Are there any alternatives for going to a carwash?

C

CAS1

New member
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I just bought a used black SUV that has tons of small scratches. I plan to have the scratches detailed out and I'm considering having 22PLE applied too. I know I'm going to pay a small fortune for the detailing so I'm worried about taking the SUV to the local carwash where we take all our other vehicles. Being my first black vehicle, I know it's not going to be as forgiving as the other colors are.

My question is, are there any easy alternatives to running it through the carwash? Or is there anything I could do so I can continue to go to the carwash and not have the scratches come back? Hand washing it myself, especially in the winter, is not a good option due to a medical issue.

Thanks for any suggestions
 
Based on what you've described, I'd find a good detailer in your area and get on some kind of maintenance program. Seems like a decent option to me and would of course depend on your budget.
 
Rinseless washes are pretty easy. I did them with a broken wrist months back and it was still easy. If you take your car to a car wash you're almost guaranteed they ruin it, so my advice is just do a Rinseless wash yourself, hardly takes any effort.
 
cleanmycorolla said:
Rinseless washes are pretty easy. I did them with a broken wrist months back and it was still easy. If you take your car to a car wash you're almost guaranteed they ruin it, so my advice is just do a Rinseless wash yourself, hardly takes any effort.
Click to expand...

I agree, or better yet for his situation I would recommend a waterless wash.
 
cleanmycorolla said:
Hey dude, how ya been? Long time not talk:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Just came back from trainning (Army).

Also to add CAS1, try UWW (ultima waterless wash). The great Marc08EX sent me a sample before I shipped, the dilution rates are amazing.
 
Many professional detailers offer maintenance packages in which they will routinely wash your vehicle on a weekly, every other week, monthly basis.

Where are you located? We can help to recommend a detailer with the proper knowledge and expertise to get your vehicle looking proper and then help to maintain it too.
 
Even if you are going to have a detailer wash your car, I would recommend taking a look at a few YouTube videos on how to properly wash your car. You may (like me) be surprised at how many incredible mistakes you were making before, ASIDE from washing the car (I was guilty about wiping bird bombs off with a dry towel, for example, in between washes).

Here's a couple good ones;

Audi R8 BlackBird Wash by Larry from AmmoNYC
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Sqi1lAj1A]Audi R8 BLACKBIRD: Basic Car Wash Techniques - /DRIVE CLEAN - YouTube[/video]

And of course; from our very own Mike Phillips;
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv1ETEKTqbw]How to wash your car using a Grit Guard and the Two Bucket Method - YouTube[/video]

I'm guilty of what Larry calls 'love marks'. Or, I should say, I was. What I've learned, is that you really DON'T want to touch the car unless you have to, and everything should be intentional. Removing a bird bomb, for example, should be done with a soft microfiber towel and a good detailing spray, INSTEAD of just whatever rag I could find buffed dry like before!

After you watch those videos, pick out all the mistakes your car wash was making!

There are a lot of 'product plugs', but for the most part you can use whatever good quality products you want. Instead of Ammo Hydrate, like Larry talks about in his first video, you can use any good quick-detailing spray.

Now; again, you may not WANT to do all that, and nobody is going to do it better than a GOOD pro detailer. But knowing the right process going IN will A) Prevent you from doing the damage yourself in between washes and B) Help you pick out a good detailer or car wash.
 
rms64 said:
Based on what you've described, I'd find a good detailer in your area and get on some kind of maintenance program. Seems like a decent option to me and would of course depend on your budget.
Click to expand...

zmcgovern45 said:
Many professional detailers offer maintenance packages in which they will routinely wash your vehicle on a weekly, every other week, monthly basis.



Where are you located? We can help to recommend a detailer with the proper knowledge and expertise to get your vehicle looking proper and then help to maintain it too.
Click to expand...


Depending on what you have the capability to do and not do according to your medical issues. Getting on a good Mx plan seems like a really good option for you. The may even be cheaper than the Auto wash that will most likely instill swirls/scratches that you do not want.

I believe it would also be a good idea to watch the video's above. With your new found knowledge, then you can do a Quality check on the detailers that work on your ride:dblthumb2:
 
:welcome:...to AGO!!


CAS1 said:
is there anything I could do so I can continue to go to the carwash

and not have the scratches come back

^^^That's not gonna happen...^^^
Just like something Arnold used to say: "They'll Be Back"!!
Click to expand...
TIP:
I do not ever use any:
Brushes-equipped, tunnel car-wash systems/operations---automated or Manned.
I can only strongly suggest that you don't either.

And as suggested:
If you can not perform Winter car-washing...
ask at the vehicle's detailing-point-of-sale to be put on your Detailer's maintenance wash schedule.

:)

Bob
 
I would suggest learning how to do a rinseless wash. You can do it in the winter fairly easily.
 
cleanmycorolla said:
Rinseless washes are pretty easy. I did them with a broken wrist months back and it was still easy. If you take your car to a car wash you're almost guaranteed they ruin it, so my advice is just do a Rinseless wash yourself, hardly takes any effort.
Click to expand...

I agree with Chris. Spring is coming.
 
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I might explore the rinseless carwash a little more but I'm still not sure if that would work for a 5'1" lady with a tall (for me) Sequoia. Because of a medical condition, I cannot tolerate cold to my fingers. I don't know if the rinseless would still make my fingers cold.

I'd probably be better off pre-paying for some hand washes from my detailer. Would it be expensive to do that? And how often should it be done?

You guys are a great help - thanks!
 
zmcgovern45 said:
Where are you located? We can help to recommend a detailer with the proper knowledge and expertise to get your vehicle looking proper and then help to maintain it too.
Click to expand...

I'm in Bayville, NJ 08721. I'd love to hear recommendations.
 
CAS1 said:
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I might explore the rinseless carwash a little more but I'm still not sure if that would work for a 5'1" lady with a tall (for me) Sequoia. Because of a medical condition, I cannot tolerate cold to my fingers. I don't know if the rinseless would still make my fingers cold.

I'd probably be better off pre-paying for some hand washes from my detailer. Would it be expensive to do that? And how often should it be done?

You guys are a great help - thanks!
Click to expand...

You could always use warm water from inside the house to do a rinseless. Grab a small step ladder for the roof if you need to.
 
You know the good quality boars hair brushes AutoGeek sells might be an option, no? Then you don't have to touch a wet was mitt, AND it should reach the top of the SUV. Just make sure to clean it on the grit guard often and keep it in good shape and it'll work wonders I'm told.
 
CAS1 said:
I just bought a used black SUV that has tons of small scratches. I plan to have the scratches detailed out and I'm considering having 22PLE applied too. I know I'm going to pay a small fortune for the detailing so I'm worried about taking the SUV to the local carwash where we take all our other vehicles. Being my first black vehicle, I know it's not going to be as forgiving as the other colors are.

My question is, are there any easy alternatives to running it through the carwash? Or is there anything I could do so I can continue to go to the carwash and not have the scratches come back? Hand washing it myself, especially in the winter, is not a good option due to a medical issue.

Thanks for any suggestions
Click to expand...

I hear ya', not being able to wash it on your own sometimes. (I've been fighting a herniated disc the last few weeks, feels like it's ruptured, and we'll find out next week.)

But yes, rinseless would be the way to go, IF you have enough microfiber towels and can get some help from the family doing it. Surely you have some touchless washes in your area, yes? Heck we even have one at the local do it yourself wash. Plunk some quarters in and it's just jets, no spinning wheels, and a nice air blow dry. (For the most part.) But we don't get NEAR as cold as you guys do, so unless they are running deicer through theirs it may be closed in the winter. :dunno:

The idea of a local professional isn't that expensive, when you consider you'd normally have to get out and go do it yourself. Once he's got it straightened out the first time the maintenance washes shouldn't be that bad.
 
My suggestion would be to go ahead and get the car detailed and coated and then use those "laser wash" "touchless" tunnel washes that DO NOT TOUCH the paint. Do NOT go through a brushed tunnel wash. Your hard earned $ will be wasted as the paint will be scratched badly. You might get on a once-a-month maintenance with a detail shop and just use the laser washes in between to knock most of the dirt off. That should work really well for you. Good luck with the medical condition as well!
 
Last edited:
I'd find a good touchless car wash tunnel and use that on a bi-weekly basis. Have a pro do a good Hand wash for every few months.

Phil@DetailersDomain is a great detailer and he's about 2 hr from you in Norwood, NJ. He would be a great choice for the initial detailing.
 
I have recently picked up doing rinseless washes. I have been amazed at how clean it feels afterwards with a little time and proper technique. And I'm a BIG fan of traditional, 2 bucket method washes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top