I live at an apartment that does not have access to a hose for water yet the powerwash place I've been going to during the winter to rinse off the salt and grime has a sign saying "no hand washing." My thought was that if I go during the day when it's not busy that no one will really care. Anyone have similar experiences?
-Chris

 

washing your car at the power wash is hand washing

as long as there is no one waiting for the bay, they won't care if you break out a bucket

 

I always at least run a sponge over the car at those places. I don't like to direct the full strength of the water directly at my car, so it's the only way to lift the dirt and grime. I've never had a problem, but then again I've never noticed those signs.

Besides, it's a MINI! It takes about two minutes, tops, to sponge everything, including the wheels.

 

The wash I go to has the same sign, but they have the foaming brush to scrub with, I don't use it ( It is to coarse, and will harm the paint) but I use a cotton mitt, If anyone says anything I,ll tell them it takes just as much time to use the foaming brush.

 

I went on Saturday. The signs where I go say "no bucket washing." Well, I'm not using a bucket, just a sponge that I soap up with the sprayer!

I always get a lot of suds inside the doors on the door sills.

 

And, remember folks, those brushes are for the wheels only! The dirt left in them from previous users will eat up your paint. And, be careful of buckets that you don't pick up grit floating around in the bucket and sandpaper it in to the car. If I use a drive-through, I bring someone else and have them hold the wand over the area that I'm cleaning to keep running liquid over the area.

The best way to maintain your car is to take it to a "brushless" car wash weekly. The paint is clearcoated and any fine scratches will dull the finish. With clearcoat the light has to pass through the clearcoat to reflect off the color. It is not like the days of yore when we had to polish, buff, wax etc etc. So, keeping the clearcoat clean, without scratching it in the process, is the best way to go.

If ya gotta use a sponge, don't use the natural ones that come from the sea--they can have little sandy, gritty pieces embedded in them--use a quality sponge or better yet, a good quality mitt. And, start from the top and work your way down.

I hope I haven't been redundant or bored you. But, then again I probably too **** about keeping cars clean....Sorry

 

Found this site:Wash Your Mini