How bad is coin op car wash water? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Quicksilver2SS · 04-13-2019, 05:57 PM

The coin op car washes recycle the water (except for the low pressure final rinse I've read).

So how bad is it for the cars paint to use recycled water?

I usually do waterless washes (apartment dweller), but occasionally it would make things easier with a high pressure pre rinse to knock off the dust.

Thanks!

CamaroJim56 · 04-14-2019, 10:49 AM

I can't imagine there is anything wrong with it, but I am sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

HAMBO · 04-15-2019, 02:14 PM

My guess is it's way safer than waterless washing for anything beyond light dust. When I lived in an apartment I used a coin op frequently to rinse of the car before a doing a rinseless wash back at home.

Quicksilver2SS · 04-15-2019, 03:46 PM

Thanks!

CamaroFred · 04-15-2019, 05:41 PM

Automatic washes recycle too. It is supposed to be filtered, of course.
Usually the water commission requires that, they can't handle the amount of water and waste otherwise.

Ready-mix plants recycle the water (and sand and stone) from left-over mix, though I would be leery about washing a car with that.

Silveradoss573 · 04-15-2019, 11:59 PM

I've never seen anything bad with the car washes I use around my area. My thoughts are you're fine and have nothing to worry about but don't use the scrub brushes.

SSEssence · 04-16-2019, 11:48 AM

I use coin op washes all the time, just never the brush, luckily mine has high pressure soap

Davij217 · 04-16-2019, 12:24 PM

Depends on the softener.

Joe M 2012 2SS · 04-18-2019, 07:38 AM

The water from the pay & spray car washes can leave water spots if left to dry.
If your just wanting to knock whatever loose contaminates on the surface before doing a waterless wash, that is fine.
However a Rinseless wash would be a much safer option for your paint.

The soap used at the Pay & sprays is generally cheap non ph-neutral, and will strip wax/sealant so I'd avoid it.

Get yourself some good microfibers and a couple 5 gallon buckets with lids, and do a rinseless.

ZEN357 · 04-18-2019, 09:01 AM

As long as it doesn't have brushes I would say you are okay.

04-13-2019, 05:57 PM	#1
Quicksilver2SS Drives: 2SS/RS LS3 NPP Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sacramento Posts: 227	How bad is coin op car wash water? The coin op car washes recycle the water (except for the low pressure final rinse I've read). So how bad is it for the cars paint to use recycled water? I usually do waterless washes (apartment dweller), but occasionally it would make things easier with a high pressure pre rinse to knock off the dust. Thanks! __________________ Taylor 409's, BF Comp 2's, Z26 pads, Hurst billet shifter

04-14-2019, 10:49 AM	#2
CamaroJim56 Obsessed Drives: 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS RS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,603	I can't imagine there is anything wrong with it, but I am sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in. __________________ 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS

04-15-2019, 02:14 PM	#3
HAMBO Drives: Supercharged 2013 AGM 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 786	My guess is it's way safer than waterless washing for anything beyond light dust. When I lived in an apartment I used a coin op frequently to rinse of the car before a doing a rinseless wash back at home. __________________ 2013 AGM 2SS/RS SLP TVS2300, Edge CAI, 3" Magnaflow catback, BC Racing BR series coilovers, HRE FF15's (20x10 square) with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's, GM STB, BMR front and rear sway bars and toe links, Prothane subframe bushings and front control arm inserts, JDP rear upper control arm bushings, Elite Engineering catch can. Tuned by Cunningham Motorsports. 1967 Bolero Red 396 SS/RS Convertible

04-15-2019, 03:46 PM	#4
Quicksilver2SS Drives: 2SS/RS LS3 NPP Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sacramento Posts: 227	Thanks! __________________ Taylor 409's, BF Comp 2's, Z26 pads, Hurst billet shifter

04-15-2019, 05:41 PM	#5
CamaroFred Drives: Miss Con Ception Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,998	I wouldn't drink it Automatic washes recycle too. It is supposed to be filtered, of course. Usually the water commission requires that, they can't handle the amount of water and waste otherwise. Ready-mix plants recycle the water (and sand and stone) from left-over mix, though I would be leery about washing a car with that. __________________ 2011 1SS/RS LS3 CGM

04-15-2019, 11:59 PM	#6
Silveradoss573 Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: May 2018 Location: USA Posts: 1,348	I've never seen anything bad with the car washes I use around my area. My thoughts are you're fine and have nothing to worry about but don't use the scrub brushes.

04-16-2019, 11:48 AM	#7
SSEssence Instagram: Sangstah Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Buena Park, CA. Posts: 2,803 View My Garage	I use coin op washes all the time, just never the brush, luckily mine has high pressure soap __________________ 2019 SS 1LE - "CaSSandra" 2014 SS - "AleSSandra - Sold" 94 Z28 - Sold Follow the build https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612717

04-16-2019, 12:24 PM	#8
Davij217 Drives: Camaro Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Illinois Posts: 15	Depends on the softener.

04-18-2019, 07:38 AM	#9
Joe M 2012 2SS Drives: 2012 2SS Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Shelby NC Posts: 2,549 View My Garage	The water from the pay & spray car washes can leave water spots if left to dry. If your just wanting to knock whatever loose contaminates on the surface before doing a waterless wash, that is fine. However a Rinseless wash would be a much safer option for your paint. The soap used at the Pay & sprays is generally cheap non ph-neutral, and will strip wax/sealant so I'd avoid it. Get yourself some good microfibers and a couple 5 gallon buckets with lids, and do a rinseless. __________________ Roto-Fab intake, SW 1 7/8" LT w/hi flow cats, Flowmaster outlaw exhaust, UDP, 160* stat, Circle D 3200, Moroso catch can, TCI line lock, Zex Nitrous 125 shot, 3.91 gear, Eaton True-trac, DSS 1000hp axles.

04-18-2019, 09:01 AM	#10
ZEN357 Drives: 1991 Z/28 Convertible Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 411	As long as it doesn't have brushes I would say you are okay.