Car Wash in California Drought
 

As California dries up and shrivels away, I can expect group showers and dirt deposits for a front lawn.

Back to my issue, since Jerry Brown has imposed a mandatory water conservation plan, my town has decided to back his proposal. Not only are those $500 fines for wasting water in your driveway not a myth, but my neighbor got one yesterday.

If I am going to expense $500, it is going to be on a cold air intake! :shakes head:

What are my fellow Californians going to do when it comes to car washing?

I didn't know Simi is backing this... I wash my car @ my house all the time.

I always thought it was more of a scare tactic, but sure enough my neighbor got a citation from a citizen patrol vehicle. I live right in the center of simi near regal, so I guess I'm closer to the police station anyway.

You are right around the corner from me. Thanks for the heads up I guess

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I've seen a few Zs in the area but they are driven by older women! I'm surprised I never see yours!

As someone who lives in an apartment and doesn't have access to a hose/water, I'm in the same boat.

Amazon.com: Griot's Garage 11066 Spray-On Car Wash - 1 Gallon: Automotive

I've been using this waterless car wash and it's pretty awesome. If the car is really dirty, you are still going to have to use water to get the big stuff off, but this is great to use to keep the car clean without wasting water.

What about water less car wash products?
My only idea is, maybe try to get a good wash/wax on the car ASAP (under the radar) and try to maintain that wax so you can limit the need to wash the car often.

F the Drought!!! I will get my shine on.

It seems the restriction is not to prohibit washing cars in driveways but using hoses with no shutoff nozzles.

GRAPHIC: California Water-Use Restrictions | NBC Southern California

So I'm going to continue to wash my car whenever I feel it is needed :)

My city doesn't have the restrictions yet, I will wash more efficiently though and probably go a little longer in between washes

waterless wash is your ticket per BC416 already posted. thats wat i use.

i dont have drought issues here in the north, but even so, i dont hose wash my dd's these days other than the initial rinse this time of year to wash off the salt.

hell, ive only washed my Z like 3x since taking ownership. lol

This is the rule in place in Valencia. If you use a power washer, even better. Way more efficient. If it gets really bad, I'll load up my washer, hose, suds, towels, and gear and start washing my car in some random neighbors driveway while they're at work. :D

Wash your car in Palos Verdes, I see tens of thousands of gallons thrown away by CalTrans.

I almost never wash my car... So... I kinda dgaf

one way to make your car appear nicer even while kinda dirty is to dress your tires. i do this often on my dd.

Car wash meet up at Andrew's? Count me in!:happydance:

Step #1) spit on car.
Step #2) in a circular motion wipe with a hella dry rag.

I cannot pull off the off road look.:stirthepot:

Another option is to go to a self service carwash after hours and bring your own bucket and sponges

Hooefully it doesn't come to that!

Damn guys. This really sucks for car enthusiasts in Cali.

If it helps any. I have my Z in a garage that has no water access.

I still wash my car in my garage because I do not like going to car washes.

My system is this:

1. I am a little nuts so I carry about 3-4 gallons of water into my garage. I have a military style backpack with a 60-80 pound load weight. So I can actually fit the jugs in there and still have my hands free.

2. I bought a 2 gallon lawn sprayer that I keep in the garage. Like this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Smith-190216-2...gallon+sprayer

3. I usually can give my car a good wash with less than 3 gallons of water. Sprayer has adjustable nozzle and gives off low but still usable pressure.

4. 3-4 gallons will fill up both my wash bucket and sprayer sufficiently. I usually save a little water for an extra rinse cycle.

Overall, the process had served me well in my year plus of ownership. The only real pain in the *** is how many people want to lug around 4 gallons of water.

Since my garage is not next to where I live. I actually have to lug my gallons of water around on public transit, and scare people because I make sloshing sounds when I walk.

But F them I love my car and I like to wash it in peace and quiet so it is worth the effort.

I tried waterless wash but still wasn't comfortable with process and results.

My way would work for you if you could find a little privacy so you don't get ratted on by the neighbors. You also get to keep track of exactly how much water you are using so to some extent you aren't completely ignoring the water crisis.

The only downside to how I do things is that I can only do a nice two bucket wash when you want to transport extra water around, or make multiple water drop off trips on consecutive days prior to wash and detail day.

So residents use 2% of the water and we're the ones that are fined? Sounds like ******** to me.... I use a power washer though. Doesn't use much water at all. It's 1.6 gallons per minute max so I probably have more water in the two 5 gallon buckets (not filled all the way, mind you) than I use actually spraying the car down.

Wow, you sir are the hero for today

Lol at picturing you on the bus with water jugs and people staring at you :tup:

I usually wash my car at the serf serve car washes after hours. I bring my own buckets, mitts, brushes, and a cordless leaf blower for drying. Costs me about $3-4 dollars and I take as long as I needed :D

Ha Ha. It is a weird thing to have to make a trip to visit your car, but is has enhanced the bonding experience.

Being in the heart of a major city is challenging for a car nut, but if you really want something you will always find a way to make it happen.

Hopefully, our other Z friends in the drought affected areas will also come up with their own solutions to the water restriction challenge.