I would much prefer to wash my lil guy myself in our driveway, but it's way tooo cold to do that in the winter months. Is it OK to use a, commercial brushless drive thru car wash?

 

As long as nothing other than water physically touches the car, you're probably AOK. I like the hand held places because it allows me to focus on the worst areas of salt accumulation. Like you, I can't wait for spring to really wash all that winter crap off the cars and give them a good detailing.

 

Hey iamsteve710,

Depending on how much time I have and how dirty the MINI is, I use the brushless at the gas station. If its real dirty the brushless dosn't seem to get all the grime off. What I like to do when its cold out is go to the "do it yourself spray wash". I take a 5 gallon bucket and micro fiber mitt and shammy. Fill the bucket with soapy water from the car wash place and wash it like at home then dry off and hit the road.
The place I go to is $2.00 for 4 minutes. I use the first $2.00 to pre rinse and get soapy water. Then wash the MINI and $2.00 more for final rinse with spot free. The touchless wash is at least $7.00.

Any way thats what I do.

P.S. I did see a pic posted of what some car wash did to somones left rear wheel arch, tore a big chunk off

 

This is a REALLY GREAT idea! I can't believe I never thought of doing it this way.

 

The owner is usually there and he didn't say anything. I go weekly so I might be his best customer. My wife thinks I wash the MINI too much or thinks the neighbors might think so. Going there keeps me from looking OCD about the MINI.

 

During winter I use the local Laserwash, particularly for the undercarriage rinse. Even after it warms up enough to wash by hand I'll use the undercarriage feature until they stop using salt for the year.

 

living in upstate new york i go through a laser wash twice a week. (just to get the inch layer of salt off)

the time i drive 30 miles after, you cant even tell it was washed.

But to answer your question, as long as its a touchfree wash, go right a head

and now that we are on the topic, anyone experience steam from the engine during the car wash, hahaha i love it, makes it look like a breathing dragon

 

Great suggestion Shorty

 

Same here. Great way to get the car very clean during winter. I've even done it in warmer months when pressed for time.

PS - be careful with touchless drive through. Had my third brake light shot out by the high pressure water.