To those living in apartment complexes; where/how do you wash your car?

[redwing634]

I obviously prefer to hand wash my FR-S, but living in an apartment complex (no hose) is a bit difficult. What do the rest of you do?

[rapidcars]

I either bring it to a hand car wash or if I have time, to my parents house who live 20 minutes away.

[lbroskee]

same. i drive to my dads house since the only other way i no of is the waterless car wash or 2 bucket method.

waterless is to chemical for my style and its so hot where i live i need more wather then a 2 bucket can offer me

[Steve@TSM]

Originally Posted by rapidcars

I either bring it to a hand car wash or if I have time, to my parents house who live 20 minutes away.

This. Fortunately, our (fiance and I) lease is up at the end of September and will be moving into a house.

[Mister]

I use water-less car wash every few weeks, but every once in a while I'll take it to a hand wash place and pony up the cash for it. Waterless does an ok job, but is no competition for a real wash.

[Obsidiank]

I do single bucket method and use around 2 gallons of water. My condo's garage will allow a little water runoff as there are vents on the ground. No issues. I've also driven my car to a empty parking lot and washed it single bucket method on cloudy day.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43574

the method I use.

[redwing634]

Some great suggestions. I've always done it myself with a hose, but looking around the area, it seems there are some affordable hand wash places. I'll also look into trying your method Obsidiank.

[The RZ Precept]

I take mine to the 'rents so I can hand wash or occasionally pay this one dude I know who works at a local dealership, he does a great job!

[AznBRZer]

Originally Posted by Obsidiank

I do single bucket method and use around 2 gallons of water. My condo's garage will allow a little water runoff as there are vents on the ground. No issues. I've also driven my car to a empty parking lot and washed it single bucket method on cloudy day.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43574

the method I use.

+1

You don't even need a full gallon of water for the ONR towel bucket.

OP: Do it on a cloudy day and you should be all set. That's what I do. If I can't do a wash, I'll do spot treatment with Tarminator if sap is baked on. Otherwise, I'll use ONR quick detail dilution to just spray it off.

For the pre-soak, you can get a hand-pump sprayer. I got a 40-something ounce one and you can soak the car with less than that.

[ThisIsChrisKim]

I don't really wash it much. I just wait for it to rain and try and wipe it down a bit when it rains. I haven't looked into hand washing places, but if it's like anything else in DC, it's gonna be too expensive. I'll go to the machine washes maybe once or twice a year, even though I know it's not awesome for the paint.

Luckily, I only drive once or twice a week, so my car usually never gets THAT dirty.

[The_Societan]

For $45 a month I have unlimited washes(the Works package) at the Mike's Carwash near my place. I have been through their wash six times so far and the car looks beautiful. Of course, it's no replacement for a proper hand wash, but it only takes a couple minutes and I can do it whenever. I think it will come in handy when winter comes and I want to keep the salt from building up. I could go everyday if I wanted.(doubt that I will, though) I know that a lot of people swear against automatic car washes, but I think they are too obsessive about their paint. I will see how it looks in the long term, but for now, the results are satisfactory.

[Frstorm]

My wife thought of this the other day. For apartment livers go to one of those self car wash that has a spray. Use it to fill two buckets bring some soap and bingo you can do the two bucket wash which I swear by. Luckily I live in a house so I don't have these problems.

[Frstorm]

And yes I am one of the radicals that will never use an automated car wash sen way to many scratches from it. I don't even trust the non touch automated places. I spent 20 bucks for all my supplies and still uses it in month 3 which is a lot cheaper and I enjoy hand washing my car. I even won't touch the paint to dry. I perfected the water dry technique and use an electric blower for the final touches. Less you touch paint the better.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by Frstorm

And yes I am one of the radicals that will never use an automated car wash sen way to many scratches from it. I don't even trust the non touch automated places. I spent 20 bucks for all my supplies and still uses it in month 3 which is a lot cheaper and I enjoy hand washing my car. I even won't touch the paint to dry. I perfected the water dry technique and use an electric blower for the final touches. Less you touch paint the better.

Come do mine?