Coin car wash??

[MrWaxer]

Can some one tell me if the soap at a coin car wash has any ill affects on wax?? I use Hoffmans Car Wash.

[redhotchevy2000]

Re: Coin car wash??

usually coin washes recycle water, with very little filtration, other than that shouldnt be bad.

only problem i have seen is that some places let hydrolic fluid spills leak into the water... not good at all...

i have to use coin washes to, i just wax regularly and boost a lot in between waxings.

[Murr1525]

Re: Coin car wash??

It is usually a strong soap, which will hurt the life of the wax.

[Malo83]

Re: Coin car wash??

Never

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Coin car wash??

When I use the coin washes I avoid the soap spray and the soaping brush entirely I use high pressure "wax" for the pre-rinse, then use my own bucket and soap for the wash, and then use high-pressure wax for a quick rinse, followed by the spot free rinse.

Works great for me in a pinch.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Coin car wash??

About the only time I use those washes is when I am doing the complete process. Claying everything. Then the harsh soap does not bother me at all. I just make sure to rinse the vehicle twice.

[MrWaxer]

Re: Coin car wash??

Thanks for all the info!! I live in NY, So it's getting to cold to wash by hand, My preferred way always. So now I turn to the car wash. And I always hand dry after I'm done.

[akimel]

Re: Coin car wash??

When I use the coin washes I avoid the soap spray and the soaping brush entirely I use high pressure "wax" for the pre-rinse, then use my own bucket and soap for the wash, and then use high-pressure wax for a quick rinse, followed by the spot free rinse.

Mark, let me make sure I understand. You use the wax option for both the pre-rinse and the post-rinse, as opposed to the rinse option?

Al

[Sandstone]

Re: Coin car wash??

I always use them for my Chicago winter washes but I only use the rinse option. I rinse the car, and do one of the following depending on how dirty the car is:

1) use a 2 gal garden sprayer with 2 oz/gal of NXT, rinse, wipe and go.
2) use the two bucket method w/grit guards
3) use a 1 bucket method w/grit guard if it's just too cold

I might try adding a spray of some full strength LT to #1 but I haven't had much luck with using QD or NXT Spray Wax in the cold

I usually use a Cali squeegee on the windows to speed drying since I can't flood. I've tried it on paint with no probs but I'll stick to windows only for sanity sake.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Coin car wash??

Mark, let me make sure I understand. You use the wax option for both the pre-rinse and the post-rinse, as opposed to the rinse option?

Al

Yup

At my wash the "wax" option is nothing more than high-pressure water with a little "wax" mixed in. I use this rather than their potentially harsh soap to do the pre-rinse, then I use my own soap in my buckets for the wash, followed by a quick 30 second run around the car with the high-pressure wax to push the bubbles off, followed by a 1-2 minute rinse with spot-free water top to bottom.

Does that help?

[Ryan L.]

Re: Coin car wash??

I do this sometimes when we go offroading and don't feel like cleaning the driveway or street from all the mud that comes off. Just rinse for a long time and the under body then drive home and wash it and finish up there.

Ryan

[akimel]

Re: Coin car wash??

Yup

At my wash the "wax" option is nothing more than high-pressure water with a little "wax" mixed in. I use this rather than their potentially harsh soap to do the pre-rinse, then I use my own soap in my buckets for the wash, followed by a quick 30 second run around the car with the high-pressure wax to push the bubbles off, followed by a 1-2 minute rinse with spot-free water top to bottom.

Does that help?

Thanks. I'll have to check to see what the options are at my local coin-op--not of course that I am admitting that I will under any circumstances take my car to it ...

[CharlesW]

Re: Coin car wash??

Thanks for all the info!! I live in NY, So it's getting to cold to wash by hand, My preferred way always. So now I turn to the car wash. And I always hand dry after I'm done.

Just a heads up.
None of the DIY or Touchless washes I have used leave my vehicles clean enough to touch them with a drying towel. All of them leave a film of dirt and dragging that over your paint can't be good.

[new2detailing]

Re: Coin car wash??

@Mark Kleis: Good tip. I'll will have to try that

If I use a coin-op car wash (I'll admit that I will do that in the wintertime). I never use the brush. I usually use the pre-wash, soap, high pressure rinse, then air dryer. Immediately, I then apply either Quik Wax. This is usually my winter routine and then I will deal with the proper detailing when the weather breaks. I find doing the final detail before the cold months using a good wax with spray wax touch ups help in not having road grime adhere to the paint.

[MrWaxer]

Re: Coin car wash??

The wash I use has no "wax" ,they have what they call a 2 step sealant. It's a yellow and purple foam or rain x. I use the high pressure soap first and then after thoroughly rinsing there foam brush, wash and rinse. Then dry by hand.