Washing the new carI just purchased a new car and and I am quickly learning the importance of detailing and car maintenance. I am looking forward to w

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Chala

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I just purchased a new car and and I am quickly learning the importance of detailing and car maintenance. I am looking forward to washing it for the first time.

I reside in an apartment and I don't have a hose or power sprayer, back yard etc...I also don't have time to hand wash it at the certain hand wash stations in my area.

There are locations that hand wash vehicles but I am not sure what mitts and drying cloths they use. I thought " touch less" was the way to go until I learned of the harsh chemicals used.

My car needs a wash now anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!
 
You seem to have shot down every method already. What about rinseless or waterless?
 
First off welcome to the forum. There is a plethora of experts and myriad of product choices on the forum. From what you described thus far, you would be a good candidate for the waterless/rinseless product lines. Again there quite a few within this line. The main benefit to these products is you don't need a hose/garage/heavy access to water. In the case of the waterless it is a simply a heavily lubricated solution which when sprayed on a mildly dirty car it lifts the dirt and a light wipe from a plush microfiber towel will take it away. A rinseless product is the next step up and I would say more appropriate for the slightly dirtier car (one does not have caked mud/heavy dirt accumulation). This one involves a bucket or two of solution mixes and a series of microfiber towels soaked in the solution.

I was a bit resistent to the two solutions at first and only recently tried the waterless am I am impressed and am enjoying the extra time I get in my weekend 'washes'.

In any case make sure you are enjoying it and come back to the forum when you need help.


Chala said:
I just purchased a new car and and I am quickly learning the importance of detailing and car maintenance. I am looking forward to washing it for the first time.

I reside in an apartment and I don't have a hose or power sprayer, back yard etc...I also don't have time to hand wash it at the certain hand wash stations in my area.

There are locations that hand wash vehicles but I am not sure what mitts and drying cloths they use. I thought " touch less" was the way to go until I learned of the harsh chemicals used.

My car needs a wash now anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
If you can't bring the hose to you, go to the hose.

No reason why you can't get your own supplies (bucket, mitt, shampoo, microfiber, etc) and go to one of those manual car wash stations. The kind where you feed quarters and it has a powere washer.

No need to use their brush, who knows what's on it. Use your equipment, and their water.

YouTube has a couple of videos of folks doing this. Some are pretty extreme - as in filling buckets with soapy water at the house in order to not waste any of the paid time at the machine. Others a bit more relaxed with just tossing the equipment into the back seat and heading out.

As others mentioned, waterless car wash has gotten popular with many.
 
dcjredline said:
You seem to have shot down every method already. What about rinseless or waterless?
Click to expand...
Was not sure what rinseless was till irvsmith explained below, i am a bit concerned about removal of the product once applied, dirt won't scratch my finish?

aRYip said:
if it not really dirty, use rinseless or waterless.
Click to expand...
What if it is dirty?
irvsmith said:
In the case of the waterless it is a simply a heavily lubricated solution which when sprayed on a mildly dirty car it lifts the dirt and a light wipe from a plush microfiber towel will take it away. A rinseless product is the next step up and I would say more appropriate for the slightly dirtier car (one does not have caked mud/heavy dirt accumulation). This one involves a bucket or two of solution mixes and a series of microfiber towels soaked in the solution.

I was a bit resistent to the two solutions at first and only recently tried the waterless am I am impressed and am enjoying the extra time I get in my weekend 'washes'.

In any case make sure you are enjoying it and come back to the forum when you need help.
Click to expand...
Thanks i don't mind using water, maybe by taking it to a hand wash detail shop i am just worried about their equipment
Ticktwo said:
If you can't bring the hose to you, go to the hose.

No reason why you can't get your own supplies (bucket, mitt, shampoo, microfiber, etc) and go to one of those manual car wash stations. The kind where you feed quarters and it has a powere washer.

No need to use their brush, who knows what's on it. Use your equipment, and their water.

YouTube has a couple of videos of folks doing this. Some are pretty extreme - as in filling buckets with soapy water at the house in order to not waste any of the paid time at the machine. Others a bit more relaxed with just tossing the equipment into the back seat and heading out.

As others mentioned, waterless car wash has gotten popular with many.
Click to expand...
I would like to go to a place that hand washes vehicles and bring my own supplies (bucket, mitt, shampoo, microfiber, etc) but i don't know if they would go for that.

Basically folks i am trying to get some advice if i can't wash it with water myself. Maybe i will look at those waterless washes
 
Look at the Rinseless or Waterless "systems", if the car is really dirty go to a self serve wash and spray it off with their pressure wand first then go home and do the rinseless.

You dont have to be resigned to a swirled up brand new car.
 
"I want to eat pizza and drink beer for every meal every day but I don't want to get fat."

That is what your post sounds like. If you want to keep your car swirl free, you need to "make time" to employ proper wash methods.
 
gsbell said:
Look at the Rinseless or Waterless "systems", if the car is really dirty go to a self serve wash and spray it off with their pressure wand first then go home and do the rinseless.

You dont have to be resigned to a swirled up brand new car.
Click to expand...


I agree with gsbell. As long as it is not too hot for the water to create spots I would then head home and do the waterless/rinseless.

You could also do a waterless/rinseless on a single section and see what results you get. Larry Kosilla mentioned doing the right rear quarter panel since that is the least seen by the driver for test spots.

But as I said make sure it is fun!
 
Chala said:
I just purchased a new car and and I am quickly learning the importance of detailing and car maintenance. I am looking forward to washing it for the first time.

I reside in an apartment and I don't have a hose or power sprayer, back yard etc...I also don't have time to hand wash it at the certain hand wash stations in my area.

There are locations that hand wash vehicles but I am not sure what mitts and drying cloths they use. I thought " touch less" was the way to go until I learned of the harsh chemicals used.

My car needs a wash now anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Rinseless or waterless solution is the way to go, if you do not want to hire a professional (not a regular hand washing station) or do not have access to water. You should do your research on how to properly use a rinseless or waterless solution beforehand. Washing your car sounds like a simple process, but there is a reason why so many detailers make it an actual profession. There is undoubtedly a science and proper methods that need to be followed to avoid any damage to your clear coat. Most hand washing locations (not all) unfortunately do not use the proper methods necessary, like the 2 bucket method, reuse dirty towels that are not properly washed and just hung up to dry, or will start washing your car from the wheels up with the same towel, causing swirls in your paint. :cruisin:
 
gsbell said:
Look at the Rinseless or Waterless "systems", if the car is really dirty go to a self serve wash and spray it off with their pressure wand first then go home and do the rinseless.

You dont have to be resigned to a swirled up brand new car
Click to expand...
Sounds good how bout the water spots though
irvsmith said:
I agree with gsbell. As long as it is not too hot for the water to create spots I would then head home and do the waterless/rinseless.

You could also do a waterless/rinseless on a single section and see what results you get. Larry Kosilla mentioned doing the right rear quarter panel since that is the least seen by the driver for test spots.

But as I said make sure it is fun!
Click to expand...
sounds good i will try and make it fun
allinthedetails said:
Rinseless or waterless solution is the way to go, if you do not want to hire a professional (not a regular hand washing station) or do not have access to water.
Click to expand...
I have no problem hiring a professional in fact i would prefer it
allinthedetails said:
Most hand washing locations (not all) unfortunately do not use the proper methods necessary, like the 2 bucket method, reuse dirty towels that are not properly washed and just hung up to dry, or will start washing your car from the wheels up with the same towel, causing swirls in your paint. :cruisin:
Click to expand...
I would love to find a handwashing location that do use proper methods, i have been googling for a few days now!
 
If i could only find one in my area that use's proper methods only then would that be a solution
 
I have same situation as yours. 1 yr old car, apt living, no power wash at home.
so what I have been doing so far is;

I got 2 buckets with grit guards and gamma seal lids. I purchased good products either through here, Chemical Guys, Griot's Garage, Adams, Meguiars, etc.. get lots of quality microfiber towels too.
I pre-fill my buckets at home, one soapy and one clear rinse water for wash mitt. I also have another small bucket for wheel brushes. I take all these to the coin operator wash place, usually very early in the morning or late at night.
The trick is, only use their power washers. Don't use their brushes, people wash their dirty trucks with those, leave them on the floor etc.. using the power wash for couple cycles here an there, you can have lots of fun. Mine usually lasts no less than 2 hours.

For polishing, sealing, waxing etc.. I ask a friend to use their garage. you can't do that in the open, or shouldn't.
 
Chala said:
If i could only find one in my area that use's proper methods only then would that be a solution
Click to expand...

What area are you in? Certainly there will be a pro detailer on this forum in or near your location that you can connect with.

At some point, wash media is going to have to touch the car if you want it clean. Either your equipment or someone else. I have to tell you if you brought your wash gear to my shop, I'd have to wonder why you would come to me, but then not trust me.

Re Touchless car washes: If you've spent the time to compound, polish, and seal (or coat) I would discourage touchless car-washes mainly because the cleaners are strong to remove the hard labor and money spent on sealants. If you've done none of the above, then feel free to take it through the touchless car wash. A modern car has been designed and tested on proving grounds to withstand most everything mother nature and man can throw at it and still look good for many years.

If you want a swirl free/scratch/free show car finish 100% of the time, on a daily driver, your expectations are way too high. Mother nature, traffic, environment and all of the above will change all of that. Try living in the North East where we had 5' of snow last year.

Drive the car, enjoy it.... enjoy all of it, the scratches, the rock chips the dings.... the cookie crumbs that fall between the seat and console, the cup of coffee you dump by accident, everything! If you hang out here long enough, you'll learn the methods to correct all that and get the car dirty, scratched, dinged and chipped all over again. A car is meant to be driven.

If it's a daily driver... "stuff" is going to happen. Much of which is going to be beyond your control.
 
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