I'm putting my car away for the winter to avoid corosion brought on by the salt they put on the roads. I'm storing the car outside so I've got a breathable car cover, but before I store it I want to wash the car. Because its already below freezing I can't wash it in the driveway by hand as I usually do, so I am considering taking it to a NO CONTACT automatic car wash (the one I have in mind is at a Shell gas station nearby). I've heard these kind of car washes use harsh chemicals to clean the dirt off the car. Does anyone recommend not taking my car to a NO CONTACT car wash for any reason?
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Re: no contact car wash
I can think of 4 Shell stations in my area all with no contact car washes. I'd never consider an automatic car wash if it were with the bristles...I think that's the worst thing you can do for the paint. The only reason why I'm considering an automatic car wash at all is because I don't want to put the car away dirty.
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Re: no contact car wash
i go to a quick wash over by my house... it isnt as good as washing it by hand but it gets the job done. I talked to the ower and he said it was completely safe. It works good as long as ur car isnt super dirty, otherwise its not worth it. It worked fine for me. Is this the type that only sprays out water at like 100 psi or something cause thats what ive been thru. I felt completly confident using it
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Re: no contact car wash
As far as I know it sprays a chemical detergent (soap) on the car that breaks down the dirt and then it gets rinsed off. I'm thinking anything powerful enough to take dirt off the car through chemicals must be harmful to the paint and must strip wax as well.
Also I've always been told to hold the hose far away from the paint because the high pressure can be damaging...I can't imagine the high pressure jets are good for the car. For example, I got too close to the paint on another car once and it took a chip of paint right off.
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Re: no contact car wash
Ok here is what i did lol its gonna sound ridiculous but it worked. I got 3 buckets of water from the sink inside my house. I wet the car down then pulled it into the garage where it was warmer. I filled 1 bucket again with water and car wash fluid and then cleaned the car in the garage. when i was done i went back inside filled the 3 buckets with just waterand pulled the car back out and cleaned off all the soap then brought it back inside the garage and dried it. Its not as much work as it sounds like. Since ur storing it outside u probably dont have a garage to do it in but you can always ask a friend to use there garage. I really dont like cars washes i prefer to do it myself
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Re: no contact car wash
Homedogg, I admire your determination. That sounds like a lot of work. I do have a garage, but my father stores his 1975 Mini Cooper in there and since its winter he'd have my head if he knew i took it out to put my Camaro in...also the garage doesn't have a drain so its not ideal for washing a car.
There is a heated garage nearby where you pay coins to go inside and wash your car in the warmth. I just thought a no-contact automatic car wash sounded easier.
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Re: no contact car wash
I just can't see myself washing the car outside in this weather, even with hot water. Kristen and homedogg, you guys are from Philadelphia, but I'm in Montreal. It was -16 celcius last night, or about 0 farenheit and right now its about -10 celcius, or 15 farenheit. I'd freeze my hands trying to wash a car outside right now...lol
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Re: no contact car wash
Originally posted by kristeni set up out sink by my back door(for the washing machin) so that i can connect the hose to that. then i use the hot water!!! just an idea
o and mike im sorry to say this but personally i think your dad is a ***** with the mini cooper. he wont let u take it out of the garage that is a little fruity. Idc if that thing has a 1000hp at the wheels its just not that type of car. But im proud of you with your Fbody and good luck finding a place to wash itLast edited by homedog119; 12-08-2006, 03:55 PM.
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Re: no contact car wash
Originally posted by homedog119i like that idea i dont have a sink close enough
o and mike im sorry to say this but personally i think your dad is a ***** with the mini cooper. he wont let u take it out of the garage that is a little fruity. Idc if that thing has a 1000hp at the wheels its just not that type of car. But im proud of you with your Fbody and good luck finding a place to wash it
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