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automatic car wash

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  • #1

    automatic car wash

    Since it's getting kind of colder here I've been thinking about ways to keep my car clean this winter without going to an automatic car wash. I've found a kind of DIY place with some heated water and I thought I could go there just to use the water and bring my own soap and mitt. Then I thought I could spray their soap on and use my own mitt, but does anyone know how harsh their kind of soap is? Would it be harsh enough to strip wax away?
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  • #2
    Re: automatic car wash

    Could be.

    How about asking them what kind of car wash soap cleaning solution they use?

    Show them what you use and let them know you're just trying to make the best decision as to which direction to go when washing your car out of the different options you have.

    Mike Phillips
    760-515-0444
    showcargarage@gmail.com
    "Find something you like and use it often"

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    • #3
      Re: automatic car wash

      The majority of the time their soap is very harsh. The diy by me lets me use my own stuff as long as its not peak time. Just ask him first. They are usually very accommodating.
      quality creates its own demand

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      • #4
        Re: automatic car wash

        i just hate to chance using their stuff if it's too harsh. if someone's there i'll ask, otherwise i'll just use my own soap.

        does anyone know of other alternatives to keeping a car clean in colder areas?

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        • #5
          Re: automatic car wash

          I fill my bucket up at home with GC soap, slap a lid on it, and then bring it to the do it yourself car wash. Only thing you need to use is the rinse setting then. Out of respect for others, just be sure to go at a time when it is not busy. I go late at night, and you can usually dry it right there in the bay too as long as their are no cars waiting.

          Rasky
          Rasky's Auto Detailing

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          • #6
            Re: automatic car wash

            I started out going to a DIY car wash in the winter. It was pretty nice. I would go in and close the garage doors behind me. I brought a pail with soap and hot water mixed up and ready to go. First I would rinse the truck then hand wash then rinse again finally dry. There was hardly anyone there ever. One time I was there washing the owner showed up, it was the first time I had seen anyone that worked there. He stuck his head in and said "looking good". I then asked him if he minded me hand washing in the bay and closing the doors. He said not at all.

            Another option would be a rinseless wash like ONR.

            What I do now is run through a touchless wash then go home wash with ONR and rewax. I have a heated garage so that helps. I just don't have a drain in there so I can't do a typical wash.
            Scott

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            • #7
              Re: automatic car wash

              FWIW, I asked this exact question once - this outfit has two options - one is a touchless wash (which ONLY uses detergent and high pressure), and the other is a DIY handwash. They said they could not guarantee that the touchless one wouldn't strip wax, and I should use the DIY option because the detergent was much more gentle. (the company is in Sydney, Australia, FWIW)

              Greg.

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              • #8
                Re: automatic car wash

                im just curious why do they care if you bring your own soap and wash mitt.... not like you are not paying for the use of their facility

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                • #9
                  Re: automatic car wash

                  One needs to be very careful about these coin-op places. They can be dangerous:

                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHjIwN_qdMk


                  Swirls hide in the black molecular depths, only waiting for the right time to emerge and destroy your sanity.
                  --Al Kimel

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                  • #10
                    Re: automatic car wash

                    Originally posted by benhui86 View Post
                    im just curious why do they care if you bring your own soap and wash mitt.... not like you are not paying for the use of their facility
                    Most don't care as long as there are no people waiting behind you. Takes money away from them if you are hand washing with a line of cars behind you.
                    Rasky's Auto Detailing

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                    • #11
                      Re: automatic car wash

                      Agree w/ RaskyR1. I think they do not mind as long as you are not creating a line behind. Be respectful of the coin-ops operation, I usually go either early morning or mid afternoon (before most people get off of work) during the winter months.

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                      • #12
                        Re: automatic car wash

                        I went yesterday afternoon, took about 10 minutes and worked great. I dried it there then went home and used some UQD. I'm really happy with the results.

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