Is it wrong to take a NHBP si to the Do it yourself Carwash?

[carspidey]

I don't know if this is the correct place to ask this, but i was wondering (i don't have a house where i can wash the car) if taking it to the car wash and applying their soap, and wax was ok?

Is that wax enough if I were to do this once a week (once every two weeks at most)?

I can always wax it myself once a month....

What do you think?

Does anybody here do this and it's ok?

[distrbd]

Originally Posted by carspidey

I don't know if this is the correct place to ask this, but i was wondering (i don't have a house where i can wash the car) if taking it to the car wash and applying their soap, and wax was ok?

Is that wax enough if I were to do this once a week (once every two weeks at most)?

I can always wax it myself once a month....

What do you think?

Does anybody here do this and it's ok?

Please try to avoid going to a car wash period,you could try one of those places which is coin operated and you wash it yourself.
Dry it there then if they have a designated place for vacuuming the interior of your car maybe you can wax there using something like Colinite insulator wax which will last you 5-6 months.
From then on you can just wash the car the same way then just use a quick detailer to keep the shine ,do this every month or 2 weeks.
Use Colinite 2 times a year.

[carspidey]

That's what i meant by taking it to the car wash... like you said.. the coin operated ones...

So, you are saying I should only apply the wax twice a year?

And it is fine to take it there once every two weeks or once a month..???

Thanks

[Slow_si]

Black cars look like ass when they have those spots on them. I'd do like i do and hand wash.


Edit: Post 999

[nayilsi]

Im lazy....I just take it to the lousy touch-frees........

[distrbd]

Originally Posted by carspidey

That's what i meant by taking it to the car wash... like you said.. the coin operated ones...

So, you are saying I should only apply the wax twice a year?

And it is fine to take it there once every two weeks or once a month..???

Thanks

Yes 2 times a year for waxing and wash 2-3 times a month, only because as you mentioned it's harder for you since you don't live in a house and/or not have access to a driveway.
I on the other hand wash my cars once a week and wax every other week,I enjoy it immensely,specially when the weather cooperates.

[newsiguy]

what i did/do was take it to the coin operated and washed it and dried it brought it home into the garage and did the meguirs 3 step process came out great! (i can't hand wash in my area)

[maiku]

When I use coin opperated places (like when I go out of town) I have my own bucket in the car (always carry it w/ me) and soap, towels and everything else I need. Basically I'm just paying for the water. The brush shouldn't be used on your paint. I use all my own stuff, dry it on the spot, ect. It's nice because they are usually covered, so you can wax there if you want too. :) You need to wax more than twice a year... I wax after about 5 washes, or 3 weeks, but I like my car CLEAN. For most people, wax at least every 3 months.
On a NBP it pays to get all your own stuff and get educated on what types of tools and products to use so you can avoid major swirl damage.

[carspidey]

Is it really bad to use the brush? Would it damage the paint?
It seems that you would wash it quicker like that?

Plus, it's really simple to do...
Does anybody else use the brush with no problems here?

It's not that's i do not want to take care of my car's paint, it's just that time is not something i have too much of...

Anything?

Thanks..

[Englishe30]

no brush...whatever you do stay away from the brush. It will swirl your paint and possibly scratch it...

[Edrik]

The brush is your worst enemy, that thing will leave a million little scratches on your car. What i do is take a wash mitten and soap up the car then hand wash it. Works great!

[carspidey]

OK, I won't use the brush at all...

Keeping my own stuff in the car (my bucket, soap, wax) seems like a great idea, and I can just pay for the water...

Now, I'll go today to either AutoZone or PepBoys... what soap brand and wax brand, maybe mitten brand or type do you guys recommend...

Thanks...

[RedLineSi]

I only wash my Si at my house with meguires soap and a microfiber glove.

[maiku]

Originally Posted by carspidey

OK, I won't use the brush at all...

Keeping my own stuff in the car (my bucket, soap, wax) seems like a great idea, and I can just pay for the water...

Now, I'll go today to either AutoZone or PepBoys... what soap brand and wax brand, maybe mitten brand or type do you guys recommend...

Thanks...

The brush is great for the wheels, I just highly recommend not using it on the paint since Honda paint is VERY soft especially if your rollin in there on a hot day (paint is softer when heated)
Some decent over the counter products are Meguiars Gold Class car wash soap, and pick up a nice sheepskin mitt to wash it down w/. The bucket I use, and keep in my car I got at Target in the auto care section. It's a orange multi purpose bucket.. It's only a couple of gallons but one side is flat and can be used as a dust-pan, although I just think it's nice b/c the flat side will sit nicely in the trunk w/o rolling around. A little strip of velcro tape (the harder side) sticks nicely to our carpet in the trunk, so put a little piece on the bucket and it won't move. The soap you can just pour into an empty water bottle so you don't have to lug around the big container. Everything should be able to fit in the bucket.
If you rarely wash your car though, I recommend getting two buckets and washing using the two bucket method w/ Grit Guard (lots of how-to's on that already, so I won't go into it) I wash my car a couple of times a week so it's not very dirty when I wash it down. The initial spray off gets 90% of the crud off already. Pick up some nice micro fiber towels too. I recommend getting them online, because all micro fiber are not created equal. But if you want to buy them in-store, the grey ones at Target aren't bad. If you want good ones, look at Cobra microfiber towels or Chemical Guys has some nice ones you can order too. Use them for any painted surface as they are delicate and won't leave swirl marks.
Keep reading around here. Just reading some of the threads here will teach you a lot. Have fun, and GL!

[playaction]

Originally Posted by carspidey

Is it really bad to use the brush? Would it damage the paint?
It seems that you would wash it quicker like that?

Plus, it's really simple to do...
Does anybody else use the brush with no problems here?

It's not that's i do not want to take care of my car's paint, it's just that time is not something i have too much of...

Anything?

Thanks..

nooo brush. it will ruin any cars paint, let alone the shitty honda paint job

[tuner student]

i do like some said just use the water at the coin place and that vacum. i used the brush once or twice before i learned the proper way and that may have created the swirl marks. not sure or if its something i still do wrong

[MATT_FA5]

its convenient...but not good.

[chrisfrofro]

touch free only!

[Chris157]

I lived in apartments for many years and had to make do with the do-it-yourself wash places. Over the years, I developed a pretty good system. The first thing I learned was NEVER USE THE BRUSH! As others have suggested, always take your own bucket, wash mitt and cleaning supplies and just use their hose.

I would always fill the bucket up at home. This way you can get nice, warm water in there. I also found that the high pressure wand at the car wash made it difficult to fill the bucket there. It would either knock the bucket over, or the water would just blast right back out of the bucket as I tried to fill it. You just have to be careful you don't spill on the way to the car wash; don't drive like a maniac.

Also, I found some places are strict about their "no hand washing" policy, but most places don't care. Regardless, if people are waiting, move your car out of the bay to dry it.

Remember: NEVER USE THE BRUSH!!

Happy cleaning