Self Serve Bay Washing

[H0NDA]

OK, So here's the deal. I'm pretty much fed up with car washes. First let me say That I don't go to automatic carwashes because of all the stories from in here, and from all the scratches my wife�s 04 Corolla has from ALWAYS going to the automatic wash.

I have always been a hand wash person because I know there is nothing better. But I have since moved to an apartment and am no longer in a position where I have a driveway to wash my Pilot. So I have no choice but to go to a car wash. But whenever I am finished with the wash, I dry it with my absorber and by the time I'm finished, the absorber has turned from green to dark brown. That's how ridiculously dirty my Pilot is AFTER washing it. I was about to use the wash brush that is in the self serve bay, but then found a post here saying that's a bad idea because of all the crap that's in the brushes (dirt and whatnot). So for those of you that are like me and use self serve, how the heck do you get your pilot clean!

Someone should open a car wash where you can pay a small flat fee and hand wash your car with a gold ole sponge and hose at your leisure.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by H0NDA
OK, So here's the deal. I'm pretty much fed up with car washes. First let me say That I don't go to automatic carwashes because of all the stories from in here, and from all the scratches my wife�s 04 Corolla has from ALWAYS going to the automatic wash.

I have always been a hand wash person because I know there is nothing better. But I have since moved to an apartment and am no longer in a position where I have a driveway to wash my Pilot. So I have no choice but to go to a car wash. But whenever I am finished with the wash, I dry it with my absorber and by the time I'm finished, the absorber has turned from green to dark brown. That's how ridiculously dirty my Pilot is AFTER washing it. I was about to use the wash brush that is in the self serve bay, but then found a post here saying that's a bad idea because of all the crap that's in the brushes (dirt and whatnot). So for those of you that are like me and use self serve, how the heck do you get your pilot clean!

Someone should open a car wash where you can pay a small flat fee and hand wash your car with a gold ole sponge and hose at your leisure.

We've got a bunch of touchless car washes in this area. They actually do quite a good job.

[whizmo]

I'd find a good professional, relatively new car wash that charges and has people around doing the drying and touchups - not a totally automated one in which you get a free wash with a fillup. Pay what it costs. Accept that your paint will pick up an occasional scratch. Take it to a detailer every six-months for a good buff/wax.

This is one of those things were being a fanatic is just going to generate a lot of stomach acid.

Whizmo

[onu2002]

When I lived in an apartment, I'd go to the carwash at night, like 11:00, and use a bucket and sponge. Even though there was a sign that clearly said bucket washing was prohibited, I figured I was okay cuz there was no one else waiting on me. If you don't trust the soap that the carwash uses, take your own. Use the pressure washer to rinse the car and fill your bucket, wash the car with your sponge, then rinse the car with the pressure washer.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by whizmo
I'd find a good professional, relatively new car wash that charges and has people around doing the drying and touchups - not a totally automated one in which you get a free wash with a fillup. Pay what it costs. Accept that your paint will pick up an occasional scratch. Take it to a detailer every six-months for a good buff/wax.

This is one of those things were being a fanatic is just going to generate a lot of stomach acid.

Whizmo

All the professional brushless (cloth only) car washes around here employ 2 people to attack you car with brushes to get the bumpers really clean. It results in multiple scratches and gouges.

[ericsgr]

Yep, I will NEVER go to one of those places where they have two kids out there with a towel waiting to scratch the hell out of your nice clean car. I have even seen them bust off pieces from the dash (i.e. the knob that sticks out to set the odometer etc) with a rag because they were just trying to move so fast and not being careful.
I agree with the OP. I do the same thing. I go to the spray washes and when I *think* I am done I am wiping the car and there is STILL dirt all over the place ........so frustrating. My Pilot is black too so it is really really hard to get it to look clean but it shouldnt be THIS hard. I thought the same thing last time I went there. "Well........guess I will have to use the brush next time". I dont see any other way it will really get clean. The high pressure water certainly doesnt do it.

[waynerd]

Way back in the day when I was an apartment dweller (with a black pick-up, to boot) I used to do what onu2002 did.

DON'T USE THAT BRUSH! Who know who's engine or pig truck that was last used on.

Now, in the winter, I go to a brushless wash with cloth "strips". They use water wands to spray off as much stuff as they can before you go in. It actually does a pretty good job. The minor swirls and stuff easily come out when I clay and wax and start hand-washing in the spring.

[Sunday Rider]

I take a few seconds and use the high pressure washer to wash the brush. The self serve car wash I go to, has soap coming out of the brush. You turn it on, let it go for a while before turning the pressure washer on. As the soap dribbles out you blast the brush clean.I put the brush in front of the closest riml, so at least something is getting cleaned, and you can see when the runoff from the brush is clean.

I have yet to get it clean in the brushless automatic washes (I got some tickets in my Christmas stocking)

[jwaters943]

I live in a Condo and this is what I do.....

Find your nearest high-quality touchless car wash. This method can be used in either a self service bay or an automated toucless wash bay w/ blow dryers. Bring 2-3 large and soft microfiber towels and Meguiar's Quick Detailing Spray (Griot's Garage detailing spray is very good too). Clean the car with the high-pressure rinse, soap, clearcoat protectant, spot-free rinse, etc. (never use the brush unless you don't mind your car getting scratched). Once you are done with the major "cleaning" of the vehicle, start by drying the windows and top 2/3rds of your vehicle with 1-2 of the towels (these parts of your car are less dirty and should have no problem getting clean with the pressure washing unless it's been a long time since your last car wash). Spray the areas that may have some residual dirt left over, such as the fenders and lower body panels, with the detail spray and then wipe dry. This will act as a lubricant and prevent you from scratching your vehicle while drying.

It's worth noting that if you have a good self-service car wash you shouldn't typically need to use very much of the detailing spray in the summer months. In the winter, when your vehicle has accumulated sand/salt from the roads, more detailing spray may be necessary to get your car clean and prevent scratching the clearcoat.

[paw5306]

Originally posted by H0NDA
OK, So here's the deal. I'm pretty much fed up with car washes. First let me say That I don't go to automatic carwashes because of all the stories from in here, and from all the scratches my wife�s 04 Corolla has from ALWAYS going to the automatic wash.

I have always been a hand wash person because I know there is nothing better. But I have since moved to an apartment and am no longer in a position where I have a driveway to wash my Pilot. So I have no choice but to go to a car wash. But whenever I am finished with the wash, I dry it with my absorber and by the time I'm finished, the absorber has turned from green to dark brown. That's how ridiculously dirty my Pilot is AFTER washing it. I was about to use the wash brush that is in the self serve bay, but then found a post here saying that's a bad idea because of all the crap that's in the brushes (dirt and whatnot). So for those of you that are like me and use self serve, how the heck do you get your pilot clean!

Someone should open a car wash where you can pay a small flat fee and hand wash your car with a gold ole sponge and hose at your leisure.

I feel for you. My last two cars never saw an automated car wash. For one thing, the majority of them recycle their water -- you ever notice how their water smells "funny?"
If you can afford it, take it to a detail shop for a wash and interior vacuum.