When you guys go to the coin-op wash...

B

BluBrett

New member
We all know that power washing doesn't remove all traces of dirt. My plan was to power wash at the local coin-op as much dirt as I can get off and then QD the car afterwards to make sure no marring happens. The only problem is the car is still wet after power washing, and you can't exactly bring a leaf blower over there to dry it. So my question is, how to you dry the car? Blot it up with a sham-wow? That could really work, I would just have to be careful and it would take a while.
 
BluBrett said:
...My plan was to power wash at the local coin-op as much dirt as I can get off and then QD the car afterwards to make sure no marring happens...
Click to expand...

Exactly this method will guarantee you TONS of swirls.



It seems you can't imagine how dirty the surface is AFTER power washing...
 
That's a toughy, because the truth is that if you don't hand wash it you really should not hand dry it cause there's still a film of dirt on the car as you mentioned. Even a QD wipe down with a dirt film can cause swirls/marring.



Anything (besides blow dry) you do to dry it will induce marring or scratches on some level if you do not remove the dirt layer completely. You may not see it at first but over time you will definitely see it if you continue.



Personally I would find a place you can hand wash it at least every 3-4 weeks as needed and maybe coin wash it once a week and just air dry it by driving it. Do it at night so you don't get water spotting too badly.



It's either going to be water spot damage or swirls and marring?? Either way you've got damage depending on how you dry it.



Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear.
 
I wouldn't touch it with anything until a proper hand wash. QDing a dirty car will mar. Wiping/drying a dirty car will mar. The coin op will only get 1 layer clean (loose dirt). If coin op is your only method available, take a bucket with. Buy some ONR.
 
Thanks guys. I'm just going to le it air dry, my local coin-op has a pretty good spotless rinse. Thanks again.



Edit: also, I have a driveway and a hose, I just don't always have time with work and school, and I hate a dirty car. I have a pretty busy schedule.
 
An alternate approach to driving somewhere to powerwash is to just use a rinse less wash at home. After I discovered ONR (Scottwax's youtube videos convinced me), the amount of time for my weekly cleaning has been cut more than half.
 
You could easily and quickly wash that car in the time we've all spent answering this thread...



well, maybe a half hour. that's not very long to keep the car clean and you'll be happier knowing you're not swirling it.



Just remember two bucket wash, leaf blow dry and QD wipe down, plus rims.:xyxthumbs
 
BluBrett said:
We all know that power washing doesn't remove all traces of dirt. My plan was to power wash at the local coin-op as much dirt as I can get off and then QD the car afterwards to make sure no marring happens. The only problem is the car is still wet after power washing, and you can't exactly bring a leaf blower over there to dry it. So my question is, how to you dry the car? Blot it up with a sham-wow? That could really work, I would just have to be careful and it would take a while.
Click to expand...



I know a guy that does a version of this in the winter with a few differences. First make sure the car is well protected with a durable sealant.

Spray down like you mentioned at the coin-op. Then use a product like Poorboys Spray and Wipe combined with uber soft Microfibers. Don't apply too much pressure to the MF's when wiping. He's swirl free according to him. I'll see if I can post some links with pics.



Official Car Care Product Thread - Page 2 - Drive Accord Honda Forums
 
One option that i use when i don't have much time (most of our detailing supplies are kept in a garage at my business partners apartment) is bring 2 buckets and a mitt and fill them up at the car wash. Here's a quick-and-dirty of my process at the car wash.



1. Rinse down vehicle to get dust and dirt off.

2. Foam vehicle with car wash supplied foam gun.

3. Fill buckets with water and soap, water in one, soap in another.

4. Hand wash vehicle while in the car wash bay.

5. Rinse soap off of vehicle.

6. Dry by hand at the car wash or spray quick detailer when i return home.



Step 2 may not apply to all car wash facilities, so skip if applicable.



This is a pretty quick process, not perfect, but it suffices when you have a black vehicle that gets dusty 10 minutes after you detail it.
 
Bairum said:
An alternate approach to driving somewhere to powerwash is to just use a rinse less wash at home. After I discovered ONR (Scottwax's youtube videos convinced me), the amount of time for my weekly cleaning has been cut more than half.
Click to expand...



All of this. I was very skeptical about the ONR but it seems to work just the way they say! Look for Scottwax's video on Youtube.
 
Satinsilver said:
I know a guy that does a version of this in the winter with a few differences. First make sure the car is well protected with a durable sealant.

Spray down like you mentioned at the coin-op. Then use a product like Poorboys Spray and Wipe combined with uber soft Microfibers. Don't apply too much pressure to the MF's when wiping. He's swirl free according to him. I'll see if I can post some links with pics.



Official Car Care Product Thread - Page 2 - Drive Accord Honda Forums
Click to expand...



Swirl free??? I'd bet if he looked at his car with the proper lighting in a dark garage he'd think otherwise. What color is his car too?



I'm not doubting your word at all, just your friend's ability to properly view swirls.



Josh
 
I am in the same boat. I cannot wash my car @ my condo. The local coin-op luckily allows bucket washing as well. Not all do, and some get grumpy. I was thinking of bringing a couple gallons of water with me to put into the wash/rinse buckets as well. Saves time trying to fill with the wand. The coin-op faucets are not available for use (handles are taken off).

I suppose one could then dry-wash the car after you have wanded all you can? But I wonder if the drywashing is really that good for a car as well. Less than a week after my Mini was detailed it was covered in a thick layer of pollen, but i didnt want to touch it of fear of introducing marks....so its a toss up as to/how to maintain if you don't have access to a hose or money to pay someone to maintain for you...
 
JoshVette said:
Swirl free??? I'd bet if he looked at his car with the proper lighting in a dark garage he'd think otherwise. What color is his car too?



I'm not doubting your word at all, just your friend's ability to properly view swirls.
Click to expand...



Here are some pictures on this link. Check out pictures on page 3 also. I remember when he bought his last new car he wouldn't let the dealer prep the car. Polished it after he brought it home and still swirl free 18 mos later. I know the link looks funny but it works...

Official Car Care Product Thread - Page 2 - Drive Accord Honda Forums
 
Satinsilver said:
I know a guy that does a version of this in the winter with a few differences. First make sure the car is well protected with a durable sealant.

Spray down like you mentioned at the coin-op. Then use a product like Poorboys Spray and Wipe combined with uber soft Microfibers. Don't apply too much pressure to the MF's when wiping. He's swirl free according to him. I'll see if I can post some links with pics.

Official Car Care Product Thread - Page 2 - Drive Accord Honda Forums
Click to expand...



Satinsilver said:
Here are some pictures on this link. Check out pictures on page 3 also
Click to expand...
Satinsilver said:
. I remember when he bought his last new car he wouldn't let the dealer prep the car. Polished it after he brought it home and still swirl free 18 mos later. I know the link looks funny but it works...

Official Car Care Product Thread - Page 2 - Drive Accord Honda Forums
Click to expand...



No way!! The picture of that car on the 3rd page shows tons of swirls from negligent washing. You know it's bad when you can catch heavy swirls on a gold car in pics. Hate to see that car in person. That is a terrible example of a swirl free car and only proves what 18 months worth of improper washing can do.
 
2007TBSS said:
All of this. I was very skeptical about the ONR but it seems to work just the way they say! Look for Scottwax's video on Youtube.
Click to expand...



I sat and watched a dozen or so you tube vids, including Scottwax's, and all the cars seemed pretty clean in the first place with a lsp already on them. I mean if there was actual dirt, gunk it seems that you would have to have some sort of stream of water to begin the process.



After seeing Scott's ONR process it definitely looks intriguing, and simple; I'm gonna try it sooner than later.
 
David Fermani said:


No way!! The picture of that car on the 3rd page shows tons of swirls from negligent washing. You know it's bad when you can catch heavy swirls on a gold car in pics. Hate to see that car in person. That is a terrible example of a swirl free car and only proves what 18 months worth of improper washing can do.
Click to expand...




The car in the pics is an 02 with over 200k on it now that he still has. Below is a pic after 5yrs/160k. Don't have any pics of the 08.
 
David Fermani said:
No way!! The picture of that car on the 3rd page shows tons of swirls from negligent washing. You know it's bad when you can catch heavy swirls on a gold car in pics. Hate to see that car in person. That is a terrible example of a swirl free car and only proves what 18 months worth of improper washing can do.
Click to expand...




The pictures in that thread are of an 02 with over 200k on it now that he still owns. No pics of the 08. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree then.
 
i go to the coin op but i only use there water and i will use there pre soak to get the bugs off but thats it i wont touch there brushes i allways take a pre filled bucket with a lid and a second bucket with all my products that i will use.i can wash,wipe down,do the wheels and so on in about an hour.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top