Self Service Car Wash?
 

I wanna go to a self service car wash.

What are the steps in washing?

Anything I should bring?

Anything I shouldn't do?

thanks

Shampoo, conditioner a loofah. Towel maybe to dry off. Some of that good axe paste to make your hair shiny

Same as doing it at home, you just have access to heated and purified water (depends how good the place is) as well as high pressure (not that I use in on paint, but it helps to get wheel wells and undercarriage).

youre funny as hell

DO NOT take your car to a self service wash... I can tell you that much.

if your gonna have to take it there

follow these tips and tricks!

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ32CqvgtMA"]How To: Coin Operated Car Wash Tips & Tricks - Chemical Guys BMW E39 530i - YouTube[/ame]

It's fine, just NEVER use the brush. Like I said, you do it just like you would at home with buckets and just use the water from the high pressure sprayer.

Care to expand on your strong objection?

If you have to use a brush, then pass on it.

If it's a spray system that uses soap then water, should be fine. Do note that the soap may remove your wax if you have someone on the car, they tend to be a bit aggressive like dish soap.

Some places have a blow dryer like contraption, if not then you'll have to bring towels. Microfiber towels, preferably drying ones.

Edit: Using the brush for your wheels is fine. If you have a set of wheels that are too sensitive for a brush then why the hell did you buy them?

Self service car washes are great for during the winter. Assuming they still work.

I've always been told to avoid the recycled water. OP if you don't have access to a power washer, why not just use a waterless method at home? Look up optimum no rinse, or similar alternatives.

as stated DO NOT USE THE BRUSH

Use the sprayer, use the foam option on the sprayer if applicable then wash with your own buckets/mitt

I only use self service during the winter, as I turn my outside lines off

Don't use their soap/sprayer. High pressure for water only if you can, but keep in mind it needs to be dried properly to avoid water spots.

Avoid wash bays with tons of shit and/or dirt caked on the floor. They're rarely sprayed down.

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Sorry :P just playing but in all honesty just take the car wash versions of what I said and there you go =D!

Do kids these days wait till they're old enough to have a liscence before learning simple things like washing a car? Serious question... Youngins so spoiled these days parents don't include them in anything that resembles work .... Very sad.

be carefull what you say... this will be another one of those damn threads about how waterless washing is bad!!

That's why I say "I've been told" instead of stating them as the true. I always try to follow tips from the detailing community. A lot of crap gets washed in and reused for recycled water… Not all places filter out salt, chemicals, etc. And I've been told that sometimes the soap they provide does not come off easily with the pressurized water, leaving stains and water spots.

I just wish the coin-op washes near me had a faucet or hose bib of some kind so I can fill up my bucket(s) with water. Instead I spend $2 to have high pressure water blown back into my face from the bucket. But for us apartment dwellers it may be the only option.

chemical guys have a Gamma Seal Durable Spin-Off Bucket Lid for there Detailing buckets, they dont leak water

or go with something like this
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Gamma-Seal-Lid-Gallon-Buckets/dp/B005W31MLQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410215518&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=Gamma+Seal+Durable+Spin-Off+Bucket+Lid"]Gamma Seal Lid - Red - For 3.5 to 7 Gallon Buckets or Pails Gamma2: Science Lab Emergency Response Equipment: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific[/ame]



you can fill up at home with some water, take the buckets to your car wash and go from there

I just did my first waterless wash. Of course within 24 hrs car was covered in dirt and water spots. Now it's been close to two weeks and it's way to dirty for waterless. Will probably use the self wash and then spray/wipe down with Infinite Use Detail Juice.

Don't go to self washes... if the place is not good or too cheap to replace the filter...the reclaimed water used to wash your car you are spraying dirty water.

If you are not particular about micro scratches...then go ahead and use the self service wash places....not saying it will cause it right away, but it may happen. Also if you are asking then it wouldn't bug you any case and then proper wipe down wouldn't matter to. If you want to do it right...look at Garry Dean single bucket wash method or go waterless rinse...what I use. Good luck