hand wash it, or automatic car wash (pros and cons)

haha yep

 

They all have their benefits. I personally like touchless car washes to get the dirt off with a quick coat of silicone. They work well for washing the magnesium chloride/urea off the paint when the deicer gets rained on. It doesn't work well with a truck that has freshly been spray waxed (the spray detailer protectant) because it makes the dirt stick. But the protectant also repels dirt also.

I also like Washman Carwash for days that I cannot wash my truck (eg nursing student stuff, being busy) They don't use brushes and their car wash is pretty gentle.

My ideal car wash is a hand wash.

I hate those freaking brushes they use before the truck enters the car wash. I can hadle the rotating ones, but not those damn broom-style ones that can dent your car because they guys are careless with them. One of the touchless carwashes (semi-automated one) has a guy that sprays high pressure soap on the truck and it works really well.

 

Damn right. But they are useful when you absolutely have to wash your truck in a hurry. De-icer is nasty stuff no matter what it is made of. I always ask them to not hand dry my truck.

 

Along these same lines, I am without a good touchless car wash in area. Tried to go to one of the drive-thru places today (why I did I will touch upon in a moment), and they would not allow open bed trucks. So, turned away from two different locations.

Why I was willing to settle for the drive-thru one: I am in an apartment with no hose access outside right now. So, anyone have ideas on car wash right now? Drive-thru a no go. No hose. Touchless about a 45 min drive (unless someone knows of one near DC). And don't want to fork over the dough for a detail job, as the truck is brand new and just a bit dirty on the outside from normal driving.

Bucket of water from the house? One with soap, next to rinse it off? Sucks not being able to wash my own car in the winter months.

Thanks.

 

last time I went to the auto carwash I got a couple of new chips in the paint

I guess some shit gets caught in the 'bristles' of the giant brush things and smack against the paint.

But...its a truck...oh well.

 

I personally never run any of my vehicles through an auto car wash, Mainly because of the harsh bristles and over use of pressure in sensitive spots. Like taking your antenna and bending it to hell. I personally am against auto car washes. Wont use them and anyone who does is retarded. No offense. Your 20K truck deserves a hand wash, At least with a pressure washer. Come on people!

 

i understand wanting to have a nice truck and all but...

I mean damn it's a TRUCK not a Ferrari. Scratches are going to happen if you use it as one.

I'm not gonna freeze my ass off outside to avoid a small light scratch in the clear coat. If you so are so anal aboyt it get the whole truck buffed in the spring when you can start hand washing it again.

 

If i had a ferrari, Id have enough to hire a professional detailer and a heated car wash that was inside my garage. Still Toyota doesnt have great REP when it comes to paint so i prefer to do a good job and get it real nice and clean, Besides those auto car washes can really SUCK sometimes when it comes to getting the truck clean. To each his own though, i guess i just really like to take care of my posessions maybe a little to much!

 

Only auto car wash I would use are the ones with the wands you do yourself.

 

give the truck the ol hand job

 

Retarded for using an automatic car wash....Really?

 

I've never used this stuff, but people rave about it (it got 5 stars on Amazon too):

http://www.amazon.com/32oz-Optimum-Rinse-Wash-Shine/dp/B000E9TS6O

 

I give my truck personal hand jobs. Sometimes I lay under him and rub it. I'm so anal about it being clean.

 

Hand wash if I have the time and weather

Automatic car wash if I don't

 

I'd hand wash mine if I could but living in apartments I don't have that option so I have to do automatic.

 

That's a good way to remove a wax job.

 

Hmmm, the ol' hand job or the auto blower.... I guess it just depends on how wet you wanna get her! I prefer the ol hand job, she likes it when I rub on her!

 

You live in the southeast. Just wait till it gets warm again. It hit 75 today.

 

I use the automatic car wash on base during the winter, but I take the antenna off first. It doesn't f##k up the paint any more that driving around in New Mexico does. If you're gonna' hand wash when it's cold, that trick of filling the bucket with hot water really helps.

 

Are you using a wax or sealant? Carnauba and heat do not mix. Warm water is okay, but idk about scalding hot, as you say.