cisforchooch

So I'm doing the lesser-known move from Cali to Chicago next month, and I'm wondering what most of you who live in apartments in metropolitan areas do about washing your car? My last apartment complex in Cali had a hose on the curb that was available for tenants' use, but my new place doesn't.

Are those coin car washes any good? I just need running water, and I'm perfectly happy doing the rest on my own. Thanks for your input.

lone_wolf025

Move from SoCal to Chitown? Wow...yea I'd say that's lesser known alright...

I can't speak for apartment residents, but the coin car washes are kinda sub-par. Most of the time they don't allow bucket washing and even then the way the things work just forces you to add more money just to get the darned thing clean.

Btw what area of Chicago? You gonna be a north or south sider?

New Yorker

I live in an apartment in the city, with no practical way of washing the car myself.

The "coin car washes" are okay, assuming there's one around (seems like I see fewer of them every year). But they're a lot of work—if you're **** about your car, you don't want to use their brush, so you need to bring a bucket or two and your own sponges and towels.

If you can swing the extra bucks, the option I like is to find a "hand car wash", where your car isn't touched by automatic car wash brushes. You still have to worry about whether the rags they're using are free of dirt so you don't get scratches. There's a hand car wash not far from me for about $7/wash, plus tip.

The best option, of course, is just access to a hose and a driveway, which you might end up having once you've made friends (who live in the 'burbs) in your new hometown.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Us detailers call it QEW. I love to use it when i don't have a source of water. It has great lubrication also.

http://www.protectall.com/qelg.htm


If you're going to do a coin wash... Bring your own bucket and wash mitts. Don't even consider using their chemicals or brushes.

Silver_Surfer

I had a problem like that at school(Dorm). Buckets of water & sponges, one pannel at a time.

von Richtofen

Many coin-op car washes don't allow "bucket washing" anymore. They get in your face if they catch you. I guess if the water's not running, they're not making enough money!

laythor

No, it's all about them getting nailed if you're dumping anything down their drains. It's stupid but they're on the hook for big money if you "accidently" pour oil or such into their system.

As for free access to hoses and a place to wash try this:

Behind grocery stores.. they usually have hoses out there to clean up anyway

Strip malls... tons of shops and no one knows who works where, so you'll blend in

Houses for sale... if you go during the week and later in the evening it'll be empty and there's usually a hose lying around

ec_nyx

I am very interested in using one of these waterless or rinseless car wash methods. I also live in an apartment area. This sounds like a really good option. Do you wax the car after using this product as well? Can you post a quick procedure of what you do? What other products out there would you recommend?

Thanks!!

Spinning Sushi

iTrader: (21)

I live in an apartment, I haven't washed my car in like three weeks! I use to go to those coin washes and only use the rinse and soap options. I never let anything they have there for cleaning touch my car besides the Rinse/Spray gun. I use my own supplies to scrub the car clean and wax.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

You just pour a little bit in a bucket (preferably a 5 gallon bucket of water). Get a good quality mitt like a lambs wool wash mitts. Dip the mitt in the bucket of solution and gently slide the mitts on the car starting from top to bottom (roof, window area, hood, doors, etc). Of course, after each panel you rinse the mitt and repeat. after you're done washing the whole car. get a very soft brush and dip it in the remaining solution and start scrubbing your wheels and tires with it. WHen you're done, grab a microfiber towel (i only use microfibers, no cottons) and dry your car from the top down. I wouldn't use the same mitt or towel you use on the body for the wheels because you don't know what sort of grit the wheels have (don't want it to embed into the towel/mitt and start rubbing on your paint like a sandpaper).

It'll depend on you if you want to wax or not. I would advise waxing since it will give your car protection and a somewhat better shine. Since you're already out tehre washing your car, might as well wax it. If you're going to buy something off the counter (auto parts stores), get Meguairs NXT Tech Wax or Mother's new SYnwax. I believe those are one of the best off the counter waxes (they're actually synthetic sealants, not natural waxes) you can get right now. Again, you can use a microtowel (i have boxes and boxes of them ) and fold it up so it becomes an applicator. Apply the wax on two clean panels and use another clean microfiber towel and buff it. Do not buff in circles, apply and buff vertically or horizontally, follow how the wind blows on the car. There's no need to let the wax/sealant bake in the sun since NXT and Synwax are the type of sealants that you can "wipe on wipe off". Be sure to label your towels specifically for each job because once you use the towels to polish (wax/sealant or polish), it won't soak up water. So label the towels the towels you used for buffing seperately from the ones you use to dry/wash the car.

I feel that this should be one of the regular maintenance routines for every car on the road. Everybody wants their car to look as new as possible and this is one of the ways to do it (of course you upgrade and use many steps to make your car's finish basically as flawless as it can be). Many of the items can be brought online, i buy most if not all of my products online. There is also a great forum for detailers and people who want to learn about detailing (keeping their finish clean and protected). You can visit www.autopia.org , you can read about the articles in the "LEARN" section, discuss in the forum, and read reviews on products.

Silver_Mazda09

If I have to use the Coin wash machines, I go around midnight, nobody around, and use my bucket. Seems to work fine for me. I always get somebody doing the same thing too, then I make a new friend! haha!

Raptor2k

A product that will help you immensely for such car washes is Eagle One's Bucket-Free Car Wash bottle spray.

User24

iTrader: (1)

Two weeks ago I drove from California to Illinois.

The bucket method can be used no matter what living condition. In a garage, on the street, in a parking lot. I use Optimum No Rinse.

If driving, don't forget to pack a bucket and mitt etc. to get rid of the bugs on the front on a daily basis. I was so busy after arrival, that I had the bugs on for two weeks out in the sun, and no wash method could remove them except for slow claybar extraction. I was used to a garage and Zaino and assumed the bugs would just sort of slide or flake off with some Z6 applied within 24-48 hours... wasn't the case after two weeks.

On the drive, I had problems accelerating at the peak elevation somewhere in Colorado...

ivory8

if you have em...terble herbes (spelling?) does a 35$ detail which they do a quick run through an automatic car wash, then they hand dry then wax/shine rims and tires. It also comes with a vacuum & armoral wipe down of the interior (I pass on the armoral)...i did it 2 weeks ago and the car looks like it was washed just the other day, its a great deal imo...if u can find a terble herbes.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

LOL, i wouldn't trust any place that uses armorall...

ivory8

thats why i pass on the armoral, it ruins the interior...makes it all shiny and ugly

Astral

Google the interwebs for a QEW tutorial:

http://autopia.org/forum/hall-fame/3...-part-1-a.html
http://www.tauruscarclub.com/wiki/in...ick_Easy_Wash)

I hand-wash my car in the winter without a hose using the above method. I've done it in 34 degree weather. I wish I knew about this when I lived in a city apartment, as I could've been hand-washing my last car as well.

Once you wash properly using this product, you have a clean car, so you can proceed to do what you usually do with a clean car: clay, wax, etc.

Alternatives to ProtectAll Quick & Easy Wash: Optimum No-Rinse Car Wash (I have this, and while it seems marginally better in terms of washing, it also seems to release the dirt a lot less from the mitt.. so no longer a fan), Detailer's Pride 4-in-1 Wash (I have never tried this, but will try this winter).

I also recommend Meguiar's #21 for a long-lasting nice-looking sealant with some basic cleaning properties, also very easy to apply and remove. You'll like the results.

In my limited experience with Meg's NXT, I'm not a fan of it, as it doesn't have the longevity that I'm looking for (plus it's harder to buff out).

tony_673

My friend lives in an apartment in Phoenix, AZ. They don't allow car washing in the parking lot.


He pays Mexican's to clean his Evo......really . They run a carwash right down the road from him.


Hope this helps.

User24

iTrader: (1)

I find Illinois less dusty than California, but lots of bugs on the front instead. And lots of rain, mud, and gravel. So, adjust for less dusting and more deep-down cleaning.

Also, all the roads are cracked. There is a horizontal crack in the pavement every 3 feet on streets up to 50 mph. Makes for a bumpy ride.

rovic

I do the same as if I had a hose but use a bucket. Rinse to take off the initial dirt layer, soap, then rinse.

The QEW looks kewl for light cleaning but I'd be reluctant to use it when stuff really gets stuck on like mud, or bugs, or lots of bird crap. Using one bucket seems like your washing and rinsing with dirty water.

Using stuff like Klasse AIO and SG will help dirt from sticking to your car, making cleaning easier. Zaino is another alternative.