Does such a thing exist? Car washing related
Discussion
I'll hold my hands up and admit it, I hate washing cars. Probably because I spend most of my time sat on my fat arse these days and don't get anywhere near enough exercise so hacking away at the bottom half of the car and doing the wheels in particular just about kills me. I've had my car 8 months now and it got its first wash today. 
I could take it to one of the many hand car wash establishments here in Leeds and pay an immigrant £5 to do half-arsed job and drag a grit filled sponge over it before removing all my lacquer with their 2 million bar jetwash lance, or I could take it to one of the many valeters in the area and spend £40+ to have it lovingly pampered with a 2 bucket method "posh wash". Both of these options are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum and neither appeals to me.
Does such a thing exist whereby there's a kind-of middle ground for £15-20 ish? I remember where I used to live there a young teenage lad proper into cars and he started offering to clean other people's cars for a fiver (this is going back about 15 years now). I used him regularly as he did an excellent job with his bucket and wool wash mitten, very careful and good attention to detail then rinse off with my own hosepipe. It was that good that I always used to give him a few quid more. What I need is someone like this in Leeds where I can take my car every couple of weeks for a basic but decent wash in exchange for max £20. Does such a thing exist already?
I could take it to one of the many hand car wash establishments here in Leeds and pay an immigrant £5 to do half-arsed job and drag a grit filled sponge over it before removing all my lacquer with their 2 million bar jetwash lance, or I could take it to one of the many valeters in the area and spend £40+ to have it lovingly pampered with a 2 bucket method "posh wash". Both of these options are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum and neither appeals to me.
Does such a thing exist whereby there's a kind-of middle ground for £15-20 ish? I remember where I used to live there a young teenage lad proper into cars and he started offering to clean other people's cars for a fiver (this is going back about 15 years now). I used him regularly as he did an excellent job with his bucket and wool wash mitten, very careful and good attention to detail then rinse off with my own hosepipe. It was that good that I always used to give him a few quid more. What I need is someone like this in Leeds where I can take my car every couple of weeks for a basic but decent wash in exchange for max £20. Does such a thing exist already?
Plenty of mobile valeters out there that will offer a basic wash for £20-£30. Despite owning a crapload of car cleaning gear I haven't washed my current car myself in nearly two years of ownership. Never had any issues with the £5 place on Kirkstall Road (the one closest to Morrisons).
What type of car do you take to Kirkstall Rd one? Is it anything you care about? I've had bad experiences with the one at Adel next to Lawnswood Arms, the one on Rodley Rbt and also the one on York Rd before the Shaftsbury pub. I didn't bother with any more as from those 3 experiences I'd pretty much concluded that they were all a con. The York Rd one put a nasty scratch in both sides of my Astravan which he denied but I heard it happen and it was from him leaning over the roof and his jeans button rubbing against the car. He missed bits on the bumpers and sills too. Rodley poor job with bits missed and same for Lawnswood who seemed to completely ignore my wheels. You get what you pay for I guess.
It's my Galant VR4 that I get washed from there, I guess I do care about it but saying that I've not had it washed for months. The staff there seem like an alright bunch, can't say I have ever noticed any scratches after having a car washed by them. They take their time with the wheels and they open up the doors at the end of a wash to clean the sills, shuts etc. Can't complain for a fiver.
All this washing talk made me log back in to Detailing World. I'd forgotten how crazy that place can be. Changing cars shortly so I'll probably be going back to the two bucket wash method for that. Theraputic but a pain in the arse at times!
All this washing talk made me log back in to Detailing World. I'd forgotten how crazy that place can be. Changing cars shortly so I'll probably be going back to the two bucket wash method for that. Theraputic but a pain in the arse at times!
giblet said:
It's my Galant VR4 that I get washed from there, I guess I do care about it but saying that I've not had it washed for months. The staff there seem like an alright bunch, can't say I have ever noticed any scratches after having a car washed by them. They take their time with the wheels and they open up the doors at the end of a wash to clean the sills, shuts etc. Can't complain for a fiver.
All this washing talk made me log back in to Detailing World. I'd forgotten how crazy that place can be. Changing cars shortly so I'll probably be going back to the two bucket wash method for that. Theraputic but a pain in the arse at times!
I will pay them a visit based on your glowing recommendation BUT if they fAll this washing talk made me log back in to Detailing World. I'd forgotten how crazy that place can be. Changing cars shortly so I'll probably be going back to the two bucket wash method for that. Theraputic but a pain in the arse at times!
k my car up then I'll be coming after you! 
I am formulating a plan to get there the minute they open so that should ensure their sponge is clean and free of grit 
.I do love to hear you say that you find washing cars therapeutic Giblet
, especially as you're in Leeds too. What's your address again and how much do you charge? 
Edited by All that jazz on Sunday 24th January 07:35
All that jazz said:
I will pay them a visit based on your glowing recommendation BUT if they fk my car up then I'll be coming after you! I am formulating a plan to get there the minute they open so that should ensure their sponge is clean and free of grit .
I do love to hear you say that you find washing cars therapeutic Giblet, especially as you're in Leeds too. What's your address again and how much do you charge?
Oh crap! In my defence my cars have always been fine...k my car up then I'll be coming after you! I am formulating a plan to get there the minute they open so that should ensure their sponge is clean and free of grit .I do love to hear you say that you find washing cars therapeutic Giblet
, especially as you're in Leeds too. What's your address again and how much do you charge? Edited by All that jazz on Sunday 24th January 07:35
Unless you have detailed or detailed it yourself having a posh wash will only result in no more swirls being caused. Ifnyour car is already swirled to fook then theres no point.
I find washing cars quite theraputic. I do detailing anyway so its no odds to me lol.
As long as they use a fluffy mitten and nice plush drying towels you should be ok.
Waterblades and chamois are the devils work
I find washing cars quite theraputic. I do detailing anyway so its no odds to me lol.
As long as they use a fluffy mitten and nice plush drying towels you should be ok.
Waterblades and chamois are the devils work
I think I'll get back into detailing with the new car. Still have my G220 (V1), a PTG and a bunch of other bits and bobs from 2008 when I spent a stupid amount on gear that I've rarely used since.
Things seem to have moved on a lot since then, I like the sealants that make it possible to have a touchless wash just using snowfoam and a pressure washer once applied. Makes life easier!
Things seem to have moved on a lot since then, I like the sealants that make it possible to have a touchless wash just using snowfoam and a pressure washer once applied. Makes life easier!
You can use the same place twice and get a totally different service and price. The key is to leave your car there, explain to them exactly what you do or don't want and you'll get it.
You won't get the best service if you're in a queue which stretches down the road for half a mile and are offering them £5, that much is obvious.
It's all about getting out of your car, smiling and taking time to speak to people for a few minutes to get what you want.
Inspect the car before and after for scratches, this is difficult though as it's filthy and they don't always show through that.....
You won't get the best service if you're in a queue which stretches down the road for half a mile and are offering them £5, that much is obvious.
It's all about getting out of your car, smiling and taking time to speak to people for a few minutes to get what you want.
Inspect the car before and after for scratches, this is difficult though as it's filthy and they don't always show through that.....
Have also been using the same car wash on Kirkstall road for the past year or so, and I have a 2011 XFR. If you are a full on detailing geek (and I have been known to be, on occasion) yes there are more swirls on the car than before, but the paintwork wasn't flawless to start off with. It doesn't have any scratches dents or dings as a result of going there (roughly) every 4-6 weeks, its a fiver and the car scrubs up quite well.
My younger brother has a cupboard full of detailing supplies that I have easy access to so I do plan to get off my arse and do the whole 2 bucket wash/Clay/Correction/ Wax/Seal thing this summer but it just takes sooo much time!
The other option would be to waste many hours on the detailing world forum, find a mid range valet-type who has worked on some decent metal and shown off some of his/her work on the forum, and get him/her to come and wash your car for £20-30 every month or so.
My younger brother has a cupboard full of detailing supplies that I have easy access to so I do plan to get off my arse and do the whole 2 bucket wash/Clay/Correction/ Wax/Seal thing this summer but it just takes sooo much time!
The other option would be to waste many hours on the detailing world forum, find a mid range valet-type who has worked on some decent metal and shown off some of his/her work on the forum, and get him/her to come and wash your car for £20-30 every month or so.
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