Your wash bucket at the DIY wash?

Can you take your wash solution and wash media to your DIY wash?

  • Sure, no problem

    Votes: 2 9.1%

  • It's OK as long as I keep the meter running

    Votes: 1 4.5%

  • Depends on how busy the place is

    Votes: 12 54.5%

  • Absolutely not!

    Votes: 7 31.8%
  • Total voters
    22
  • Poll closed .
C

CharlesW

The Rainmaker
How many of you can use your wash bucket and wash media at your DIY wash facility?
It is a definite no, no at all of them in my area.
 
The only time I would do that is if it was bloody cold out, so there wouldn't be anyone else there anyway. I actually have a photo that was in the local Buffalo News of myself washing my old truck at a self serve wash in single digit temps. That was 16 years ago. Old habits die hard.:rockon
 
I have brought my own stuff to the local DIY wash. i only do it when there is no one waiting to use the bay. I go really early so I don't have to deal with the undesirables that hang out by the one in my area.
 
There are a bunch of DIY wash places around here. All of them do not permit using your own bucket. If I do need to use the DIY I always bring my buckets, wheel cleaners and other supplies and then smile at the camera pointed directly at me.:D
 
I guess I should have said mine doesn't allow you to bring your own stuff...mainly because I think it takes longer and holds up the line...but I go early when no one is there...and if some one dose pull in...there are 5 other stalls available for use...however when I go to just work the under carriage...at any time of the day...I take a full bottle of APC along and some wheel cleaner...spray the areas down...then blast away at it
 
Not permitted around here either, BUT I usually get there early or late enough so that I am the only one there, hence no one complains taht I am using my own bucket (only during cold winter months-never go to a wash otherwise).

thanks
bill g
 
They don't permit it in the places by me, I wish they would. I just use the pressure wand and finish off with Spray n Wipe back at the house
 
I have before, though not regularly. Definitely not on weekends, but during the week I can catch several bays open I've never been asked to stop.

Even if I don't pull the bucket and tire brush out, I'll use my APC to pre-spray tires and wheel wells. After the wash I pull to a shaded drying station and use my PB's Spray and Wipe and will often go over the entire again with a detail spray.
 
It's a no no here too. I've taken my truck to the one down the street but I can do what I want there because I detail the owner's cars. :D
 
^ Nice hookup to have. There used to be a ton of these places around, now I can only think of one within 10 miles of here.
 
The washes that I use have a sign stating "no bucket washing while other customers are waiting" so I figure it is ok, the problem I had the one time I did do it was filling the bucket without wearing 70% of the water. I wax or apply sealer and sometimes even clay my car at the car wash because I don't have a garage and I am a bit of a night owl. I do it for the free lighting.
 
tuscarora dave said:
The washes that I use have a sign stating "no bucket washing while other customers are waiting" so I figure it is ok, the problem I had the one time I did do it was filling the bucket without wearing 70% of the water. I wax or apply sealer and sometimes even clay my car at the car wash because I don't have a garage and I am a bit of a night owl. I do it for the free lighting.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing you already know this by now, but if you use the "spot free rinse" selection, the water doesn't come out with as much force; and assuming the system is functioning properly you will have a bucket of "filtered" water.
 
If it is OK to bucket wash at the facility you go to, can't you fill your bucket(s) at home with your wash solution, put a lid on it/them and head for the car wash?
 
CharlesW said:
If it is OK to bucket wash at the facility you go to, can't you fill your bucket(s) at home with your wash solution, put a lid on it/them and head for the car wash?
Click to expand...
I guess I don't get the question. Put your soap in the bucket at home, check. Add water to the soap bucket and pre-rinse the vehicle, check.

Then again, maybe the question wasn't to me. :)
 
tuscarora dave said:
The washes that I use have a sign stating "no bucket washing while other customers are waiting" so I figure it is ok, the problem I had the one time I did do it was filling the bucket without wearing 70% of the water. I wax or apply sealer and sometimes even clay my car at the car wash because I don't have a garage and I am a bit of a night owl. I do it for the free lighting.
Click to expand...
Mr. Clean said:
I'm guessing you already know this by now, but if you use the "spot free rinse" selection, the water doesn't come out with as much force; and assuming the system is functioning properly you will have a bucket of "filtered" water.
Click to expand...
Mr. Clean said:
I guess I don't get the question. Put your soap in the bucket at home, check. Add water to the soap bucket and pre-rinse the vehicle, check.

Then again, maybe the question wasn't to me. :)
Click to expand...
Put your soap in the bucket and fill it with water at home. Put the lid on it, take it to the car wash. Pre-Rinse car. Remove the lid, wash car with your soap and water solution. Leave mitt in bucket, replace lid. Rinse car. Dry car. Go home. Dispose of dirty wash water in bucket.
Addendum: If it's OK to bucket wash there, it certainly should be OK to dump your water in the drain there. i have no idea why I thought you would need to take it back home for disposal. :wall
 
I do quite often actually...
Although I'm a little worried about recycled wash water. There is a DIY 3-bay down the street, off the beaten path...
Nobody minds and there's never anyone waiting. Plus the car is outta the sun, which makes it MUCH easier to dry...
 
I do when I used the DIY, usually during the winter months when I've put the hose away for the season. I typically fill four empty milk jugs with water from home and in one of the jugs I will put my wash soap. I throw the buckets and jugs into the trunk and I'm off to the car wash. I go early or late as to avoid most users. No one has ever told me to stop.
 
CharlesW said:
If it is OK to bucket wash at the facility you go to, can't you fill your bucket(s) at home with your wash solution, put a lid on it/them and head for the car wash?
Click to expand...

I do not yet have a bucket with a lid but the ace hardware up the street has them for six bucks and they are on my list, That would be most practical for me. Thanks for the suggestion.:bigups
 
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