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Washing my car

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  • #1

    Washing my car

    Greetings again! Since I live in an apartment/condo complex and have no access to a water hose, coin operated manual car washes are my only option (besides 'brush-less' automatic washes). But the cost of weekly washing is getting prohibitive. Which brings me to the subject of bucket washing.

    I know all about the 'Two bucket process', and I'm familiar with Meg's Gold Class Wash, which I've used in the past. I've managed to save up several clean five-gallon buckets and plan on filling them with water and then dumping contents in strategic places on my car to loosen dirt, use two bucket process to wash, and then finish rinsing with more water buckets. Tedious, I know. But MUCH cheaper than spending $8 to $10 a week at the nearest coin op wash.

    Theoretically, with the money I save, I can buy more 'stuff' for my car. Y'know, even MORE waxes, MF towels, clay bar kits, etc. ROFL

    Do you think that this process is sufficient, or should I use the high pressure washer at the coin op place to loosen dirt, and then continue bucket washing at my condo?

    Anyone have any thoughts, opinions or advice on this process? Or did I just answer my own question?
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  • #2
    Re: Washing my car

    You might want to look at one of the waterless washes, like the Ult. Wash and Wax Anywhere, or perhaps better for your case is the Rinseless Wash in the Pro Line.

    You could always pressure wash first if things were bad.

    And then just a spray wax or something after if you wanted.
    2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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    • #3
      Re: Washing my car

      Thanks again Murr! Y'know, the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that I did indeed answer my own question. But I WILL take your advice regarding Meg's auto washes. I'll have to look into them for more info.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Washing my car

        The UWWA is very good stuff and if you use it once per week, you can easily get away with 3-4 washes per bottle. Check out my review here: Review: Ultimate Wash and Wax Anywhere
        Tedrow's Detailing
        845-642-1698
        Treat Yourself to that New Car Feeling

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        • #5
          $8-$10 a week at the coin op?? Dang how many times do you go there a week? Is it expensive? Sorry to go crazy over that lol, its just I can usually wash my truck at the coin op for $5.

          But yeah i would look into a waterless wash like suggested by the previous posts.
          Always searching for the best.... Keep it country!
          ---------
          SkiDoo Snowmobiles!

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          • #6
            Re: Washing my car

            I was in a similar situation not that long ago - condo parking, no access to a water hose. I went with ONR (Optimum No Rinse - at that time, Meg's didn't have a product in this market yet), and liked it so much, I now prefer it over conventional washes (which I can now do as we've moved to a different house). I'd definitely recommend ONR or the the new Meguiar's Rinse-Free wash. Oh, and no need for all those buckets of water to rinse the car -if you're particularly worried about dirt, just do a pre-spray with the product at a higher concentration to help soften and loosen any dirt on the car prior to your actual wash.
            Francis

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            • #7
              Re: Washing my car

              +1 on ONR. I live in an apartment too (in fact, I had asked a similar question on this forum several months ago and was suggested ONR). I use ONR for my weekly washing. A gallon costs $40, and you can do about 100+ washes with it. I love it - I don't think I am going to the coin-op again unless my car is so dirty that I need to pre-rinse it before using ONR.

              Another option is Megs Rinse-free Express Wash - similar concept as ONR. I have not used it, so cannot comment on the effectiveness, but its is getting decent reviews on this forum and autogeekonline.
              A n00b detailer on shoe-string budget
              http://n00bdetailer.blogspot.com/
              ----

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              • #8
                Re: Washing my car

                wow, i feel fortunate that the apartment where i live has 2 free indoor car wash bays that even let you use hot water, and our water is crazy hot!

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                • #9
                  Re: Washing my car

                  Whether you use ONR or Express Wash, do you dry with microfiber towels or can you use Meg's Water Magnet?

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                  • #10
                    Re: Washing my car

                    I use Vikings Waffle Weave towel which I bought from Amazon for $10. Its very similar to the Water Magnet, but a bit larger. Some people here use two towels (a waffle weave and a plush MF, in most cases)..
                    A n00b detailer on shoe-string budget
                    http://n00bdetailer.blogspot.com/
                    ----

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                    • #11
                      Re: Washing my car

                      Either pat dry with a waffle-weave, or wipe dry with plush MF towels. One trick that works well is to use two plush towels for drying - soak your first towel in ONR solution, and then wring it out - the damp towel works really well in picking up most of the left-over wash solution from the paint. Then, follow-up with the second plush towel (which you leave dry) - you can use a QD or spray wax during this step.
                      Francis

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                      • #12
                        Re: Washing my car

                        Originally posted by ChevyNick View Post
                        $8-$10 a week at the coin op?? Dang how many times do you go there a week? Is it expensive? Sorry to go crazy over that lol, its just I can usually wash my truck at the coin op for $5.

                        But yeah i would look into a waterless wash like suggested by the previous posts.
                        I don't like to rush or be rushed when washing my "baby". Plus I also wash/wax my wife's car, which oddly enough, is a Fit as well. An '11 Sport A/T to be exact.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Washing my car

                          I've done much web browsing the past week and have found waterless washes by Chemical Guys and Blackfire as well. No doubt there are more. But since Optimum ONR (I think) has been around the longest and has many great reviews, I will be going with that product. Yeegads, yet MORE auto detailing supplies.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Washing my car

                            Whoa, check this baby out!

                            http://www.autogeek.net/nomad-portable-power-cleaner.html

                            Never thought that this was available. Goodbye coin op car washes! LOL

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                            • #15
                              Re: Washing my car

                              Originally posted by rossmeister View Post
                              Whoa, check this baby out!

                              http://www.autogeek.net/nomad-portable-power-cleaner.html

                              Never thought that this was available. Goodbye coin op car washes! LOL
                              Ordered!

                              Comment

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