Carwashing in winter

[Patriot201]

Okay, guys, I need some advice...

My car is disgusting. There is salt COVERING the entire car. It is really bad.

Besides using warm water to wash it or going to one of the automated carwashes (of which I am terrified!), what advice do you all have about how to wash a car when the outside temperature is below freezing?

My only ideas are:

1) Automated carwash (which I REALLY REALLY don't want to do)
2) Using warm water and rubber gloves


Do you all have any other ideas?

Thanks! :)

[Dillipop]

We have car wash bays here that you pull into and spray your car down. There is a long, triggered tube on the end of a hose. You are much further away than if you are doing it at home. There is also a brush with soap in it. It is about $2 for the first bit and then you can add quarters to add time, if you catch it before the original time is up. I find that I don't get wet this way, but the car gets clean because the water pressure is way better than at home. We usually just rinse the car and undercarriage in the winter and forego the soap, though, since it is cold. But at least we get the salt off.

[canadianmom2three]

My DS was also terrified of those auto washes. We used to go to the type where you actually get out of the vehicle and the attendent takes it in and through while detailing the interior - it cost a bit more (like about $15?) but was well worth it in mid winter!!Now of course, all 3 kids love the auto wash, and are always asking to go through. I know DH still takes his truck to the outdoor wash. I'm not sure if the water is warm all year long, but this time of year he says it is steaming hot - and out of the wind, so not too cold. Best of luck (I just washed mine this week, and already its back to its old salty self)

[flipper68]

I just ran mine through the 'touchless' powerwash, where the water/soap jets move around the outside of the vehicle. The place runs a token special for the holidays so it's only $4 a shot (compared to $7-8). I've also used the bays and can stay pretty dry.

I wouldn't advise doing it at home, although I have a neighbor who does, in shorts, in all temperatures. His cars are always spotless.

[Michi]

Oh I LOVE PDQ in the winter.
You drive up and hand over your car to the attendant. Then you go inside - where they have snacks, and huge windows to watch the car going through.
They clean everything inside and out and dry it! It's expensive - $20-30, but my kids LOVE watching the car - w/o being IN the car!

[broken4u05]

I have one here that i love. My car was really messy or i would not of gone. It was a mess inside and out so for $14 it was cleaned inside and out. For less money you can just drive in and they have always been great. There is a line like 20 cars out for this place

[Patriot201]

I have one here that i love. My car was really messy or i would not of gone. It was a mess inside and out so for $14 it was cleaned inside and out. For less money you can just drive in and they have always been great. There is a line like 20 cars out for this place

Where do you go? I am in NoVA, so Maryland is not far away! If there is a good place, I will go there! :)

[beeman]

Well, weekly washes in the winter time are supposed to greatly reduce rusting (If you keep your vehicles around long enough for them to do that). I go to one of the wand bays that is inside here. The place I go to you get a card and just add money on it with cash or bank card, so you don't always have to dig for change. After I'm done washing I let it drip down a bit at the carwash, and then go into the underground parking for a few hours to let it finish drying. I keep forgetting to bring my ramps to lift up an end of it so it's easier to wash the underside, but I always try to give it a good wash under there. I haven't seen much rust, so I must be doing something right (mind you I've only had this truck since April). I've seen a lot of trucks of the same age with rust rings all around the wheels, so my trucks been lucky. I neet to take my truck to get the interior cleaned again. I had it done when I bought it, but I used it for my bee truck last summer, and had a container of honey explode in it, so it's kind of sticky. All I've done is vacume, and give the dash a baby wipe bath, so it's about time.
Car washes are lots of fun though.

[LEAW]

gosh, i'd just hose it down from as far away as possible on a day warmer than 32 so it doesn't glaze the car over in ice :)

i can hardly see out the side windows, i try to scrub them off when i'm at the gas station. and i need to put more air in the tires... but when it's 5* out and there is windchill and i'm so pregnant i can't zip my coat, well... you see where this is going!

[lovinwaves]

Well Patriot, I can answer ALL of your carwashing and detailing questions. My parents have been in the business for almost 30 years and I have grew up in and around it. I also help them out everyday! :)

Ok, so first of all DO NOT do it by hand at home. The salt, dirt and grime that are on your car need to come off by pressure washing. Also the soaps that you can buy in a store are NOT powerful enough to remove film or salt chemicals from your car. My parents use extremely expense high end soap to efficiently clean vehicles without hurting the body. If you handwash it then all you are doing is rubbing that dirt and salt into your paint and creating light to deep scratches. It is imperative that you keep your car's undercarriage clean in the winter. The salt and chemicals that they put on roadways is extremely harsh to your cars body and undercarriage.

I know you are afraid of automatic carwashes, but really you shouldn't be. Try to find one like my parents have which is a Touchless and Treddleless(sp?) carwash. That means nothing will touch your car, and you don't have to drive onto a ramp of any sort. You basically pull into the bay and a laser measures your car and how you are positioned in the bay to give you the most upclose and best washing. Really ANYBODY can do this. If you can park your car you can so easily do this. Also make sure that the automatic you go into it offers the undercarriage washing. That means, when you enter there are jets that blast the underneath of your car. The best carwashes do that with hot water and good soap. This method of washing should cost between $3-$10.

The other option you have is what some pp's referred to, the Self-Serve Carwash. Here you would drive into an open bay and handwash the car yourself with a wand. I caution you though, DO NOT use the foaming brush UNLESS it is made of real boar's hair and you do the following two things: #1 wash your car thoroughly with soap FIRST, #2 wash the head of the foambrush out with your wand with soap. I see so many people come in with extremely dirty cars and the first thing they do is use the foam brush on it!! :eek: All that is doing is rubbing the dirt and crime into your paint!! I have seen a beautiful black BMW come in and do this, and try to sue my parents for the scratches. But, the sign clearly states to wash down your car FIRST. Also, something people dont' know is that the foam that comes out of a foam brush is actually NOT cleaning your car. It is simply a lubricate to help glide the brush over your vehicle. ;) This method should cost between $1 to start and then add coins as needed. Probably around $3-$4 total.

A couple of tips:

1. In the winter after a carwash please use a drier (if available). This will help prevent your car's doors freezing shut on the way home. Another thing you can do is open and close your door on your way home at stop signs and stop lights to also prevent freezing.

2. Do NOT touch your vehicle's body/paint unless absolutely necessary. A carwash with good soap, hot water, and high pressure should sufficiently clean your vehicle. The only time you should touch your paint is when a film starts to develop. If that happens then first throughly clean your car then use a GOOD sponge or cloth to clean. Be sure and lubricate also to help it glide across the paint. Try to refrain from using swirling actions.

3. Do NOT use an automatic carwash everytime you wash your vehicle. This will end up developing a film overtime. Also do not use wax everytime you go in a automatic or self-serve wash. And don't expect a $10 automatic carwash to clean your car that hasn't seen a carwash in 6 mths. It just WON'T clean it. You will need to wash in the self-serve bay.

Ok, so PLEASE let me know if you have any more questions. I know all about Carwashing like I know back of my hand. :D

[nisi]

So I'm going to ask a stupid question... why are people afraid of the drive in car washes? My 2yo was a little freaked out at first, but that's because it's loud and she doesn't know what's going on. I don't understand what an adult has to be afraid of. :confused:

As for me, I love those PDQ type places, too. Especially in winter! The one I go to is a quick lube also, and they give you a free car wash with your oil change. It isn't quite as nice as PDQ (and by that I mean no snacks :p ) but it's essentially free since I need the oil changed anyway. The kids love watching the car through the big windows. And they did an excellent job the time I hit a skunk (though they insisted on changing the oil first, then washing, so those poor guys at the quick lube... :o )

[lovinwaves]

So I'm going to ask a stupid question... why are people afraid of the drive in car washes? My 2yo was a little freaked out at first, but that's because it's loud and she doesn't know what's going on. I don't understand what an adult has to be afraid of. :confused:


I think the main reason is because they are afraid of driving their car up onto a treadle of some sort. If their tires aren't exactlly right on then it can be bad. That is why my parents invested in the newest and greatest automatic made by PDQ. Now we have more customers than ever because there is NOTHING on the floor. You simply pull in and the automatic carwash measures your car. If for some reason you accidently pull WAY to far to the right or left then the carwash "arm" will *hit* your car, but it won't hurt it because it is ALL foam material. The automatic will then shut down until a tenant resets the machine. It's really no biggie though. It tends to happen with very big vehicles like an excursion van or very large Truck with extended mirrors. <-----This at least describes my parent's carwash. Not all carwashes of course offer this technology. :(

I would never go through a carwash where the washing arm or boom is NOT protected by some kind of foam.

[southpawboston]

Ok, so first of all DO NOT do it by hand at home. The salt, dirt and grime that are on your car need to come off by pressure washing. Also the soaps that you can buy in a store are NOT powerful enough to remove film or salt chemicals from your car. My parents use extremely expense high end soap to efficiently clean vehicles without hurting the body. If you handwash it then all you are doing is rubbing that dirt and salt into your paint and creating light to deep scratches.

i have friends who have been automotive detailers for years (one runs a detailing business), and they all say to avoid automatic carwashes and ONLY wash by hand... ?

plus, there is no automatic carwash that can clean in "hidden" places, like inside the door sills and door jambs. these are places you only see when you open the door. by handwashing, i can get into all those nooks and crannies. also, wheel rims with lots of spokes are very difficult to get clean by an automatic carwash, because they build up road film and brake dust film very easily. the only way to get wheels really clean is by hand, period.

also, forced-air drying the car will not prevent door seals from freezing in the winter. you have to open each door and wipe the door frame and seal dry, otherwise the door WILL freeze shut.

[lovinwaves]

i have friends who have been automotive detailers for years (one runs a detailing business), and they all say to avoid automatic carwashes and ONLY wash by hand... ?

hmmmmm....Well, I wouldn't necessarily recommend using an automatic carwash, but they are ok if you want to do a quick clean wash. I always say, "Automatic Carwashes are for clean cars, not dirty cars!" LOL I am kind of curious though why they would say to avoid Automatic Carwashes. If you wouldn't mind asking I would love to know :) Now, with that said there are definitely some I would completely avoid, but my parents automatics are perfectly fine to use (just not every single time, which a LOT of people do especially in the winter. I confess myself :p )

Anyways, my brother is a professional car painter (yes car obsessions run in our family). He also says it is important to refrain from touching your paint whenever possible. Getting your car "detailed" every year or twice a year is ok. Just make for dang sure they know what they are doing. The only thing I don't like is how they use swirling hand held tools for waxing (even my brother does this). You can always see the swirl marks, especially in darker colored vehicles. That isn't the way your car is painted. Your car is painted from side to side, so the swirling actually breaks off the tips of the peaks that are formed during the painting process. It is hard to explain unless I could show you a diagram.

I would definitely leave it up to a professional (like your friends in the detailing business) to do a surface handwash. They KNOW what they are doing and have the best materials and techniques for cleaning and removing films. I am not totally against this method of course, but I wouldn't recommmend it to someone at home because of lack of proper equipment. Does that make sense? LOL :)

[lovinwaves]

plus, there is no automatic carwash that can clean in "hidden" places, like inside the door sills and door jambs. these are places you only see when you open the door.

Yes, and this is why I said to NOT use an automatic carwash everytime.

by handwashing, i can get into all those nooks and crannies. also, wheel rims with lots of spokes are very difficult to get clean by an automatic carwash, because they build up road film and brake dust film very easily. the only way to get wheels really clean is by hand, period.

Yes very very true! There is no way soap and pressure alone will clean wheels and a bad film on a car. You will need to use friction when cleaning sometimes, wheels especially. I handwash my vehicles once or twice a year, and I ALWAYS handbrush clean my wheels when I self-serve wash. At a self-serve bay you have the wand as your tool, so you ARE able to get in nooks and crannies (ok, that is a funny word :p ), but hand washing is great if you know what you are doing and have the proper materials.


also, forced-air drying the car will not prevent door seals from freezing in the winter. you have to open each door and wipe the door frame and seal dry, otherwise the door WILL freeze shut.

Yes, and this is why I said above this will only HELP prevent freezing. It will not completely eliminate the possibility. If you can get out for a brief second and wipe down your door jam that is also helpful. I have found though it depends on the vehicles, and also just because it is 32 degrees doesn't mean you are going to have a problem with your door freezing shut on the way home.

[Patriot201]

Well Patriot, I can answer ALL of your carwashing and detailing questions. My parents have been in the business for almost 30 years and I have grew up in and around it. I also help them out everyday! :)

Ok, so first of all DO NOT do it by hand at home. The salt, dirt and grime that are on your car need to come off by pressure washing. Also the soaps that you can buy in a store are NOT powerful enough to remove film or salt chemicals from your car. My parents use extremely expense high end soap to efficiently clean vehicles without hurting the body. If you handwash it then all you are doing is rubbing that dirt and salt into your paint and creating light to deep scratches. It is imperative that you keep your car's undercarriage clean in the winter. The salt and chemicals that they put on roadways is extremely harsh to your cars body and undercarriage.

I know you are afraid of automatic carwashes, but really you shouldn't be. Try to find one like my parents have which is a Touchless and Treddleless(sp?) carwash. That means nothing will touch your car, and you don't have to drive onto a ramp of any sort. You basically pull into the bay and a laser measures your car and how you are positioned in the bay to give you the most upclose and best washing. Really ANYBODY can do this. If you can park your car you can so easily do this. Also make sure that the automatic you go into it offers the undercarriage washing. That means, when you enter there are jets that blast the underneath of your car. The best carwashes do that with hot water and good soap. This method of washing should cost between $3-$10.

The other option you have is what some pp's referred to, the Self-Serve Carwash. Here you would drive into an open bay and handwash the car yourself with a wand. I caution you though, DO NOT use the foaming brush UNLESS it is made of real boar's hair and you do the following two things: #1 wash your car thoroughly with soap FIRST, #2 wash the head of the foambrush out with your wand with soap. I see so many people come in with extremely dirty cars and the first thing they do is use the foam brush on it!! :eek: All that is doing is rubbing the dirt and crime into your paint!! I have seen a beautiful black BMW come in and do this, and try to sue my parents for the scratches. But, the sign clearly states to wash down your car FIRST. Also, something people dont' know is that the foam that comes out of a foam brush is actually NOT cleaning your car. It is simply a lubricate to help glide the brush over your vehicle. ;) This method should cost between $1 to start and then add coins as needed. Probably around $3-$4 total.

A couple of tips:

1. In the winter after a carwash please use a drier (if available). This will help prevent your car's doors freezing shut on the way home. Another thing you can do is open and close your door on your way home at stop signs and stop lights to also prevent freezing.

2. Do NOT touch your vehicle's body/paint unless absolutely necessary. A carwash with good soap, hot water, and high pressure should sufficiently clean your vehicle. The only time you should touch your paint is when a film starts to develop. If that happens then first throughly clean your car then use a GOOD sponge or cloth to clean. Be sure and lubricate also to help it glide across the paint. Try to refrain from using swirling actions.

3. Do NOT use an automatic carwash everytime you wash your vehicle. This will end up developing a film overtime. Also do not use wax everytime you go in a automatic or self-serve wash. And don't expect a $10 automatic carwash to clean your car that hasn't seen a carwash in 6 mths. It just WON'T clean it. You will need to wash in the self-serve bay.

Ok, so PLEASE let me know if you have any more questions. I know all about Carwashing like I know back of my hand. :D


THANK YOU!!!!

I need to find one of those automated carwashes where you don't have to drive onto a ramp. The ramps are what scares me. My car got STUCK in one of those one time because there was a metal bar sticking out of the ramp that got around the wheel. I couldn't get the car to move. It was REALLY scary!!!! I was SO upset because I kept hearing metal scrape on metal. My car was only a couple months old at the time. :( :(

[lovinwaves]

THANK YOU!!!!

I need to find one of those automated carwashes where you don't have to drive onto a ramp. The ramps are what scares me. My car got STUCK in one of those one time because there was a metal bar sticking out of the ramp that got around the wheel. I couldn't get the car to move. It was REALLY scary!!!! I was SO upset because I kept hearing metal scrape on metal. My car was only a couple months old at the time. :( :(

HOLY MOLY Patriot!! You poor thing I can't even imagine!

Yes, try finding one that is ramp-free! You can also see if there is an attendant there. Just say to them this is your first time and you just need help learning how this particular carwash works. Once you do it you will be whizzing in and out of there. I promise ;) I think getting past your fear is the first thing! :)

[beeman]

What is with these car washes with the ramps. I've never seen one in Saskatoon. All the carwashes are the touchless ones you just park in. The last time I saw a carwash with the brushes that whip was when I was about six. I've always liked the carwash. When I was a kid we used to forget what colour our car was because it was muddy so long, so it was real exciting to go to get the car washed.

[lovinwaves]

What is with these car washes with the ramps. I've never seen one in Saskatoon. All the carwashes are the touchless ones you just park in. The last time I saw a carwash with the brushes that whip was when I was about six. I've always liked the carwash. When I was a kid we used to forget what colour our car was because it was muddy so long, so it was real exciting to go to get the car washed.

Your confusing a tunnel wash with an Automatic carwash. A tunnel wash does have ramps to pull the vehicle through. Those typically use some type of friction.

An Automatic wash can have ramps or can be ramp-less. Also, it may have brushes, or brush-less. There are many varations. More than likely though the Automatic Car washes in your area all have ramps.....:(

[beeman]

OK, what I'm calling the automatic carwash is the one you drive into and sends the wand all around your vehicle, and then you drive forward into the dryer. Now I've never seen anything like a "tunnel wash" that pulls you through, nor have I seen any with a ramp.

[Patriot201]

HOLY MOLY Patriot!! You poor thing I can't even imagine!

Yes, try finding one that is ramp-free! You can also see if there is an attendant there. Just say to them this is your first time and you just need help learning how this particular carwash works. Once you do it you will be whizzing in and out of there. I promise ;) I think getting past your fear is the first thing! :)

THanks! I know it is silly that I am such a baby about carwashes. I need to get over it. :)

[lovinwaves]

OK, what I'm calling the automatic carwash is the one you drive into and sends the wand all around your vehicle, and then you drive forward into the dryer. Now I've never seen anything like a "tunnel wash" that pulls you through, nor have I seen any with a ramp.

Out of curiousity, are you saying the automatic carwashes you go through do "not" have a ramp or railing of any sort?

[papooses]

Ramp? How long are these automatic washes? I think the really long ones out in CA might've had a ramp, but back here they're really short & no ramp (at least nothing that inclines)....

Anyway, I was also taught in my Ecology course never to wash cars at home: the automatic washers really save a lot more energy & water, plus less toxins get into the dirt.

I can definitely see not using the drive thru type washes every single time (although I'm too lazy not to, LOL) as in the past I've noticed that the other kind can do a better job -- but, again, I'm just too lazy when it's hovering at or below 0*

Don't feel too bad about your dirty car: mine hasn't been washed at all this season :eek: Bad, I know :o But, honestly, I don't have the $ nor do I really care when all I want to do is get rid of it & move far far away :p

[lovinwaves]

Anyway, I was also taught in my Ecology course never to wash cars at home: the automatic washers really save a lot more energy & water, plus less toxins get into the dirt.


YES YES! This is very true. I am actually not very knowledable about the exact "why's", but it is not good for the sewage system also. Also, my parents recycle their water :)

[southpawboston]

Anyway, I was also taught in my Ecology course never to wash cars at home: the automatic washers really save a lot more energy & water, plus less toxins get into the dirt.

that depends on where you live and how low the water tables are. if you live in the the desert southwest, it is ecologically more sound to use a carwash that reclaims the water; if you live in the northeast it actually makes more ecological sense to wash it yourself, since you are not jeapordizing the water supply, and you are consuming less energy: it takes energy for the automation of an automatic carwash: there is electricity being used for the whole process. if you wash the car yourself, the only energy you expend is your own ;) plus it's debatable how much water you consume doing it yourself versus a carwash. you know, those high pressure systems do use a LOT of water... as opposed to a bucketful of soap water and a couple of rinses that you do yourself...

[papooses]

I'm in the NE.

I'd be interrested where your info comes from -- it looks like it makes sense & I'm sure that if I didn't have the text book I'd agree ... but, I have the research that says otherwise.

As Luvinwaves said, they recycle the water -- electricity is a resource, yes, but water is more scarce & it takes more energy to get more water rather than just recycling it.

The bucket I do completely agree with as far as water usage ... however, the toxins get back into the ground water & into the soil where people grow foods, etc.

[southpawboston]

I'm in the NE.

I'd be interrested where your info comes from -- it looks like it makes sense & I'm sure that if I didn't have the text book I'd agree ... but, I have the research that says otherwise.

As Luvinwaves said, they recycle the water -- electricity is a resource, yes, but water is more scarce & it takes more energy to get more water rather than just recycling it.

The bucket I do completely agree with as far as water usage ... however, the toxins get back into the ground water & into the soil where people grow foods, etc.

i read that the reclaimed water is only used in the washing steps, and that fresh water is used in the final rinse (that reclaimed water is pretty nasty). depending on how much fresh water is used in the final rinse, it could be more than if you did it yourself... as for the toxins, you mean the road dirt and salt? what other toxins are there? if the runoff from washing your car goes into sewer drains, you are just putting what was originally on the road in the first place back where it would end up anyway. if you wash your car on your lawn, then the dirt and toxins will go into the ground water. there are other unforeseen expenditures of energy with respect to the automatic washes: there is the gas you burn driving the car to and from the carwash, and there is oil or natural gas being burned to heat the carwash facility in the winter (how do they keep the system from freezing?). there is also indirect energy expenditure: employees have to drive to and from the carwash facility; that is contributing to polluting the environment. there are delivery trucks which have to deliver the soap and the chemicals that are used to treat the reclaimed water (what happens to those chemicals?).

i'd be interested to get the author(s) and title(s) of the research. PM it to me if you can... does it cite actual studies with data? does it cite how much water is consumed per car per automatic wash? is the information based on comprehensive environmental impact studies? without knowing the complete "environmental impact" picture, it's a pretty wortless argument for either of us.

[papooses]

I'm with you on the complete picture thing -- there are too many variables for either one to be any more right than the other ;)

Where I am people wash with a runnin hose in the grass & in the winter the truck (more emissions) continues to run while the soap & salt etc. sink into the ground water which is brought back up in wells & grown into the crops. It's more about being a health hazard here than anything else.

Out in LA it made much more sense to use the bucket on the concrete under the carport! :cool:

The textbook might even be outdated now ... 6 years old :confused: But still, just looking at what the locals do here compared to how I did it in LA, we're better off here using the autowash! Then again, some people in LA are moronic about wasting water to clean the driveway when a broom stands nearby :rolleyes:

[southpawboston]

i agree that some people can be overly wasteful with regard to water usage (i lived in SoCal too ;) )

[lovinwaves]

Ok, SouthPaw you are right, but I think we need to seperate the types of carwashing. Also, if you are concerned with the Ecology then you should wash at a Self-Serve Carwash, and not at home.

There are according to me 3 types of carwashing

1. Bucket Washing at home
2. Self-service carwash (professional business using a wand)
3. Automatic carwash (professional tunnel like wash)

Now to break down each wash:

1. When you wash at home you are washing the soap down your driveway, down the street that goes to the storm sewer, and into the natural drainage ditches. The water that you wash off of your car contains heavy metals, and chemicals from roadways. Which ultimately end up in your rivers and streams which carry fish, snail, and all kinds of food for us humans. Because, the EPA cannot mandate what soap you are using at home they have an issue with this type of washing method. In some communities it is actually illegal to wash your car at home. In fact thousands of communites across the US have banned home washing.

If you have never noticed after a moderate to heavy rain, streams and rivers will have some foaming. This foaming is part of the fertilizer and chemical additives that farmers use on their crops and land. This of course is not good for the food chain. Fish you catch and eat contains these chemicals.

And also an interesting fact, last year(I think it was) there was a severe drought in the East. Many communities banned handwashing your car at home, BUT you could still go to a professional self-serve carwash. The reason is this...a normal self-serve carwash only uses 3 gallons of water per minute. You would use 3 times that in your driveway.


2. Ok, so now onto the most recommended way of washing....Self-Serve professional carwash. When you wash in a bay with a wand the mud, gray water, chemicals, and heavy metals that are washed off of your car is controlled and contained. They are drained into a pit below your car. My dad has the pleasure of cleaning pits once they are full (it's gross but somebodies got to do it). He must then dispose of this soot in an approved EPA ground fill, and the left over gray water is treated at a local sewage plant where chemical levels can be monitored and maintained (which is a good thing!)

Waste water is more important than energy usage. If you were worried about energy then you wouldn't start the very car you are washing :)

Carwashes built after 1995 must recycle some part of their water. Even newer carwashes have nicer recycling systems that are required by building codes.

3. This is where we can agree. An automatic carwash does use more energy than a bucket wash or Self-serve wash. It does require more electrical energy and more water. That is why automatic carwashes cost so much more ;)

So in conclusion, a Self-Serve carwash is MUCH more ecologically sound, and more efficient than hand washing at home.

[lovinwaves]

As Luvinwaves said, they recycle the water -- electricity is a resource, yes, but water is more scarce & it takes more energy to get more water rather than just recycling it.

The bucket I do completely agree with as far as water usage ... however, the toxins get back into the ground water & into the soil where people grow foods, etc.


YES, right on. Electricity is not as scarce as water. Therefore, the issue is not energy, but rather water usage.


And the bucket usage is a misconception. Normally, you use MORE water bucket washing at home then you would at a self-serve carwash. The tips on a wand are extremely small and only use 3 gallons of water per minute. Compare that with a 5/8" hose running full blast while you leisurely bathe your car in your driveway, while all of your chemicals from your soap run into the storm drain instead of in a contained pit at a professional carwash :(

[southpawboston]

well i will agree with you that SOME people may waste more water hand washing, but it doesn't have to be the case. 3 gal/min x 7 minutes in a self-serve bay = 21 gallons. i'm willing to bet i don't use that much with bucket washing. the spray nozzle on my garden hose is very narrow as well (who uses a 5/8" hose running full blast without a nozzle??!!). in fact if i tried to fill a gallon jug with water from my garden hoze and nozzle, it would take more than twenty seconds to fill... so the rate of water output is less than a self-serve. PLUS, at a self serve, the nozzle is ALWAYS on for that 7 or so minutes that it takes to wash the car. with bucket washing, you do an initial rinse, then sponge the car, then do a final rinse. less than 7 minutes of nozzle time, total. as for the chemicals getting drained into the sewer drains, i only use lifetree brand natural dish soap, which is vegetable based and does not contain phosphates (which are typically the component in soaps that wreak havoc on marine life). not trying to get into an argument, but my point is that you can hand wash a car in a manner that is as ecologically sound as--if not more than--a self-serve or automatic carwash. you just have to know what you're doing and do a little research beforehand. MOST people will not do that and that is why car washing at home may in some communities be banned during droughts. but there can also be politics behind that... banning bucket washing does not cost a company lost business and hurts no one ecomomically. telling a carwash facility to shut down because of a drought could be devasting to a small business.

[beeman]

Out of curiousity, are you saying the automatic carwashes you go through do "not" have a ramp or railing of any sort?

No, they are just a cement floored building, and then the wash wand goes around the car.

[flipper68]

Why are kids scared of the "tunnel" car wash? stay in the car.]


It's dark (especially if you go on a sunny day - the sudden contrast can be scary).
It's loud.
"BIG Things" that move come at you (the strips of cloth or the rolling brushes) and engulf the car. Little ones don't understand that they are outside the car and won't actually touch you.
Clausterphobia (sp?)

[lovinwaves]

Why are kids scared of the "tunnel" car wash? stay in the car.]


It's dark (especially if you go on a sunny day - the sudden contrast can be scary).
It's loud.
"BIG Things" that move come at you (the strips of cloth or the rolling brushes) and engulf the car. Little ones don't understand that they are outside the car and won't actually touch you.
Clausterphobia (sp?)


You hit the nail right on the head!

My daughter was never scared maybe because she has been exposed to the whole carwash scene since she was born, but my son is a little weary when we go in. Our carwashes are touchless, but can be very loud, especially with the bottom blaster. He has only cried once, and that was because he was asleep (poor baby). He does get a funny look on his face though when we enter. It kind of looks like this :eek: LOL!

[lovinwaves]

No, they are just a cement floored building, and then the wash wand goes around the car.

Are you talking about an Automatic Carwash, or are you talking about one where you get out and wash it with a wand?

So, if it is an Automatic there is nothing to help you line your car up right? Meaning, there is nothing that your tire has to line up to? If so, wow that is really awesome! Those are the best carwashes :D

[beeman]

Yep, It's one you stay in the car, and don't have to line you tire up with anything. They are the best, but I usually go to the wand wash bay because it's cheaper :p >

[Patriot201]

I am going to try to find a carwash where I don't have to line my tire up on a ramp. Those things scare me. :(

[Patriot201]

Right now, it is icing outside, so I am not going today!! :)

[papooses]

My SD had never seen it either until after Leila was born (there's a 4 year difference) -- I told her I had a story my grandma used to tell me: something about a lost baby octopus ... the carwash was the ocean & the baby octopus made all kinds of new friends along the way (the different washing thingies) & at the end she found her mama :) More than anything else it kept her attention long enough to comfort her. She's a REALLY slow to open up type spirited kid (super clingy, shy, etc.) but when we came back the next time she actually liked it :)

[southpawboston]

DD has a book called "the scrubbly bubbly carwash" which is all about the family taking their car through the carwash. it's full of made up sing-songy words (splishity-splashity, glimmery-shimmery, scrubbly-bubbly). it was her favorite book for awhile! but she will probably not see an actual carwash for some time (since daddy's a bucket washer ;) )