Discussion
I have always washed mine by hand, after I worked in the petrol station and discovered that the vast majority of automatic car washes recycle roughly 80% of the water. Whilst the water is filtered to remove all the crap, this doesn't get rid of the dissolved salt, so during the winter when the roads are gritted you are basically washing the car with salty water. I would not regard this as a recommended practice.
Also they never managed to clean my alloys, and I always had to go home and get my hand in the wheel arches anyway.
Also they never managed to clean my alloys, and I always had to go home and get my hand in the wheel arches anyway.
By hand every time.
On at least a fortnightly basis mine gets a wash and chamois to get grime off and then I'll clean the brake dust and crap off the wheels.
When I'm feeling lazy I'll Autoglym it, when I have a few hours to spare it gets the full monty - Meguiars 3-Step.... deep paint cleanser, polish and carnuba wax.
On at least a fortnightly basis mine gets a wash and chamois to get grime off and then I'll clean the brake dust and crap off the wheels.
When I'm feeling lazy I'll Autoglym it, when I have a few hours to spare it gets the full monty - Meguiars 3-Step.... deep paint cleanser, polish and carnuba wax.
Theres an awsome new car wash near me, it has laser guided jet wash to do the wheels, the pre wash is applied by hand (operatives do this) then the car is drawn through the wash, huge amounts of soapy water are hosed over it from all angles, the 'brushes' are actually a foamy material, not nylon bristles, then the car is pressure rinsed, blow dried then chamied in a huge rotating arangement(a bi like a rotary washing line with long chamois hanging from it)
The car comes out spotless and near enough dry. It takes five mins and costs a measly fiver!!(it is also designed for rag tops)
from me!!
I wouldnt take my car near any other car wash now.
The car comes out spotless and near enough dry. It takes five mins and costs a measly fiver!!(it is also designed for rag tops)
from me!! I wouldnt take my car near any other car wash now.
By hand every time - and apart from actually takin pleasure from seeing my p&j gleem from my efforts, you get to spot any little scratches / nicks / impending rust issues which might need some attention.
I think whenever purchasing a second hand car you should ask if you can give it a wash yourself - theres not likely to be any little area you forget to check that way!
I think whenever purchasing a second hand car you should ask if you can give it a wash yourself - theres not likely to be any little area you forget to check that way!
Have never and would never go to a carwash.
Jet washes at petrol stations are quite good sometimes, as long as you make sure the brushes are clean. It's quick and easy. Rubbish ones are when you get a set programme for your money (2 mins of soap, 1 min of water, 1 min of polish or whatever) - you end up with half a clean car
much better are the ones that give you a certain length of time and you can choose what you do in that time.
Nothing beats the hand job though!
Did mine today in the fading light - quick wash with autoglym, rinse off (doing a panel at a time), squeegee off the water and finish with a shammy. Wax &c time permitting Always nice to stand back and admire the handywork.
So sick of the odd looks from passers by and neighbours though - yes, I'm washing my car BY HAND get the f
k over it!!
Jet washes at petrol stations are quite good sometimes, as long as you make sure the brushes are clean. It's quick and easy. Rubbish ones are when you get a set programme for your money (2 mins of soap, 1 min of water, 1 min of polish or whatever) - you end up with half a clean car
much better are the ones that give you a certain length of time and you can choose what you do in that time. Nothing beats the hand job though!
Did mine today in the fading light - quick wash with autoglym, rinse off (doing a panel at a time), squeegee off the water and finish with a shammy. Wax &c time permitting Always nice to stand back and admire the handywork. So sick of the odd looks from passers by and neighbours though - yes, I'm washing my car BY HAND get the f
k over it!!
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