The truth on self serve wash soaps and hot wax?

[ChevyNick]

Note: I'm doing this from my phone so hopefully there's no mistakes.

Ok guys, winter is coming here in Michigan, maybe... I hope we get some snow here soon, can't wait to bust the sleds out! So my plan for this winter is using the quarter car wash. Among the choices, it has a "pre soap", "soap", "rinse", and "wax" option. For the longest time, I've always used them in this order. Pre soap, soap, rinse. I have heard that these soaps are very strong and can remove your wax. It's probably better put that they can shorten your wax life span, not remove. Is there any truth behind this? I have never noticed any issues, and water is always insanely beading off my truck while I'm there.

Also, whats the deal with the hot wax option? I've used it a couple times but I feel its a waste.

Lastly, any opinions as far as me drying my truck off using a waterless wash spray after using the quarter car wash? I've done this a couple times now that it is getting cold out. Obviously dirt gets left behind after using a quarter car wash, but I feel it is safe to use a waterless wash right after you spray it down well. I have not noticed any new swirls yet. I am keeping an eye out.

For what its worth, my dad actually has gotten to know the owner of the place rather well. My dad says the guy is pretty anal with his stuff as well. Owner drives a black Cadillac. Owner recently told him a spot free rinise will be added. Owner claims he tried it on his car and said it worked. He says he tries all products on his car before installing them to his self serve.

To sum up;
1) Self Serve coin wash soaps/waxes - good, bad, neutral?
2) Do you think me using a waterless wash (adams) is a good idea to aid in safe drying directly have use of using the coin wash?
3)Spot free rinse??

Thanks guys!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: The truth on self serve wash soaps and hot wax?

To sum up;
1) Self Serve coin wash soaps/waxes - good, bad, neutral?
2) Do you think me using a waterless wash (adams) is a good idea to aid in safe drying directly have use of using the coin wash?
3)Spot free rinse??

Thanks guys!

We'll answer your specific questions in order here:

1) Self serve coin op washes are a good idea in your part of the country during the winter. It's those "touchless" drive thru washes that tend to use very heavy detergents and neutralizing rinses to stop the action of the detergent that tend to be a bit scary. Still, when it comes down to the choice between getting the salt off the car or leaving it there, we'd rather take it off even if it takes the wax with it. But at a coin op place you shouldn't have that worry, plus you'll be able to do a better job pressure washing the undercarriage and wheel wells than a drive through touchless ever could.
2) We think it's a great idea - but we'd rather see you use our new Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere for this purpose. It will leave a nice bit of polymer protection behind while aiding you not only in the drying process, but also to remove the last bit of crud left behind from the spray washing. You should be able to pick it up by mid January in local stores.
3) Even if not perfect, it's better than a final rinse with very hard, mineral laden water. If for no other reason than it will make drying the car a bit easier. A true "spotless rinse" would be a deionized water that is totally mineral free and can air dry without causing spotting. It's doubtful that this will be the case here, but even if all they're doing is adding some softening agents into the stream then it can't hurt. How much it will really help is anyone's guess, though.

As a last comment on this overall process: we don't see a lot of benefit in washing the car unless the forecast calls for several days of clear weather. If it's going to snow and thaw, and they're going to salt the roads again in a day, it may almost be better to just leave things alone and suffer through. Repeatedly wetting things and then adding salt to it isn't a great idea, but if you can wash it off and it dries (specifically the undercarriage) then you're good to go. Don't get too wrapped up in it, or too spooked by the weather.

[Murr1525]

Re: The truth on self serve wash soaps and hot wax?

I've rinsed (the water only) off the car for various reasons (load of bird droppings, salt, etc) and then spot free rinsed. Between that and a little driving, it seemed to dry pretty good.

[ChevyNick]

Thanks Mike for the indepth response. I do plan on trying the Meguiars waterless wash product as soon as it comes out. No worries there. As far as my washing frequency goes, I will pretty much only wash when I know the weather will be good for a few days at least. Otherwise like you kind of said, its not really worth it, and it could do more harm than good.

Thanks you murr as well.

[Andy M.]

Re: The truth on self serve wash soaps and hot wax?

I use the coin-op. But I take my own bucket, soap, wash mitt etc. Only use it for the water and also the spot free rinse. Some of those places frown upon you using your own stuff so I try to do it on off hours so I won't hold anyone up.

Andy

[ChevyNick]

Andy M, I have done that before as well, but I always bring a second person so one of us can run the wand and the other the wash mitt.