[Pvillerob]

Sorry, but why are people complaining about using a car wash, instead of just washing the car themselves? Unless you're disabled somehow, it ain't that hard.

 

[shotel]

When one washes their own car, it takes a lot of time; They will clean areas that nobody but them will notice. They will detail areas. They will vacuum carpets until there isn't a trace of dust or dirt (or french fries and potato chips between the seats). If the vacuum can't get it, they may shampoo the carpets. They will put a coat of tire treatment on, wait until it dries, then ad a couple more coats. They will clean and polish all of the windows from edge to edge as if they are to be used for a major surgical procedure. After the're done, they will slide the towel across the hood, and if it doesn't slide completely off...a wax job is in order.

Conversely, a trip to the car wash will allow them to moan about how pathetic the outcome is, and how much it cost.

But it saves them a complete afternoon.

 

[CallMeBoltDriver]

Let's add some meat to this boney thread. Who's complaining, and what are the complaints?

 

[redpoint5]

Urban dwellers that don't have easy access to a spigot? People that don't want to spend more than 5 minutes cleaning their cars?

 

[GregBrew]

Many car washes recycle their water. The one I go to certainly does.


It's the primary reason I use it. A secondary reason is that all of the driveway runoff goes to the gutter, and into the ocean shortly thereafter.

 

[gern_blanston]

Sorry, but why are people complaining about using a car wash, instead of just washing the car themselves? Unless you're disabled somehow, it ain't that hard.

'Cause complainers like to complain.

 

[ricardocabesa]

When one washes their own car, it takes a lot of time; They will clean areas that nobody but them will notice. They will detail areas. They will vacuum carpets until there isn't a trace of dust or dirt (or french fries and potato chips between the seats). If the vacuum can't get it, they may shampoo the carpets. They will put a coat of tire treatment on, wait until it dries, then ad a couple more coats. They will clean and polish all of the windows from edge to edge as if they are to be used for a major surgical procedure. After the're done, they will slide the towel across the hood, and if it doesn't slide completely off...a wax job is in order.

Conversely, a trip to the car wash will allow them to moan about how pathetic the outcome is, and how much it cost.

But it saves them a complete afternoon.

"Fries and/or potato chips"? Uh,no! No food in my vehicles.

 

[bkackman]

I recently discovered Rinseless Washing.

When I first bought the Bolt, I was apprehensive about taking the car to the carwash because of the "complicated" process to put it in carwash mode. Then, as I began reading whether this had been an issue with other owners I started seeing cautions about what a carwash does to your paint anyway. I've had several cars and never worried about this since I considered brushless washes to be pretty benign. But the more I read, the less I wanted to take the car to a wash.

This left me washing the car myself, which I don't have any issue with, except that being in California I generally feel "watched" when I'm using a hose. Of course I use a shut-off nozzle and don't use excessive amounts of water, but still feel a little self conscious. Plus we're no longer in a draught, but if one began again washing would be prohibited.

I watched a couple YouTube videos (youtube, saves me so often) for car detailing. In the course, I discovered rinseless washing. I decided to buy some of the products (Optimum No Rinse Wash fluid, 2 gallons of distilled water, a microfiber mitt, some microfiber wash/dry towels, and a couple buckets). I was particularly excited because detailers were preaching that done properly this wouldn't scratch the paint and there's virtually no water left on the ground so you can wash in your garage.

So I did it. I was thrilled. It took me less time than it had with the hose, less than 30 minutes, including a spray wax. With the hose method, I would rinse the car, wipe down each section with a soapy sponge, rinse, and repeat for the whole car. Then I would go back and dry the whole car (with squeegee, or synthetic shammie, or microfiber towels...I tried them all). The drying process could never happen fast enough as some of the water was drying and leaving water marks (I have moderately hard water). When I got done, I would still see a film on the windows which I knew was on the paint as well.

With the rinseless process, I sprayed some of the diluted solution, then cleaned the area with the microfiber sponge (carefully with one linear pass), then dry with the microfiber towel (again, mostly one linear pass) and repeat for the whole car. Then I went back over the cleaned area with a spray wax. When I finished, the glass was clean and clear and the paint was glistening. And not a drop of water on the garage floor!

I'm sold. It doesn't take as long, and the result is beautiful. Check it out.

 

[shotel]

I recently discovered Rinseless Washing.

When I first bought the Bolt, I was apprehensive about taking the car to the carwash because of the "complicated" process to put it in carwash mode.

Shuuut the front Door!

There's a "car wash mode"??

 

[bkackman]

Ok. ok. ok.

You know what I'm talking about...

Edit: Every time I read your "shut the front door" comment again, I giggle. Last night I thought it was because I was a little inebriated, but I giggled again this morning when I saw it again. Don't know why, just do.

 

[Hugh]

"Fries and/or potato chips"? Uh,no! No food in my vehicles.

I used to have that attitude until I has a child with Type 1 diabetes ("juvenile diabetes"). While I want to keep the car clean, I want more to keep the child alive.

 

[Lbrooks51115]

In the past I have always gone to the CAr washwith my other cars in the past (never with the Bolt) however after reading some of the posts about black spots appearing on the outer mirrors and perhaps being related to water being delivered in a high pressure manner, I have been washing by hand.

 

[-1-]

Who doesn't like a clean car? I wash my own vehicles, don't pay people to do simple tasks that I can do better. I love my Bolt, moderate price, exceptional EV range, fun. I don't feel compelled to wash it on a regular basis. One tip I've been using for years, shiny clean tires, clean car, dirty, dull tires, dirty car. I wipe my tires down after every use. Stand back ten feet and my Bolt looks detailed.

 

[Raymondjram]

Many car washes recycle their water. The one I go to certainly does.

It's the primary reason I use it. A secondary reason is that all of the driveway runoff goes to the gutter, and into the ocean shortly thereafter.

Your reason is the more correct one. I have washed cars since July 1962 (my uncle's 1955 Chevy Bel-Air) and continue to wash my own cars. During a rainstorm last year, I used that rain to wet and rinse the detergent off, wasting little of my own.

But in some states, such as Texas, where there may be water shortage or a drought, it is against the local law to waste water washing a car. In this case, as you mentioned, a professional car wash shop does recycle the wash water through filters, and uses it to rinse the next car.

 

[Rick CH]

But in some states, such as Texas, where there may be water shortage or a drought, it is against the local law to waste water washing a car. In this case, as you mentioned, a professional car wash shop does recycle the wash water through filters, and uses it to rinse the next car.

Up here in Toronto, for example, there is a city bylaw that prohibits car washing at home because: "No substances other than rain and melted snow can be poured or allowed to flow into an outdoor catch basin."

If you have a setup where the runoff waste water goes into the sewage system, you'd be OK.

In practice, the bylaw is lightly enforced and is usually complaint driven. That said, I'd rather not add pollutants into the watershed and only use commercial car washes.

 

[beeguz]

I wipe my car down with a microfiber towel, I use 1 or 2 pails of hot water doing the cleaner top panels first the dirtiest panels last.


Just lately I have been able to skip a day or two for the first time since January, my car leaves my garage clean every morning.


If the car gets really bad in winter and if the roads between my place and the quarter car wash are dry, I wash the car down then take it home let it thaw then wipe it off.


The car is easy to clean when you do it in sections, top panels and windows first, leave the black part and tires wheels to last.


I am happy that I bought a white car, it has been really easy to care for, the only thing that shows is the tar spots that get on the sides I polish them off with Mothers Carnauba.

 

[redpoint5]

I average about 1 wash per year for each vehicle. Can't keep 'em clean very long in Oregon, so why bother.

When I do wash a car, I park it on the lawn so the grass gets watered. Grass is turning brown already here.

 

[ricardocabesa]

I used to have that attitude until I has a child with Type 1 diabetes ("juvenile diabetes"). While I want to keep the car clean, I want more to keep the child alive.

I agree completely,it's all about priorities.

 

[raitchison]

Sorry, but why are people complaining about using a car wash, instead of just washing the car themselves? Unless you're disabled somehow, it ain't that hard.

It takes time, makes a huge mess and requires cleanup.

For me, I go to the (full service) car wash it's a 20-30 minute investment, I can't recall the last time I washed my own car in less than an hour and that's assuming I didn't feel like I needed to shower afterwards.

 

[desiv]

Sorry, but why are people complaining about using a car wash, instead of just washing the car themselves? Unless you're disabled somehow, it ain't that hard.

As for why are they complaining.. who knows.
As for why people use a car wash...
Why get fast food? It ain't that hard to cook a burger...
Why get coffee out? It ain't that hard to make a cup...
I could go on...
A LOT of the things people pay for, they could do themselves. Sometimes, they prefer not to do that..



desiv