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Do you use self-service pressure washer car wash?

J

Jerboy

Banned
I tried this for the first time today and I'm quite disappointed with it. Basically you go into a bay and there is a brush and a nozzle. You deposit four quarters and you get 2min 30sec, each additional quarter buys 38secs. There is a function switch that let you change the function of the nozzle and the brush. Usually you start off with "pre-soak" and follow through with: "brush"(the only one function supported by brush. Foam is fed through it's pipe), "high pressure wash", "high pressure rinse", "high pressure wax" then finish off by "high pressure rinse" again. There was also options for tire cleaner and engine cleaner. I thought it was a great idea. Turns out that when you do a semi-decent wash, it will cost more than automatic wash, you have to work your ass off and pressure washer actually doesn't do much.

I personally don't think it's a great idea for usual wash. Probably something to do after going off roading, then head off to automatic wash.

I think I'll stick with cloth based automatic wash, which is $4 or simply wash my car at home.



 
Order of preference...
Sponge and bucket....Doesnt get any more detailed
Self serve...................My way, faster, expensive cause I'm anal
Sit n Go......................Made for speed, not quality, doesnt always do a good job if your cars real dirty.
 
I use self-service washes pretty often, but they do not do a good job at removing surface dust - I have spent $5 on one, only to see that the car was still dirty once it dried.
 
I use them all the time, but just for the high pressure. I bring a bucket and car soap and hand wash it so it only costs me $2 and I get a good wash.

*EDIT - If you care at all about your vehicle, do not use those brushes in the self-serve (I call 'em quarter car washes) car washes. People use those things for cleaning some nasty stuff and things get caught in the bristles just looking to scratch up your paint.
 
I used to use one, it worked good, I never used the brush though. But I got lazy and started going to the drive through one for a buck more.
 


<< I use them all the time, but just for the high pressure. I bring a bucket and car soap and hand wash it so it only costs me $2 and I get a good wash. >>



ditto
 
I usually wash at the "quarter wash" or the full on automatic, but nothing beats the old bucket and a sponge.

I always spray the brush at the self serve with the high pressure hose before it goes on my car. If there's any bit of dirt left on the brush, oh well, the wax on my car protects the paint. I've never caused damage by using the brush (I?ve used it an estimated 100+ times). Some people are so paranoid.

Tip: Skip the pre-soak, wax and final rinse cycles at the self serve. They serve the owner better than they serve you. (I run high pressure soap, brush, then rinse. The car looks great afterward, especially if I take time to towel dry the thing.)
 
I would only use the pressure thingy for getting rid of salt in the winter time. Otherwise it's the bucket/sponge method at home.

m00se
 


<< I would only use the pressure thingy for getting rid of salt in the winter time. Otherwise it's the bucket/sponge method at home. >>



Pretty much the same here, except I never use the brushes.
 
I think it's much more fun and easier to pay 5 dollars (i think that's the correct way to phrase it) and do a drive thru car wash.

 


<<

<< I use them all the time, but just for the high pressure. I bring a bucket and car soap and hand wash it so it only costs me $2 and I get a good wash. >>



ditto >>




Roger that ditto. Ditto that ditto. Double the ditto. Ditto. 🙂

$1.50 in quarters for initial rinse to get dirt off and wet the car and fill the bucket.
Wash by hand w/my bucket and sponge/brushes for wheels
$1.50 in quarters to rinse.

Total cost: $3.00 and 90 minutes of my time.

The LaserWash costs $5.00 and does half as good a job. However, the LaserWash is done in 5 minutes and I'm not dirty, sweaty or wet.
 
I use the pressure washer car wash a lot. Once you get the method down you can clean your car very good in about 5-10 minutes. This only works if you clean your car very good 1-2 times a week.

BTW do not use that damn brush either.


 
I take mine to the REAL car wash. Yeah, it's $15 but you get the inside cleaned, windows cleaned, tires armor-all'ed, wash, wax, etc. Plus I get to sit outside and read the paper while an army of underpaid immigrants tends to my vehicle. Viva America.
 
I use the pressure washers every now and then to get the bugs off, but they just seem to move the dirt around. I never use the drive through car washes with the touchless variety being the occasional exception. Too expensive to go very often. Sponge and bucket is the way to go. Even down to a dishwashing brush and/or toothbrush on the wheels. 🙂
 
The self-service pressure washer car wash is better on the car paint than the spinning brushes they use in the automatic places. They is a possibility of getting your car scratch with them.

I perfer doing it at home with hose and bucket,

But in the cold winter I use the self sercive pressure sprayer a few times. It is around $2.50 -$3.50 around here in RI.
 
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