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Welcome to North American Motoring ! |
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Welcome to North American Motoring,
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!
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12-19-2005, 11:26 AM
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1st Gear
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston & Maine
Posts: 14
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Where is touchless wash in Boston area?
I've got to clean my Mini, but my outside faucets are all closed up for the winter. Where is there a touchless wash place, preferably Cambridge/Medford/Arlington/Woburn/Stoneham area? I've read about laserwashes and such but I can't remember if or where I've seen one.
Thanks for the help. My Mini will thank you, too.
EGB
Winchester, MA
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12-19-2005, 11:40 AM
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Vendor
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Lakeside, CA
Posts: 2,135
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12-19-2005, 02:48 PM
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6th Gear
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Somerville, MA
Posts: 7,046
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I go to the Scrub-a-Dub (self service wash bays) on Market Street in Brighton. It's 3 blocks from my apartment. If you Google their website, I'm pretty sure they have a bunch of other locations. The only other one I can think of is on Route 1 (Saugus, maybe?), on the way to MINI of Peabody.
__________________
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy." - Tom Waits
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12-19-2005, 02:54 PM
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1st Gear
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston & Maine
Posts: 14
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touchless search continued
Some Scrub a Dubs have touchless and/or self-service; some don't, according to their website. I'll try Brighton; it's close to work.
I'd like to try one of these touchless/laser washers rather than the do-it-yourself spray wands. I'm not convinced the high-power wand is a great thing for the paint on any car.
Thanks for the tip.
Stay warm.
EGB
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12-19-2005, 04:43 PM
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2nd Gear
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 58
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Hi,
Check out these people as well;
http://www.flosautobath.com/pages/1/index.htm
I lived down the street from them for several years, used them maybe a few times back when I owned a beater ;)
How well do the touchless washes actually work?
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12-20-2005, 01:17 AM
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4th Gear
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Bahstun, MA
Posts: 413
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If you're out in MetroWest, there's one on Rte. 9 East in Westboro. It's just before the Target, across from the Walmart.
It's the laser type. I find it's "OK" for a quick rinse to get all the road salt and gunk off. If you're expecting the car to be sparkling, it won't be.
Then if it's "warmer", I put on the thick rubber gloves, gore-tex, and do the hand spray/wash.
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12-20-2005, 07:12 AM
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1st Gear
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston & Maine
Posts: 14
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Thanks for laser wash info
Thanks guys for the tip on Flo's and laser washing in general. If they are open they are not too far and the equipment sounds right.
Warm weather, please....
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12-22-2005, 11:26 AM
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2nd Gear
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 97
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by chrisneal
I go to the Scrub-a-Dub (self service wash bays) on Market Street in Brighton. It's 3 blocks from my apartment. If you Google their website, I'm pretty sure they have a bunch of other locations. The only other one I can think of is on Route 1 (Saugus, maybe?), on the way to MINI of Peabody.
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Chris are you the Red Mini that sometimes parks on Murdock St?
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12-22-2005, 12:26 PM
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1st Gear
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston & Maine
Posts: 14
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"You have a garage?"
Yes, but I share it, there's no floor drain, and it's cramped, dark and cold. I'm worried about washing the Mini and having it freeze solid - I am already having some trouble with the driver's outside door latch sticking.
EGB
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12-22-2005, 12:33 PM
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6th Gear
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Somerville, MA
Posts: 7,046
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zarrik
Chris are you the Red Mini that sometimes parks on Murdock St?
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Yup, that's me! I live on Murdock. I see your car is DS - are you the one who parks near the bottom of Dustin Street?  There's also a hyper blue a couple of blocks up from me with "sellbrookline.com" decals on the side skirts.
__________________
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy." - Tom Waits
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12-22-2005, 12:35 PM
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2nd Gear
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 97
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Yep, I'm the DS that lives on Dustin side of Montcalm Ave  I've chatted with the guy who owns the sellbrookline.com Mini. He lives in the apartment building next to me. There is an Indie Blue Mini that sometimes parks at the bottom of Dustin too.
We're a Mini neighborhood 
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12-22-2005, 02:30 PM
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6th Gear
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 1,390
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Small world. Well, I guess not around here, there are a billion minis.
You guys should head over to mini2 when it gets back up where most people in our area talk and form events.
Do you have electricity in that garage? You could plug in a space heater for a few hours when washing it.
But yeah I usually go to the lechemere wash then drive as fast as I can to blow off as much water as possible before it turns to ice. 
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12-22-2005, 02:49 PM
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2nd Gear
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 97
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Has anyone ever gone to the Allston car wash on Cambridge St? The fact that they hand dry the car is kind of nice. I've never been, so I have no idea if it's a pull through or what.
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01-03-2006, 08:54 AM
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1st Gear
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston & Maine
Posts: 14
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Flo's Laser Wash in Wakefield - thumbs up
Have taken my red mini through this laser wash twice now. It works well, though it is nothing like a really good hand washing. You drive up, stick your moneyor charge card in the computerized machine ($9-10), the overhead door opens, you drive in, the door shuts, and the machine goes to work - rinses, spreads some kind of soap, washes, blow-dries (not very dry). Nothing touches the car except liquids and air. The other bay door opens, you drive out. Open 24/7, they say.
It's on Rte. 129 just east of Wakefield center.
By the way, is there any way to keep the back of my car from accumulating several inches of dirt when driving in the winter? It seems to be a magnet for road grime, sand, etc.
EGB
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12-20-2005, 12:34 PM
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6th Gear
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 1,390
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by egb
I've got to clean my Mini, but my outside faucets are all closed up for the winter. Where is there a touchless wash place, preferably Cambridge/Medford/Arlington/Woburn/Stoneham area? I've read about laserwashes and such but I can't remember if or where I've seen one.
Thanks for the help. My Mini will thank you, too.
EGB
Winchester, MA
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In the winter I wash my car at Lechemere car wash...at the beginning of McGrath highway, near lechemere and cambridgeside. Rinse your car down with the freeflowing water before putting in tokens.
Or do you mean a non-do-it-yourself pull-though? I wouldn't dare submit my car to those things.
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12-21-2005, 10:01 AM
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4th Gear
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Metro Boston, Massachusetts
Posts: 349
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There's one at the Shell station in Waltham (intersection of Trapelo Road & Lexington Street). It's one of those single car units, but I believe it's touchless.
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12-21-2005, 12:54 PM
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1st Gear
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boston & Maine
Posts: 14
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touchless continued
No, in reply to jwardwell, not a drag-through. I need one of those robot touchless washers that circles a stationary car - now, thanks to this thread, I've got a couple of possibilities. Or I could heat my garage.
It's going to be warmer the next few days - above freezing, thank you - I will check out at least one wash station and report back.
Thanks.
EGB
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12-21-2005, 01:46 PM
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6th Gear
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 1,390
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you have a garage!?! heck, I would pay money to use yours!  I can only dream, and make due with horrible coinop washes in the winter.
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01-13-2006, 08:38 PM
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1st Gear
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 23
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There is touchless car wash on Route One south in Saugus
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