Automatic Car Wash ... do you take your moggie through?

[kas279n]

My Moggie needs a good wash, but we don't really have the space on the driveway and I'm feeling really lazy ... do you take your car through an automatic car wash, a hand wash where someone else does it, or do it yourself? Yes, I know, the latter is the best!

Aside from the lazy aspect, I'd quite like to get the underside cleaned properly after all the recent snow and grit on the roads ... plus I've had to have some welding done recently too so want to look after it as well as possible.

[mike.perry]

I do not use an automatic wash because it would probably destroy the aerial and wing mirrors.
I wash the cars myself as I can wash them in one session and I can also get the power hose underneath to get all the road crud off, and also give the front wheels of the Fucus a good wash to remove the brake dust.
It would take all day to take one car at a time to the car wash and join the back of the queue each time. Plus the cost of the car wash.
In your position without home facilities, I would go for the hand wash.
You never know, as it's a Morris Minor they might take an interest and do a half decent job

[Peetee]

Car washers just beat your paintwork to death.
Theres no substitute to the hand wash cos you get to inspect every inch of your bodywork and notice things that need attention before they are a problem.

[ASL642]

Mine prefers a nice warm massage with a soapy sponge followed by a rub over with a chammy

[PSL184]

Mine prefers a nice warm massage with a soapy sponge followed by a rub over with a chammy

Now we know what Jon likes - what about your car, Lou ? ;-)

[kas279n]

I did take the lazy option, but it was the lazy handwash one! She's all pretty and clean now.

I would usually wash her myself, but we're not living in our own place at the moment. It was hard enough finding a rental property with a garage for CC (my Moggie) and room to park our other cars - let alone having car washing facilities or space to wash the cars!

Kathryn

[egsj]

I've taken my Traveller through an automatic car wash a couple of times (I often have to park a couple of streets away from my flat; am hoping to rent a garage soon): no damage done to wood, paintwork or mirrors, and no major leaks(!), but last time it came out rather mottled (I don't know what cleaning gunk they use: I think it differs from one carwash to the next) and I had to use Super Resin polish to rub out the white-ish splodges and get it nice and shiny. I handwash the mog myself if I'm lucky enough to get a parking spot oustide the flat (a rarity!), but mostly I take it to a local handwash place - and I've found that these vary a good deal in the level of attention they give to the clean. (The best one for me is actually the cheapest - but also the furthest away!)

I'd say: clean it yourself if you can; if you can't, then experiment with local hand wash places till you find the best one (and maybe polish the car yourself from time to time when you get it home: that's quick and easy); and use an automatic wash rarely, or as a last resort - but don't worry about it if you end up there once in blue moon.

My car's been resprayed with modern two-pack paint; I don't know if that's more resistant than cellulose to whatever stuff they put in an automatic car-wash...

Hope this helps.

Jamesy

[dalebrignall]

i allways wash the car by hand,if i want to do the underneath i go to a jet wash and give the wheelarches a good blast.

[Pyoor_Kate]

I tend to jetwash Rebecca (and Jejy) - most of the money goes on the underside and all the mud-traps though, it's just what's left over (time and water wise) from the jetwash that goes on the pretty bits...

I think they think I'm a bit odd at my local garage

I really must get around to fitting an outside tap, then I could wash 'er at home...

[Kevin]

Personally I dont like Autuomatic car washes and prefer the hand wash ones where a lot more care is taken.

[dunketh]

To use a rather rude expression - I wouldnt touch it with yours!

I wouldnt even put a hire car through one of them mincers - and I live in a 1st floor flat with no outdoor parking!
Its a good walk up the road with two buckets for me!