the quarter car wash after the attendant leaves, and just use my own soap, towels, bucket, etc.

It isn't the best setup, but I find that I can do a good job if I use two buckets, and pay for 3-4 2 minute water cycles as follows:

1. Insert coins, spray down entire car, fill two buckets with soapy water.
2. Clean wheels and tires.
3. Insert coins, spray down entire car (especially wheels), empty and refill both buckets with soapy water.
4. Clean entire exterior.
5. Insert coins, spray down entire car.
6. Dry.

Sometimes I stop half-way through the exterior wash to spray down the entire car, but not always.

In the end, it usually costs me about $5.25-$7.00 for the water.

majormojo

Given a clean water supply, I don't think you need to worry about a high pressure wash stripping your wax or otherwise damaging your finish. I have my own pressure washer that I use at home. The only issue I've had is I bent a few rad fins trying to spray bugs off with it. D'oh.

TSXsurf

thanks for the advice - I'll bring my bucket along next time and see how that goes.