Condo and Apartment Dwellers, WHAT DO YOU DO!?

[DroptopZ]

So I've had my SS for about a month now. For a while, I was storing it at my parents' garage until my Subaru sold. I love the car, and really wish I had a garage for it... but I don't. I bought a condo about two years ago, and my only garage is for my IROC, which I'm restoring (CC and Rs prevent me from having a non-running car parked in my spot).

Fortunately, my neighbors are cool and I have an arragnement with the guy next door that he parks all the way toward the edge of his spot (he has an end spot with a fire-zone) and I can then park all the way to the line of his so no one ever dings my car... but I still have one major problem:

WASHING MY CAR!

There are no hose hookups at my condo, and I REFUSE to take my car through a car-wash. I am washing it about once a week at my parents' when I go to dinner on Sunday, but driving during the week, she gets leaves on her and doesn't look the best. It drives me bonkers.

I know one solution is just not to drive her, but I made the choice for my SS to be my only driver. Many days I don't drive (I live close enough to walk to work), but when I DO take her out, I want to be able to get her cleaned up right away.

Has anyone ever used one of those self-wash bays? I drove by one today, but it still looked like you had to use a beat-up, old coarse brush to wash the car. So what do you all do?

Thanks in advance!

--Mike

[bill2129]

When I have to take my car to a self car wash I don't use the brush I bring my own mitt. Only thing is there soaps strip the wax. The car lives outside. It's gonna get dirty theirs nothing you can really do about it. I wash mine whenever I can but it rains so much and I drive it everyday. Just take it to your moms house when you can. If your car lives outside and your always trying to keep it clean your fighting a losing battle.

[S3XPanther]

Either make some new friends lol, or just find a detail shop.

[Sam The Plumber]

ive been taking my cars to the car wash for years without a problem. the car wash is your friend.

[chernmax]

Jet washes are best, I make every effort to ensure car wash brushes never touch my paint!

[ffrcobra_65]

self wash bays..bring quarters, your own bucket/soap/wash mitt or sponge/chamois and/or lots micro-fiber towels.

Use the soapy spray to blast off loose dirt and crud off the car.
Blast the foam brush to clean it off
Pour your soap in bucket and fill. Wash car with your own stuff
Use the foam brush to do your wheels and tires
Use rinse spray
Use spotless water spray
Dry
Drive off with smile.

Repeat next week.

[skipinminn]

ALLLL of the Above <<< I happen to live in a townhouse complex and have a detached two car garage ^5

[DroptopZ]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

self wash bays..bring quarters, your own bucket/soap/wash mitt or sponge/chamois and/or lots micro-fiber towels.

Use the soapy spray to blast off loose dirt and crud
Pour your soap in bucket and fill. Wash car with your own stuff
use the foam brush to do your wheels and tires
Use rinse spray
Use spotless water spray
Dry

This is brilliant Thanks guys! I have a bucket and some good car-wash... and some good mits. This will work.

But yeah, I think it's going to be a losing battle trying to keep her clean at all times. I'm just going to do my best

[1COR.1:18]

Run a hose from inside your condo to the outside, might have to buy two hoses and put them together, you can even get wam water for when needed.

[kiteman]

optimum no rinse. you combine 2 cap fulls in a 2 gallon bucket of water and that's all the water you need to complete a wash. i have running water at my home and still prefer ONR because it is easy and doesn't leave scratches. combine some optimum car wax in your solution and get even better results. just read the reviews or visit an online detailing forum. #1 recommended car wash by many/most pros.

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

[angie7]

I use the self wash bays when I cant use the hose at my apt. I bring my own soap, bucket, and sponge. I wet it, hand wash it, then hose it down. It costs me 4 bucks. Then I shamy it off. Luckily the guy that owns it is a car nut and lets me do this since ur not suppose to

[rachykells]

My apartment has a hookup and spot for car washing, but if I ever do take to a self wash bay, I take my own mitt. I would never trust the brushes there.

If you find a good car wash place that doesn't tear up the car, it can be a really good thing. There's a place in Cinci that I frequent when I don't have time to wash it myself. It's a little more expensive but I trust them!

[Dirtdog]

If you use the high power sprayer, make sure you routinely wax the car. You are probably stripping it with the high pressure water.

[hightower]

I'm in a similar situation in a dorm parking lot. I'll never use that crappy old brush on my baby. I'm glad you posted this thread though cause the idea of only using the sprayer at the self serve washes and bringing my own bucket, soap, and mit is a very good idea! I don't know how I didn't think of that!