Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

[Robert325i]

I live in an apartment where there is no area available to wash your car. I can't even find a hose bib to connect a hose to! Anyone have ideas on how or where (I live in San Jose, CA) to detail my car? I know I'm not the only one out there in this situation. A coin operated car wash is nearby so that's at least one option. All suggestions gladly accepted.

[netspec]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

Robert,

I'm in a similar situation! I make a early (6 AM) trip to a self service car wash, taking my own boars hair wash brush or wash mitt, buckets, Gold Class car wash and an APC. I'll do everything (wash,clean wheels/tires & dry) in the wash bay. I try to wash at least once a week,with a rinseless car wash or 2 in between (weather permitting).

[RZ Autodetailing]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

Their is a product called optimum no rinse ,its a hosesless wash and the results are fabulous.I mix up a spray bottle of it to presoak really dirty panels and also use a 2 bucket wash with a wash mit and lots of clean m/f towels and do one panel at a time starting from the roof down.Alot of mobile detailers including myself are using this process to avoid water runoff laws.This process is also great in areas of the country that get really cold and you cant break out the hose during the winter..

[CharlesW]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

Robert,

I'm in a similar situation! I make a early (6 AM) trip to a self service car wash, taking my own boars hair wash brush or wash mitt, buckets, Gold Class car wash and an APC. I'll do everything (wash,clean wheels/tires & dry) in the wash bay. I try to wash at least once a week,with a rinseless car wash or 2 in between (weather permitting).

None of the DIY washes around here would allow that and haven't for years.
The so called "Rinseless Washes" do a decent job and I personally think that Meguiar's will have one on the market eventually. I use them and have no coplaints, but I still think a "Bucket Wash" is a great way to take care of your vehicle. It may just be in my mind, but it just seems like the right way to wash a car.
If the government ever decides to enforce the rules about wash water run-off into storm sewers, a lot of things will have to change.

[kpagel]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

Charles,

None of the DIY car washes allow that around here, either. But there are NO people at any of these places. 99% of the time, they are unmanned. Whose going to say anything? Besides, if you go at an odd time (6am like the other guy said), why would they even care, you wouldn't be taking the wash bay away from someone else.

[CharlesW]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

Charles,

None of the DIY car washes allow that around here, either. But there are NO people at any of these places. 99% of the time, they are unmanned. Whose going to say anything? Besides, if you go at an odd time (6am like the other guy said), why would they even care, you wouldn't be taking the wash bay away from someone else.

This could be argued both ways, but I guess I feel that if they have the rule, I should follow it. And yes. I do sometimes speed, but that's different.

While you aren't taking the bay away from someone else, you are using the owners building, lights, and heat with no compensation to him. The fact that it isn't being used doesn't really make it OK to consider it fair game. I wouldn't want someone using my house or garage while I was away even though I'm not using it at the time.
It's all in what you are comfortable with.

[netspec]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

Most 24 hour car washes don't mind if you bucket wash during off-peak hours. I mormally wash between 5:30-6 AM. The early bird gets the worm, so to speak!

[Jeepster04]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

This could be argued both ways, but I guess I feel that if they have the rule, I should follow it. And yes. I do sometimes speed, but that's different.

While you aren't taking the bay away from someone else, you are using the owners building, lights, and heat with no compensation to him. The fact that it isn't being used doesn't really make it OK to consider it fair game. I wouldn't want someone using my house or garage while I was away even though I'm not using it at the time.
It's all in what you are comfortable with.

You are still paying to use his water and building(not to sure what you mean by 'heat'). Either way, if you did not go to that car wash at 6am, the lights would still be shining and the building would still be standing.

I am currently in college, so I bought me a bucket to Lowes with a lid. I fill it up with water here in the showers, then take it to the carwash and wash my Jeep with my own stuff, but Im still paying to use their water. There is almost always a man on duty there and he just smiles as he walks by. I of course never go during peak hours and I would never do that if people were waiting in line. There isnt a sign that says 'no bucket wash' either.

[CharlesW]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

In Iowa the wash bays are heated.
Also, my garage and house would still be standing, but I don't want anyone stopping in to use them.
If I walk by and you are in them, I probably won't just smile.

Charles

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

Just a side note Robert. It's never a good idea to post your e-mail address on a web-page. The spammers have programs that search web-pages for them. You might want to consider changeing your "handle". And welcome to MOL!

[Joe's detailing]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

Do you have a friend or family member who resides in a house with a garden hose to use?
As for who mentioned going to car wash at 6 am. Here in Michigan, they post (signs) saying, no bucket washing your being videotaped, I've searched and searched can't find a one. Really what can they do if caught you, ban you lol..

[saleem]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

Really what can they do if caught you, ban you lol..

Hahah true.... I don't think it's trespassing, is it?

[Joe's detailing]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

Hahah true.... I don't think it's trespassing, is it?

LOL that would be interesting, since it's a all public place...
The thing is the only reason, they don't want you to bring your own stuff, is so they can make $$$ it's all about the dollar..

[JG_Detailing]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

We have a outside hook up so I can wash the car's that way. The only time we use the self serve wash is durning the winter.

[nicknick]

Re: Live in Apartment, where to wash my car?

In Iowa the wash bays are heated.
Also, my garage and house would still be standing, but I don't want anyone stopping in to use them.
If I walk by and you are in them, I probably won't just smile.

Charles

Chill out you guys. As the other guy said the lights etc would still be on and you would be washing your car during off peak anyway. I'm sure the commercial car wsash operator would factor certain "things" into the equation.