Car Wash Options

Graybullet · 09-08-2009, 02:23 PM

Ok...what are ways to wash my car when I don't have access to a garage or water hose? I only have access to automated touchless and DYI bays. I have been paying the detailers to wash my car for 2 weeks straight and is getting pretty expensive. What do some of you guys have done in similar situations....and yes I do need to wash it at least once a week because my car is a dd, parked outside, and is exposed to major HI rain/sun.

xiven · 09-08-2009, 02:25 PM

i think some members have done hand wash using the 2 bucket method

Graybullet · 09-08-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiven

i think some members have done hand wash using the 2 bucket method

At the DIY?

xiven · 09-08-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graybullet

At the DIY?

yeah, thats what I do.

Modshack · 09-08-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiven

i think some members have done hand wash using the 2 bucket method

Or one bucket and a cheap Pump up Chemical sprayer (filled with clean water) from Home Depot for the rinse..

Graybullet · 09-08-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiven

yeah, thats what I do.

- Can you describe more...do you bring a bucket and fill it up with the sprayer there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

Or one bucket and a cheap Pump up Chemical sprayer (filled with clean water) from Home Depot for the rinse..

- so I'm guessing rinse with water from pump, soap it, then rinse again, then dry?

xiven · 09-08-2009, 02:57 PM

[QUOTE=Graybullet;190089]- Can you describe more...do you bring a bucket and fill it up with the sprayer there?

yes unless you want to fill it up from home and bring it with you to the car wash but of course that would be a big no no.

fill up both buckets with water, put the soap in one bucket and use the other bucket to rinse the dirty water out of the sponge so that you don't keep using to dirty soap water on your car. i think i'm saying that right.

Modshack · 09-08-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graybullet

- so I'm guessing rinse with water from pump, soap it, then rinse again, then dry?

That's what some of my apartment buddies do..

kannibul · 09-08-2009, 04:14 PM

I (have) taken mine to the manual spray and wash, along with some microfiber towels...to either "wash" the car and get off the road grime that the sprayers can't remove, and/or to dry the car off.

That said, I'd rather do it at home. I can wash my car, then take it in the garage to dry it off and then do whatever from that point.

Personally, I can't imagine owning this car and living in an apartment. Too many asshats who don't care about other people's property.

spearfish25 · 09-08-2009, 04:56 PM

I posted a thread about the pesticide sprayer used as a car wash in the DIY section. I don't think it's stickied, but you can search for it (the 3 gallon car wash).

I bought a 2 gallon sprayer and filled a bucket with soapy water. I use the sprayer to wet the car, the bucket and sponge to clean it, and then the rest of the sprayer to rinse the car off. If doing the rims as well, I refill the sprayer for a better rinse (you'll run out).

Overall it works well and avoids the automated car washes.

dad · 09-08-2009, 05:44 PM

^ pesticide sprayer --That's a good idea!

need4speed · 09-08-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graybullet

- Can you describe more...do you bring a bucket and fill it up with the sprayer there?

- so I'm guessing rinse with water from pump, soap it, then rinse again, then dry?

DON'T USE CHEMICAL SPRAYS ON YOUR NISSAN CLEARCOAT PEARLCOAT OR METALLIC COAT! NISSAN COATS ARE ULTRA SENSATIVE TO CHEMICAL WASHES. U WILL WEAR YOUR PAINT FINISH QUICKLY.

I WOULD JUST USE REGULAR ARMOR ALL CAR WASH SOAP OR ITS EQUIVALENT.
BE careful with your detailers and chem based soap. And no high chem bug removers either!

this goes for ANY nissan vehicle with the above mentioned coats

kdoske · 09-08-2009, 06:39 PM

This is easy, I guess a little immoral though, ask some friends if there apartment complex has a car wash area. If yes then problem solved. If no then find one and use it...

It did this for a year when about 7 years ago. There was an apartment complex right down the street that had one. I would just drive in use the hose and drive out.

Edit:
Then again you are from Hawaii so I would imagine apartment complexes there are pretty hard core about visitors...

kenchan · 09-14-2009, 11:41 AM

or try the Griot's SprayOn CarWash.

was pretty skeptical to try at first, but i use it when i drive my hobby cars through puddles or something and dont need to wash the entire car. works great. no swirls if you do it right.

buy extra towels...and remove their tag completely before use.

Car Care, Detail Supplies, Garage Organization, Car Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789

moegenki · 09-14-2009, 04:16 PM

Definitely look into Optimum No Rinse. You can youtube it or check out reviews @ Autogeekonline Auto Detailing Forum. You can wash an entire vehicle with 1 bucket of water with a grit guard.

09-08-2009, 02:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Graybullet Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hawaii Posts: 82 Drives: 370Z Base/Sports Rep Power: 15	Car Wash Options Ok...what are ways to wash my car when I don't have access to a garage or water hose? I only have access to automated touchless and DYI bays. I have been paying the detailers to wash my car for 2 weeks straight and is getting pretty expensive. What do some of you guys have done in similar situations....and yes I do need to wash it at least once a week because my car is a dd, parked outside, and is exposed to major HI rain/sun.

09-08-2009, 05:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 25	^ pesticide sprayer --That's a good idea! __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

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09-08-2009, 02:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
xiven A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Age: 43 Posts: 4,128 Drives: Cookie Monster Rep Power: 293	i think some members have done hand wash using the 2 bucket method

09-08-2009, 02:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
xiven A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Age: 43 Posts: 4,128 Drives: Cookie Monster Rep Power: 293	[QUOTE=Graybullet;190089]- Can you describe more...do you bring a bucket and fill it up with the sprayer there? yes unless you want to fill it up from home and bring it with you to the car wash but of course that would be a big no no. fill up both buckets with water, put the soap in one bucket and use the other bucket to rinse the dirty water out of the sponge so that you don't keep using to dirty soap water on your car. i think i'm saying that right.

09-08-2009, 04:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 266	I (have) taken mine to the manual spray and wash, along with some microfiber towels...to either "wash" the car and get off the road grime that the sprayers can't remove, and/or to dry the car off. That said, I'd rather do it at home. I can wash my car, then take it in the garage to dry it off and then do whatever from that point. Personally, I can't imagine owning this car and living in an apartment. Too many asshats who don't care about other people's property.

09-08-2009, 04:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I posted a thread about the pesticide sprayer used as a car wash in the DIY section. I don't think it's stickied, but you can search for it (the 3 gallon car wash). I bought a 2 gallon sprayer and filled a bucket with soapy water. I use the sprayer to wet the car, the bucket and sponge to clean it, and then the rest of the sprayer to rinse the car off. If doing the rims as well, I refill the sprayer for a better rinse (you'll run out). Overall it works well and avoids the automated car washes.

09-08-2009, 06:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
kdoske Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 541 Drives: 800whp Unicorn FI Z Rep Power: 16	This is easy, I guess a little immoral though, ask some friends if there apartment complex has a car wash area. If yes then problem solved. If no then find one and use it... It did this for a year when about 7 years ago. There was an apartment complex right down the street that had one. I would just drive in use the hose and drive out. Edit: Then again you are from Hawaii so I would imagine apartment complexes there are pretty hard core about visitors...

09-14-2009, 11:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	or try the Griot's SprayOn CarWash. was pretty skeptical to try at first, but i use it when i drive my hobby cars through puddles or something and dont need to wash the entire car. works great. no swirls if you do it right. buy extra towels...and remove their tag completely before use. Car Care, Detail Supplies, Garage Organization, Car Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789

09-14-2009, 04:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
moegenki Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Somewhere Posts: 2 Drives: GD3 Rep Power: 15	Definitely look into Optimum No Rinse. You can youtube it or check out reviews @ Autogeekonline Auto Detailing Forum. You can wash an entire vehicle with 1 bucket of water with a grit guard.