For us apartment or condo dwellers...

[camarosoonerguy]

...that are usually barred from washing our cars in the parking lots, I was curious as to what your washing/waxing routine is. I have had my 1SS since July and also live in condo.

I've been trying a multitude of things with mixed success. Usually I go to a self service coin place with a high pressure wand washer. That works out okay for quick wash offs but for anything that requires some effort these simply don't work. I'm also not so sure all of those "soaps" they claim are used in the water are worth jack.

With a clear bra I absolutely refuse to go to an automatic one, especially with all of those spinning brushes. And truthfully I'm not big on the full service washes either.

Would be interested to get some thoughts.

[scythezo6]

Originally Posted by camarosoonerguy

...that are usually barred from washing our cars in the parking lots, I was curious as to what your washing/waxing routine is. I have had my 1SS since July and also live in condo.

I've been trying a multitude of things with mixed success. Usually I go to a self service coin place with a high pressure wand washer. That works out okay for quick wash offs but for anything that requires some effort these simply don't work. I'm also not so sure all of those "soaps" they claim are used in the water are worth jack.

With a clear bra I absolutely refuse to go to an automatic one, especially with all of those spinning brushes. And truthfully I'm not big on the full service washes either.

Would be interested to get some thoughts.

That's your best bet! Take 2 buckets and your own soap and simple use the station for the water. I used to do this on base. I would pack up towels to wash, my absorber, my own car soap and a couple buckets. I would fill up my buckets in the restroom at the sink (save the coin water for the car). I'd drop in the minimum money to get the machine powered on, spray off the car with the hi press water, foam it down then rinse it (this knocks off most dirt and large particles). I would let the time tick down after that and just wash by hand with my own towels and soap. Add some coins. Spray off the the foaming brush and use the 'cleaned' foaming brush to clean the rims. Rinse the whole car down then dry it off. Go over the car with some detail spray and a clean micro fiber and your done.

[Milk 1027]

Originally Posted by scythezo6

That's your best bet! Take 2 buckets and your own soap and simple use the station for the water. I used to do this on base. I would pack up towels to wash, my absorber, my own car soap and a couple buckets. I would fill up my buckets in the restroom at the sink (save the coin water for the car). I'd drop in the minimum money to get the machine powered on, spray off the car with the hi press water, foam it down then rinse it (this knocks off most dirt and large particles). I would let the time tick down after that and just wash by hand with my own towels and soap. Add some coins. Spray off the the brush and use the foaming brush to clean the rims. Rinse the whole car down then dry it off. Go over the car with some detail spray and a clean micro fiber and your done.

[CamaroDreams07]

Originally Posted by scythezo6

That's your best bet! Take 2 buckets and your own soap and simple use the station for the water. I used to do this on base. I would pack up towels to wash, my absorber, my own car soap and a couple buckets. I would fill up my buckets in the restroom at the sink (save the coin water for the car). I'd drop in the minimum money to get the machine powered on, spray off the car with the hi press water, foam it down then rinse it (this knocks off most dirt and large particles). I would let the time tick down after that and just wash by hand with my own towels and soap. Add some coins. Spray off the the foaming brush and use the 'cleaned' foaming brush to clean the rims. Rinse the whole car down then dry it off. Go over the car with some detail spray and a clean micro fiber and your done.

That's what I do. But I wouldn't ever touch the foam brush for ANY part of the car. The wheels are painted and cleared too and can scratch just like the rest of the car. Use a wash mitt/pad for the car and then a small microfiber towel or boar's hair brush for the wheels.

[w[h]o]

or go to ur friends/parents house and use their water and driveway

[David79z28]

What about using optimum no rinse. Knock the big stuff off at a car wash, move to a covered area and wash with a bucket of ONR. Dry as you go.

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

This stuff is super slick and a little goes a long way.

I have a garage and I still use it a lot.....

[thorn]

Originally Posted by David79z28

What about using optimum no rinse. Knock the big stuff off at a car wash, move to a covered area and wash with a bucket of ONR. Dry as you go.

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

This stuff is super slick and a little goes a long way.

I have a garage and I still use it a lot.....

+1
I usually do this on cold or very hot days in my garage. Works great. All you need is 2 buckets, one with the wash and one with plain water, 2 gallons in each. A wash mitt/towel and a drying towel and go to town.

[midnighter]

Nothing like home ownership I tell ya.

[kiteman]

+1 for optimum no rinse. fill a bucket in your apartment with water, add the ONR, and then walk out to your car. you don't need anymore water, and there is no need for 2 buckets. the ONR has polymers in it which keep dirt from scratching your paint when you wash. i live in a home and still use ONR. it is revolutionary stuff.

[camarosoonerguy]

Thanks folks for the tips. I was hiding from earthquakes so I couldn't responsed until now.

Originally Posted by kiteman

+1 for optimum no rinse. fill a bucket in your apartment with water, add the ONR, and then walk out to your car. you don't need anymore water, and there is no need for 2 buckets. the ONR has polymers in it which keep dirt from scratching your paint when you wash. i live in a home and still use ONR. it is revolutionary stuff.

Hmm, I'm intrigued. Never heard of the stuff but if it works it would be perfect. Would I still need a grit catcher at the bottom of the bucket? How good is it getting off the stuck-on crap (bird poop, etc.)?

[camarosoonerguy]

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07

That's what I do. But I wouldn't ever touch the foam brush for ANY part of the car. The wheels are painted and cleared too and can scratch just like the rest of the car. Use a wash mitt/pad for the car and then a small microfiber towel or boar's hair brush for the wheels.

Just curious. A have A LOT of brake dust on my wheels after about a week, and I found out very quickly that I was ruining my microfiber towels when wiping them down. So I've been using terry cotton with a lot more success. Will this start scratching my rims over the long run?

[kiteman]

Originally Posted by camarosoonerguy

Thanks folks for the tips. Had to check out for a few days so couldn't see the responses.



Hmm, I'm intrigued. Never heard of the stuff but if it works it would be perfect. Would I still need a grit catcher at the bottom of the bucket? How good is it getting off the stuck-on crap (bird poop, etc.)?

i'm a longhorn so i can't help you anymore

because it contains polymers that lift debris off of your car, you don't need any grit catcher. the ONR is made to be used with one bucket without a fear of scratching your paint.

if you really want to increase protection, get a thing of the optimum car wax. you mix a shot of ONR and a shot of OCW in a bucket and you're all set. it will apply the wax while you wash.

[CamaroDreams07]

Originally Posted by camarosoonerguy

Just curious. A have A LOT of brake dust on my wheels after about a week, and I found out very quickly that I was ruining my microfiber towels when wiping them down. So I've been using terry cotton with a lot more success. Will this start scratching my rims over the long run?

No you'll be OK with terry cloth. What do you mean by ruining? Just discoloring? Don't use super nice microfiber on the wheels. Use cheap ones. If they get discolored then just clean them with some all-purpose cleaner.

I love a boar's hair brush for this though. It really gets in places you can't with the cloth.

[CamaroDreams07]

Originally Posted by kiteman

i'm a longhorn so i can't help you anymore

because it contains polymers that lift debris off of your car, you don't need any grit catcher. the ONR is made to be used with one bucket without a fear of scratching your paint.

if you really want to increase protection, get a thing of the optimum car wax. you mix a shot of ONR and a shot of OCW in a bucket and you're all set. it will apply the wax while you wash.

I would still highly recommend a grit guard and two buckets for ONR. It is great stuff, but it's not a miracle. Also, it should only be used on moderately soiled panels. If you have any heavy dirt or mud, forget it.