Wand type car washes

[RayS]

Every now and then when my car is just mostly dustly and I don't have much time, I take it through the wand type car wash that you do by hand. I know their soap is not great for the wax but does anybody have any idea how much more often I have to wax because of this. I do trey to keep it shiny.

[Scotty89]

Re: Wand type car washes

If you've got some time to wax it often, surely you've got time to clean it properly? :P

I don't know about your waxing question, but maybe you can look into the meguiars waterless system? I've not used it before, but I read that the brush that comes in that line of products is good for removing light dust - It'd probably end up being quicker/cheaper than a wand wash every now and then.

[Deaner5]

Re: Wand type car washes

I'm don't know much about the Waterless system, so I can't comment there, but if you want to get that quick and easy wash, why not go to the touchless gas station type washes? Yes, their soaps probably aren't the greatest either, but the main thing I worry about is the marring you might get from the brushes at the coin-op places.

Another option is that you could just QD with a quality MF towel and call it a day, but you do run the risk of possibly dragging some of that dust across the finish and marring it.

Also, you could bring your bucket to a coin-op and do a regular wash there (I have to do this in the winter). Then again if you are doing that, why not just a regular wash at home.

It's all about what you are looking for and how that will affect the finish.

[soapy]

Re: Wand type car washes

Nothing wrong with using a wand type of car wash. Make sure it uses natural soft hair brushes. Clean the brushes with the high pressure wand before using it on your paint. The soaps used in most car washes are safer than the soaps you use at home in the driveway plus you won't be harming the environment like you do with a driveway wash. Many cities are now banning driveway carwashes.

[akimel]

Re: Wand type car washes

The soaps used in most car washes are safer than the soaps you use at home in the driveway plus you won't be harming the environment like you do with a driveway wash.

As one of my professors liked to say, "Important if true." But is it true? Can you point us to some documentation to support this. I myself would like to believe this to be true, so I could avail myself of the coin op on occasion. Thanks.

[Murr1525]

Re: Wand type car washes

The soap is strong, it will strip wax pretty quickly.

Never ever touch the brushes to your paint.

[soapy]

Re: Wand type car washes

Some recent studies on driveway washes were done by the city of Federal Way in Washington. Check with the San diego why they have banned driveway washing. A study done by Brown Bear carwash a couple of years ago also documented the harm of driveway washing. Remember that at a licensed carwash all the waste water enters the sewer system and is treated at a waste water facility. Water from a driveway or parking lot wash enters the storm drain system and is dumped directly into rivers and oceans without being treated.

[JoeDirt]

Re: Wand type car washes

A study done by Brown Bear carwash a couple of years ago also documented the harm of driveway washing...

So a study done by a carwash said that residents should use a carwash rather than wash at home? Hmmmm...

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Wand type car washes

The only problem I see is this. At least in florida, most car washes recycle there water. Using thier own filtration process. Now on the other hand, washing by hand on your driveway, yopu may use a biodegradable soap. But are you sure that the "gunk" your washing away is biodegradable? That could be the problem. Just my 0.02 worth.