Car cleaning in public carpark

[poordecisions]

Hi All,

I've just bought myself a nice car (for me)... A Z4m Roadster, which has just been detailed.

This is a milestone as:

1. I've had new (leased) cars in the past, that I've taken through carwashes etc as I'll hand them back at the end anyway.
2. I've had snotters that have been owned, but not worth taking care over (largely as the point of the snotter is to not worry if it gets bashed)/
3. I'm trying to beat depreciation, so will need to look after this one.
4. I've never owned a car without swirls or kerbed alloys.

One problem, I don't have a drive.

On Sunday mornings I have changed brake disks, exhausts and serviced the car in the carpark where I keep ours (its a council one, open air, relatively lightly used) and have given my old rusty MX5 a rinse down with fairly liquid and a gritty sponge.

I have never actually taken care over the look of the car... But this one is so perfect I feel that I should.

I am about to pull the trigger on:

1. Foam wax applicator pads (x12)
2. Meguiars Tyre Gel and applicatior.
3. Bilberry wheel cleaner, spray bottle and brush.
4. A grit guard
5. Twin pack of microfibre car drying towels (are these the same as a microfibre cloth? As I have plenty of these)
6. Kent Microfibre Noodle wash mit (x5)
7. Meguiars ultimate wash and wax.
8. Meguairs ultimate paste wax.

Is this a good start? The car has a red leather interior so suggestions for this would be welcome.

The major reason for this ramble...

I do not, and cannot have access to a hose, or powerwash for obvious reasons. What shall I do about this? I have looked at "Mobi" portable power washers (normally for MTB's) and this ..... Is _THIS_ a joke?

Answers, ideas appreciated. Obviously I can only get water out of a bucket, regardless of method.

[SDB660]

Have you got a friend or relative with a drive who will swap water for beer and car chat?

NB: Selection looks a good start. Newbie myself as per post below yours. Buy disposable gloves. Really helps keeping finger and palm prints off of car when finishing up.

[SDB660]

Have just thought of this idea, so it has maximum potential to make me look a mug. Can you not fill your wheelie rubbish bin with water and get a 12v water pump to at least get some kind of pressure out of hose?

[robinessex]

SDB660 said:

Have just thought of this idea, so it has maximum potential to make me look a mug. Can you not fill your wheelie rubbish bin with water and get a 12v water pump to at least get some kind of pressure out of hose?

Er, that'll weigh 1000lbs !! Keep you fit though !!

[SDB660]

robinessex said:

SDB660 said:

Have just thought of this idea, so it has maximum potential to make me look a mug. Can you not fill your wheelie rubbish bin with water and get a 12v water pump to at least get some kind of pressure out of hose?

Er, that'll weigh 1000lbs !! Keep you fit though !!

...Like I said...

[poordecisions]

Is there a power washer that will draw from a bucket and be rechargeable / powered from a cigarette lighter?

Or am I just talking bks?

[S10GTA]

SDB660 said:

robinessex said:

SDB660 said:

Have just thought of this idea, so it has maximum potential to make me look a mug. Can you not fill your wheelie rubbish bin with water and get a 12v water pump to at least get some kind of pressure out of hose?

Er, that'll weigh 1000lbs !! Keep you fit though !!

...Like I said...

Drag bin to carpark, fill from hose. Job jobbed.

[SDB660]

This might sound crazy but if you have contacts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sty1sSLc0mY

[poordecisions]

SDB660 said:

This might sound crazy but if you have contacts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sty1sSLc0mY

I don't have a licence unfortunately.

[flimper]

Whereabouts are you? And have you registered on z4-forum?

[poordecisions]

flimper said:

Whereabouts are you? And have you registered on z4-forum?

Im near Dorking, and no I haven't - should I?!

[acr_nick]

You could find the nearest petrol station that has a pressure washer, take a bucket and your cleaning supplies.

[flimper]

poordecisions said:

Im near Dorking, and no I haven't - should I?!

Yes, lots of helpful people on there

[fido]

Not sure about Leatherhead but Woodcode BP has a jet wash. Do a foam rinse there. Then a two bucket wash at your gaffe.

[Zetec-S]

As I don't have an outside tap I use one of these, takes a bit of pumping but gets a good layer of snow foam on the car.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Maxed-3132FE-Pressu...

Then rinse off with a watering can, but I am considering one of these, not sure how effective they are? (obviously no substitute for a proper pressure washer)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GOLJLLI/ref...