Effects of car washes

You should add "not at all" or "hardly ever" to your poll haha

 

Haha, obviously I did not consider all angles when picking the options for the poll. Most of the washes I've seen have signs saying that you are not allowed to bring your own buckets and gear. Probably just so you'll spend more money with them and I don't see how they would enforce it from a legal standpoint, but it is a "rule".

 

The $5 tunnel wash I use is brand new and works great. They have about 20 bays with free self-service high pressure air hoses and vacuums. They also give you a clean damp cloth to wipe down your dash and other interior surfaces with. The only problem I have is they don't like it when you show up with a truck FULL of mud as mine often is during hunting season. So they tell me to go next door to the self-service coin wash (where signs are posted "No Heavy Mud Please") to get the majority of the mud off first, then they will run my truck through their tunnel. I guess the mud will clog up their drains at the $5 tunnel wash but they don't care about the self-service dude's business in the adjacent parking lot.

 

I believe reflectivity is the word you were looking for

 

it's a real word but I still like my made up word better. hahaha

 

I use all of the above. Usually manual at the car wash in Spring, Summer and Fall. Sometimes I wash at home, especially if I plan to wax. From late fall through early spring I mostly use touchless automatic, unless it's an unseasonably warm day. I rarely use an automatic with brushes but occasionally I do.

 

My problem with washing mine is that I have a well with limited draw, and the well water is full of minerals and sulfur. I have to go to town and use either the touch-less pressure washing system, or use the spray wand and foam brush at the do it yourself wash. Once in a while, I will run her through a tunnel wash or even a full service wash with hand drying, etc. when I go to the city.

 

Some of you thought I'm a bit overboard. That man will not wash his truck in the same water he drinks and bathes in.

 

I don't drink that stuff at all! It's rather the fact that it leaves HORRIBLE spots and whatnot on the finish unless it is totally hand dried to the last drop. Also, I do have a limited amount of water in the wellhead to use at any one time.

 

I always buy light brown or silver trucks. Rain method works for me. Wash and wax every 6 months or so. Quicksand was the obvious color choice for this reason.

 

The only time I use automatic washes is in the winter. I need to find an outdoor self wash near me though and just avoid automatic washes 100%. I've seen enough horror stories on serious paint damage.

 

I wash my vehicles myself. That being said, I've grown tired of caring about paint, so I bought the silver this time. When I do wash it, I still treat it like my nicer cars. Two-bucket method with microfiber mitt/towels. I use a CR Spotless (spotless water) unit for everything except filling the buckets. I then usually use a blower to knock the remaining water off.

 

Did this about a month ago, as its to cold to turn on the outside spigots yet. I was quite impressed with what I got. Only problem was some of the heavy spots still had a small amount left over, but it was pretty nasty before I started.

I would use the auto wash places no problem. The problem is, I have 2 of them 1 mile from my house, but neither offer unlimited washes....I have to drive 30 mins round trip for one of those.

In the warmer months I wash my truck in the drive 2-3 times per week. I keep a big pesticide sprayer filed with soapy water. I give the truck a quick rinse with the hose, and fill a rinse bucket for my brush on a stick. Spray it down with the soapy water, brush her nice and clean, then hose off. Done in less than 5 mins. Does it have a show finish? No, but I get compliments on how my truck is always clean. To me its a truck, and I use it as a truck so I cant be to crazy about keeping it clean.

I go and wax it usually twice a year. Silver vehicles can look nice with minimum effort.

 

I need to send this thread to my friend. He has a 2011 dclb bought new, and he has yet to wash it. Parks it out in the rain to keep it clean...