Washing my car in the driveway

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mcpp66

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As I've stated before in previous threads I have a small one-car garage, so it's very hard to wash my car indoors out of the sun. Unfortunately, my driveway is situated such that it is never out of direct sunlight. So, I'd like to wash my car in my driveway so I have more room to work with but out of the sunlight. Should I buy a party tent and erect it over my driveway? Do they make things specifically for this purpose? If so, does AG have something?
 
I have a canopy, that works well for car detailing too. One issue the standard 10x10 is NOT long enough to cover an entire car. It would be cool to have Autogeek screened on the canvas.
 
Can you do it in the morning or evening so as not to get full sun?
 
Finemess said:
Can you do it in the morning or evening so as not to get full sun?
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I suppose I could on certain days, but I'd rather get some sort of canopy or tent so that I can just cover the car and do it at my convenience.
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
I have a canopy, that works well for car detailing too. One issue the standard 10x10 is NOT long enough to cover an entire car. It would be cool to have Autogeek screened on the canvas.
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That would be cool.........I take it then AG doesn't sell anything for this purpose? I'm thinking that a regular party tent may be the way to go then.
 
i just wash my car in the late afternoon or early morning and i do it section by section. i then pull it into the garage to finish drying it
 
been to dozens of car shows with tents up. be real real careful if there are any winds in your area. damage will be catastropic. use pails with rocks or something insanely heavy to keep it down.
 
daveinsweethome said:
been to dozens of car shows with tents up. be real real careful if there are any winds in your area. damage will be catastropic. use pails with rocks or something insanely heavy to keep it down.
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Didn't think of that.........thanks for the tip........it's one I'll remember for sure.
 
I bought a 12X12 at the local home improvement store just for that purpose for less than 100 bucks, then got paranoid about it falling so I bought that foam Pipe insulation and covered all the legs with it.
 
I always wash mine and take care to keep the whole car wet while doing it. I then use the open end of the hose to sheet the water off then pull it in the garage to dry it. Maybe this would work for you.
 
The best set up is 2 10x12 canopys with the 10 ft sides together to make a 20 x 12 area. 10 x 10s are just not big enough for cars to fit under you will hit the doors on the poles it you are not careful and 10 feet long is not long enough for a car you will have to slide the tent to keep the car in the shade....
 
Northern Tools has some, this is the Model Im looking at....6290
20'L x 12'W x 8' H on sale now for $299.99

 
My driveway is pretty much the same. I usually start washing about an hour before the sun sets and never have any problems.
 
BackdraftDJP said:
The best set up is 2 10x12 canopys with the 10 ft sides together to make a 20 x 12 area. 10 x 10s are just not big enough for cars to fit under you will hit the doors on the poles it you are not careful and 10 feet long is not long enough for a car you will have to slide the tent to keep the car in the shade....
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depends on the car

My SVT Focus hatchback fits under my 10x10 canopy just fine :xyxthumbs:



Pepboys and other stores sell canopys that are 10x20 12x20 etc, but they do cost a bit more. Sometimes they are called portable garages.


If price is an issue, goto walmart and get 2 of their 10x10 canopys that are 88 bucks each.
 
mcpp66 said:
As I've stated before in previous threads I have a small one-car garage, so it's very hard to wash my car indoors out of the sun. Unfortunately, my driveway is situated such that it is never out of direct sunlight. So, I'd like to wash my car in my driveway so I have more room to work with but out of the sunlight. Should I buy a party tent and erect it over my driveway? Do they make things specifically for this purpose? If so, does AG have something?
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I had the same problem. Either wash my car early in the mornings before 8am or late in the evening 6-7pm. I got sick of that. I purchased a CRSpotless water system that work great for me, plus I have well water. I now can wash my car anytime I want and even in direct sun and don't even have to dry it if I done want to and there isn't any water spots. I purchased it from CRSpotless, but AG also sells it.

I have a black car, so I would know if I got water spots after using this system, which I don't anymore from this system. I think its great. The best thing like I mentioned was that since its RO water it removes all that crap in the water, then sit down and have a beer & just have the sun dry the car and then wipe down with a detail spray. They say just to use this system for a final rinse, which I thought if i did it in the sun by the time I got to the final rinse I would have water spots, so I use the system for everything. Foam cannon, in the wash bucket and do 1 panel at a time & then rinse that panel off, by the time I do the whole car I don't care if it dry's because its spotless.
I have the large one and have had the system for 5 months now and have wash my car probably every weekend and just replaced the filters. $90 and well worth the $90.
 
mcpp66 said:
As I've stated before in previous threads I have a small one-car garage, so it's very hard to wash my car indoors out of the sun. Unfortunately, my driveway is situated such that it is never out of direct sunlight. So, I'd like to wash my car in my driveway so I have more room to work with but out of the sunlight. Should I buy a party tent and erect it over my driveway? Do they make things specifically for this purpose? If so, does AG have something?
Click to expand...

I use ONR, you wash and dry a section at at time, so you never have to worry about water spots.
 
get the 10 X 15 from PEP BOYS - Nice Quick 5 Minute Set Up and very well made. I have erected and put mine away now over 100 times with no issues! I alos have their 10 X 10 Aluminum Frame model and it is equally Sturdy !
 
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