It's too cold and my driveway is frozen so I cant drag out the hose.

My car is so trashed, I have atleast 50lbs of road ***** stuck behind each tire, car is more white then red.

My only concerns about autocar washes is that although I've gone through them before My car is one of the cleaner ones on the road, those brushes and water were on everyone elses dirty car.

Their is a U wash by my school I'll check out tomorrow, only thing Is I cant clean underneath as good with the wand.- Also, if the water is hot (which I'm hoping it is) Should I bring a soapey sponge and wipe it off? or just use the water?

I've only gone to a car wash maybe 3 times in 3 years, I always do it at home, but this year is exceptionally cold.

~Chris

 

Hey Chris,

Personally, I'd NEVER use an automated car wash. I have used the kind where you pull into the stall, and I've brought along a bucket, sponge, etc., but some don't allow that, so go "after hours" if possible. Also, dont use the brush either.

In the really bad weather, with the roads still covered in salt, etc., don't worry so much about the paint for now, provided you have a good coat of wax, the paint should be fine. Until the roads are clean/clear, I'd just spray the undercarriage to clean off the road grime, salt, etc.

 

Personally... here's how I decide on it.


If a machine touches my car ... stay away from it.

If you must really use a car wash and can't do it in your driveway or garage..... find a "touchless" car wash. .where the only thing that touches your car is the water / spray and air. It won't be clean perfectly but it will remove all the grime/gunk that build up.

 

Dont take it to an auto car wash. You can do a good job yourself by taking it into a U wash stall. You probly dont want to use the brush but you could have a bucket and fill it up with the foam from the foam brush and use one of those soft wash mits. They shouldnt have a problem with that as long as they get their money.

 

Most of the U-wash places don't mind if you use a bucket to wash your vehicle, as long as there is not a line of cars waiting. Go at an off hour and take your time.

 

Where i live theres a nice a** automated car wash that does under-body and all. Only thing it touches on your car is theres a wheel mechanism that pulls your vehicle through on the desired speed of the machine. Theres always personal on hand to make sure everything is working right, etc. The water is also heated to around 60 degrees. I usually don't do it either, but when i got my moms 05 2500HD GMC salty from going to a trade show i figure i'd better return it the way i found it...underbody was damn near spotless.

The machine never touches the car either, besides the tire.

Dave

 

I put about 3 coats of my favorite wax (Kit paste wax) on in August before school started so I have a pretty good coat on under all the dirt

I went to the stall today, only was able to get the camaro into one out of 5 of them since none of them were plowed out and this was the only one I didnt get high centered on.... $2 for 2 minutes- but I just used the powerwashing wand on soap (no brush) for a minute and then switched it to clear water and rinsed it off, finished just in time then took out one of the towils in my trunk and used it to dry the car off.

It's not perfect, I cant wate till warmer weather and no school so I can go all out but it's hell of a lot better then before!

 

Yo guys, you can use my parking spot and water.J/K