Can someone please describe how the self-serve bays/garages at auto wash places work? I have never been to one, and plan to go to one sometime soon. I dont want to look like a complete ass not nowing what to do and how the system works.

What all products/equipment do you need to take yourself and what all do they provide? Apart from high pressure water what all facilities are available? - any thing to dry the car? what about for wheels?

Whats the paying process - is it that you pay a certain amount for using the bay/garage...or do you feed quarters/dollars to get the water etc out?

Any etiquettes to observe while using these self serve car washes?

 

The only time i'll go to one is really late at night because most places will not let you bucket wash. The self serve car washes have a power washer that you put quarters to make it work. I wouldn't reccommend it. I only go there when i'm to cheap to wash my car at my house. I go there with my detailing supplies late at night and go at it with my bucket.

 

Very often I will go to just use the high pressure wash, get the majority of crud off, then a little spot removal (tar/ asphalt crap) when I get home. Then hit it with NRWS and my sprayer.
The normal process is drop a few bucks into the machine, then take your pick of foam/brush wash, just water (rinse), soap, and various other selections. You usually get about 3-4 minutes for a few bucks, so you have to make quick use of your $'s.....

 

I wouldnt use the brushes and all there. Only the power washer to get off stuff like Excel said.

 

 

I bucket wash at my local wash. I get dirty looks, but I only go at non crowded times. So if there is an open bay don't meanmugg me!

I often dry it off in the bay also, so the water spots do't dry on in the sun, people don't like that either.

 

So the bay itself doesnt have any facility to dry the car?


Everyone, thanks for the advice!

 

nope. Its not like a drive thru car wash. Its just a place for you to wash your car with a power washer instead of playing $10-15 for a drive thru car wash, you pay like $4 to wash your car yourself.

 

I go the DIY car wash and use the power washer, soap, and spot free rinse only. Those brushes get dropped on the floor and stuff like that all the time so i'm not taking the risk. Then when i pull out i get on the highway and go one exit (which is about 1 mile) and i just drive at least 80 MPG if not higher (no cops can hide in this stretch due to barriers) and just do one lap up and one lap back to air dry

 

Damn..... 80MPG? what kinda car do you drive. I need to get me one, gas prices are too high.

Just thought that was funny. MPH FTW!

 

I drive a government car, and i am not at liberty to disclose that information



HAHAH....typo!

 

Damn!...since when are government cars Acuras?!?

 

Hahah....i was totally kidding! I guess i'll put it in red text next time