Washing car at college.

[Jeepster04]

I believe I have figured it out. When I need to wash my jeep at school, Im going to go to walmart and get a couple gallons of distilled water(around $.90 a gallon). Ill go to the car wash at night and use their water to spray the jeep off and get all the mud off(I love off-roading). Ill then used GC soap and the distilled water in a bucket to wash it, then use the car washes water againt to rinse. Ill then hand dry with MF towels. This should work out just fine shouldnt it? I'll also run some QD or QW over it to make it shine and help my wax last longer.

[Mike Phillips]

This isn't the best way to remove dirt from off a car because plenty of rinse water from a hose will insure you are better able to remove dirt without scratching, but when you're in a position like you're in and don't have access to running/hose water then you have to improvise.

If this is your only option then it would probably be a good idea to wash often so there is less dirt build-up to start with and use a quick detailer as often as you can for maintenance.

[Jeepster04]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
This isn't the best way to remove dirt from off a car because plenty of rinse water from a hose will insure you are better able to remove dirt without scratching, but when you're in a position like you're in and don't have access to running/hose water then you have to improvise.

If this is your only option then it would probably be a good idea to wash often so there is less dirt build-up to start with and use a quick detailer as often as you can for maintenance.

The rinse water at the car washes is high pressure. I figured it would do better than a water hose at home.

[kboxer]

I used to just bucket wash at night at the car wash. For 5.00 you couldnt go wrong. If you squeeze the trigger a low pressure would come out, enough to get the wheels wet. I would then do the wheels and add quarters as neccessary. Made sure my wash bucket was filled and rinse the car. After I would add more quarters as needed. Just work fast.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by BlueLibby04
The rinse water at the car washes is high pressure. I figured it would do better than a water hose at home.

Sorry, I misread your first post, your above recipe for washing your Jeep will work fine.

[tguil]

Your plan should work just fine. I’ve washed many a vehicle that way. The important thing to remember is that somewhere in the process you have to get the dirt off with a good wash solution and a mitt. The spray itself will not do so.

An alternative to your method – Use a no rinse wash solution like Optimum No Rinse or Quick and Easy Wash. I have found this process to work pretty well. First you give your vehicle a thorough wash and rinse using the car wash. You then follow the rinse cycle with the Quick and Easy Wash, washing one panel at a time followed by drying this panel immediately. Here’s a website that explains the process. Lot’s of folks do not go to the coin op first. I do unless my truck is darn clean. http://www.taurusclub.com/modules.ph...=print&sid=117

I also suggest that you do an search on QEW on Autopia: http://autopia.org/forum/index.php?

There is a ton of information on using this product.

Have fun.

Tom

[Mikeyc]

QEW is a good solution. There are also two other products similar to QEW, but IMO provide a little more lubricity during washing. They are Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine and Detailer's Pride 4-in-1 Rinseless Wash.

[jayelleseven]

you will end up scracthing up ur paint sooner or later. theres always spots u dont notice till its too late and u pretty much ruin your drying towel..

u dont hav much of a choice yeah but GL_

[Jeepster04]

I think some people are confused. The only difference in washing it here than at home is Im using the high pressure wand at the carwash. I have the bucket and GC wash along with 2 gallons of distilled water right here in my dorm room. Ill rinse the jeep really good with their rinse water and then use the distilled water in my bucket. The only thing is, it will be dark and hard to see, even if they do have lights...

[tguil]

OK, but why bother with distilled water? Just fill a couple of gallon jugs out of the hot water tap in your room. I used to do pretty much the same thing but I used a five gallon platic container filled it with hot water and shampoo before heading to the carwash.

Tom

[Jeepster04]

Originally posted by tguil
OK, but why bother with distilled water? Just fill a couple of gallon jugs out of the hot water tap in your room. I used to do pretty much the same thing but I used a five gallon platic container filled it with hot water and shampoo before heading to the carwash.

Tom

I dont have a sink in my room, or I would. Its just alittle dorm room with beds. I could use the sinks in the bath room, but I would have to use cups or something to pour it in the jugs. The gallons of water at walmart is only $.60, so I dont care to buy them.

[tguil]

Sure am glad my college days are over!

Tom

[xebola]

I sometimes use coin-ops. The Versa-Angle Wide Body Brush is indispensable when playing beat the clock.

I also like to use two grit guards in my bucket since using two buckets is really impractical (although you do end up with one darn heavy bucket.). Since you need to use more water and more wash solution Hyper-Wash is great for this. I just fill my wash bucket at the coin-op.

A big annoyance for me at coin-ops is that I can't use the soak method at the beginning of my drying sequence. That is where I like to use the distilled water. With a little practice it's as good as a hose for getting all the water to run off of your car. I can do my compact SUV with one gallon. I then use an 18 volt leaf blower (which I love) and 2 water magnets to dry. Without doing this I would easily use 4-5 water magnets to dry. I live near 3 coin-ops and none of their rinse is spot free, although it works ok in my wash bucket.

BTW Northern Industrial Tools makes a cordless sprayer that holds 4 gallons and delivers up to 50psi. Also garden pump sprayers and even handheld pump sprayers might be useful to you.

You might be able to solve your water filling problems with a piece of tubing from Home Depot or Lowe's. You could even use one of those waterbed filling devices if your faucet accepts it.

I'm sure a lot of people have to care for their cars under less than ideal conditions. I would love to have some more info about this.

Regards

[italian49er2010]

Re: Washing car at college.

why not just take the buckets with you and fill them with water at the car wash after you have wet the car! or you could spend some money on regular water instead of distilled water at the store!