This might sound silly, but I'm trying to figure out where to wash my car. A good bit of searching hasn't turned up much so I'm posting here.

I have a small shared garage and a sloped driveway leading to the street. I'm not sure if the hose nearby will reach it, but even if it does I don't think the driveway is a suitable spot to splash around and let the soap go down to the street.

The only option I have found seems to be to take a bucket (or two) to the local coin wash, fill the bucket and get busy. I'm not sure if this will fly with the wash operator, although they are usually not around. It is also a hassle to lug the buckets there and back.

Any other options would be appreciated. I've had my car for two weeks, it's a black S4 Avant, and it needs a wash!

Thanks

 

we wash ours in the garage. out of the sunlight and easy acess.

 

We take our cars to one dealership i bought my car from, he is a perfectionish when it comes to washing and detailing cars. I'm fortunate to have him do the job and its just right down goregous. If you have the time, do it yourself. But if you got lucky finding someone like I did.

 

Thanks for the responses, I guess the title is a little bit off. I'm looking for alternatives to washing it in the garage. My garage is too tight to wash the car in, and I don't have a hose there.

 

I've done a few details up in the San Francisco area and can imagine the driveway and the slopes....not really car wash friendly.

But, there's gotta be a place where there's a coin-operated self-car wash. Look around on the net or call a dealer. If there's a place you can find and it's recommended by others, take your car there. You can try posting this thread on the NorCal section of 6speed. I bet there are a few people that can help you.

If all else fails, you may have to do the wash yourself in your driveway. Get a system set up and it'll make the job easier. I'd say, get a basic wash kit and a nice tote and put some products in there so everything is in one place. If possible, invest in a DI filtration system like a CR Spotless...this way, you can quickly wash your car, keep it parked outside and let it air dry. Since you're using deionized water, there will be no water spots and you won't be spending hours washing and drying your car.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Moe. I figured my best bet would be a coin-op self wash, there's one nearby. The thing is I wouldn't want to use their sequence, foam, brush, etc., I'd use my own supplies. I just don't know how problematic (or not) it is to go there with my own bucket and take up the bay for an extended period of time. I guess I'll find out

I ordered a subset of your kit already, it will arrive Tuesday. Do you have any tips on doing the wash at a coin-op? I think I'll only be using their hose to soak and then rinse the car. I'm trying to find the best sequence there, for example I don't know If I'll be able to rinse each panel after I wash it.

Thanks

 

Thanks for your order.

I wouldn't worry about taking your time at a coin op. Usually there are a few bays and depending on the time of day, traffic can be light.

Just don't use their scrub brush to wash your car. Simply use their water. Do the panel by panel wash I suggested and you'll be fine. Just bring lots of coins

 

I wash our cars every single weekend on my drive way. Then I move them into the garage to get them out of the sun and wipe them dry and clean whatever else needs cleaning. On the occasional full detail (claying, waxing, shampooing carpets, etc...), everything is done in the garage. I can understand your problem with the steep driveway but who cares, it all eventually runs into a sewer right?

 

Thanks for all your input. I was being paranoid, expecting it to be illegal to let the water run to the storm drain here in the SF Bay Area. It was pretty hard to find out, but I think I have it from credible sources that it is not illegal here. The problem is the storm drains don't drain to the sewer, they drain to the creeks and streams and eventually to the bay and it doesn't feel quite right. However, "individual" car washing is not considered a contaminant to the waters.

So I can get on my crooked driveway or use the coin wash way. I think I'll try my driveway first.

 

I use this



Filled with Distilled water and then two wash bucket method. I'd spend a fortune at the DIY bays otherwise.

Nomad 18V Portable Power Cleaner


D!

 

That is pretty high-tech D. I found that a hose reached my driveway, so I just washed it there.

 

That's cool. I just find those nice if you are limited on access or space. I can take that thing to the park and wash it if I want. I take it with on road trips so I can wash in parking lots at the hotel!

D!