This is for those dedicated Autopians who live in apartments that you can't wash your car at.
If I can do this on a F-150, then it should be easy to pull it off on a car.
Whenever I mention I go to a self-serve car wash my friend will always say, "It costs me $10 to wash my car." Now, I do have to admit when I first started going to the self-serve place it would often cost $6 to $8 in quarters to wash my truck. I knew I had to find a better way as I couldn't afford to spend that money once to twice a week. It's also one of my only options of washing since I'm currently living in Baton Rouge in an apartment.
The first thing I did was found a place where I could bucket wash. That's the key right there! Just pressure washing doesn't get all the dirt off and I would never think of using that brush on the paint (Though I do use it on the windshield and my soft bedcover). To fill up my bucket I was able to find a 5 gallon container to fill up at my apartment and carry to the car wash. Now, you have your bucket of water and soap and you're ready to go!
I also get out my wheel cleaner, tire cleaner, and brush. My drying towels I put on the passenger seat so they're reading to go as well.
Also, go at NIGHT or when it's cool and you can work in the shade. This is important as you want time to work. If you can only go during the day, then it may cost you more as you'll have to put another $1 or so in there to keep the vehicle wet and cool. I personally wash mine at 9 PM and I'm back to watch Futurama and Family guy at 10 PM.
Let's get started now. $1 into the machine!
And I get 4 mins of run time. This can vary at different places though so it may cost you more or less than $3. I set the system to rinse and wet down the entire vehicle getting the wheel wells good and the front to kick off any bugs. I'll also use the time to rinse off the brush they provide for you. If the truck is really dirt or I have a lot of bugs and have intentions to wax it as well, then I'll soak the entire vehicle in their soap as well. I have found the stuff they have at my place is decently strong so it takes wax off but does great on bugs. I'll also use their soap on the wheel wells.
Let's start washing now!
At this time if I have a lot of bugs on the front of my truck (and didn't use their soap), then I'll apply my bug remover to let it soak in. I then grab the brush they have there and clean the bedcover, windshield, and rear window. I'll then grab the wash bucket, which I previously placed at the rear of my truck and will wash the sides of the bed and tailgate. Last step is I quickly clean two wheels and tires. I've started doing this often so it takes me hardly any time. If your wheels are really dirty, then when you apply the bug stuff, you can also apply your wheel cleaner and tire cleaner to give it dwell time on the brake dust.
Another $1 goes into the machine! Rinse the entire truck down again!
Now, I grab the wash bucket, move it to the front of the vehicle and wash the rest of the truck (cab, hood, fenders, bumper). I'll then grab the wheel cleaner and tire cleaner and clean the last two wheels.
The last $1 goes into the machine and I rinse her off really really well. Sometimes I'll throw another quarter or two in (Gives me another minute) when it start to beep and use the spot free rinse. I'm not sure if this actually is spot-free water or what, BUT, it does provide a gently stream of water that helps me sheet water off the truck. Doesn't work as well as a free flowing hose but if works better than the high-pressure water.
You've completed the $3 wash. Congrats
Now in review:
1) Go at Night or when it's cool out!
2) Money in machine and wet entire vehicle down
3) Apply bug remover and wheel/tire cleaner if necessary
4) Wash 1/2 of vehicle quickly
5) Wash TWO wheels/tires
6) Money into Machine and rinse
7) Wash other 1/2 of vehicle
8) Wash remaining TWO wheels
9) Rinse vehicle well. Use Spot-Free rinse if you want
10) Dry!
For drying I've bought a stack of hand terry cloth towels with polyester (last longer but can scratch paint) that I use for the windows, vinyl (my rear bumpers and side steps hold a LOT of water that would soak my waffle weave towels), grille, cleaning the interior, etc. Basically, I use them on anything that won't scratch easily. Cheaper than getting more waffle weave towels for drying these areas.
For the paint I have several
Meguiar's Waffle Weave towels. I also have an electronics air duster that I use for compressed air to blow water out of certain areas that I know drip. I'm sure you know where those areas are on your vehicle.
I've got another thread I want to make for us who live in apartments but that'll have to wait. Off to a Chem class and I have a Chem Eng mid-term tomorrow. Though I may take a break tonight to eat and type it up.
And hopefully some of the people that remember me are still around
And a pic of my truck in the apt parking lot.
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