Any one have any luck finding a carwash that works? I went to our local one and hoped to have the front and sides done, with me doing the boot at home. It didn't even get the bugs off the windshield! (I got my money back.)

Is there a type that actually works on our little cars?

 

I have better luck with the do-it-yourself style because you can control what gets cleaned and how picky you are about it. In the end, I spend about the same anyway so the only problem is the current weather wherever you are. Its snowing here so there's no cleaning today.

 

I wound up washing it at home, but I really hurt at the end. I broke my back 3 years ago in a crash, so standing that long is a real problem. That's why I was hoping for something to take part of the job off my hands.

 

Do you have a drive through in your area that actually employs people? I went through one of those over the summer and my car turned out great. For $20, they cleaned the wheels, interior, exterior and vacuumed the carpets.

 

There's a 'manned' drive-thru near me, but all they do is spread soap on the wheels and back side before being pulled through the auto-mutilator.

Spend a few $$$ and have it detailed once or twice a year. I just had my PT done, and it looks and smells brand new inside and out. Definitely worth it, especially with the dog hair I had piled up about a foot thick in the back seat. A quick hosing should clean it off in between major cleanings. It's the least you can do for your baby!

 

In the summer I wash myself. In the winter I take it to a touchless car wash since all other conventional car washes have that damn wheel rail that scrapes my under carriage.

 

I would hope you wash yourself all year around.

 

nah.. I just open my window on the MINI and stick my head out during the car wash... pretty strong stuff, industrial strength stuff..

 

My driveway works pretty good on overcast days and early morning, late afternoon times. Never thought of having a machine that washes hundreds of car with the same "brushes" clean my Mini, or any car I I care about. Hand washing is good for ya!

 

You obviously missed the part about breaking my back.

 

I feel your pain with the back issues. I got hit by a truck while riding a motorcycle a couple years back.
One thing you could do for washing at home is adjust your washing regimen so it's very efficient. I can wash my car in less than 5 minutes in the driveway and that includes drying it.
I use a foam gun to apply the soap to the rims first and then use a brush to clean. I then foam the entire car in one shot, then sponge the whole car from top to bottom. Rinse, and then dry with some "Big Thirsty" micro fiber drying towels. Super easy.

Touchless washes won't get the real grime off, and if you cant' find a good hands on car wash that you trust you're just going to have to DIY.

 

What's a foam gun? Got a pic or a manufacturer's name?

 

Having C2-C5 in my neck and 3 in my lower back shatter in a dirt bike accident I feel some of your pain. I still wash my car by hand though. Even though I can barely sit in it long enough to drive it a distance to make it dirty.

Any neighbors who might wash it for you or help?

My friend has had 7 or 8 back surgeries and uses one of those rolling mechanic seats that sit about a foot off the ground to wash his car. It helps him since he does not have to bend at all. I think he uses a brush on a long handle to reach the roof (while standing; not from that rolling seat).

 

My husband usually washes my car. He was out of town for several days, and came home sick, though. The car got very dirty during the rally he couldn't be a part of, and it wasn't fair for him to have to do the job this time.

I really was hoping that someone had an idea of what KIND of automatic washer would work on a MINI. As I said, I figured if the front, top, and sides could be done, I could tackle the back, which I knew wouldn't be long enough to be positioned correctly. I've since found out that the particular car wash I used wasn't good enough to knock a gnat off a dog. My neighbor tried it on her van (which is what it seemed to be sized for), and my husband has also tried it on the commuter van he drives for his carpool.

At any rate, it appears that no one has any idea of a specific type to look for, other than an expensive detailing.

 

There is a touchless automatic that I use in a pinch... you drive into the bay and sit there while a gantry with rotating sprays goes forward and back over the car. I don't trust it to do anything other than blast out dirt and such... it's not as effective at removing caked-on bugs, for instance.

 

*Someone* has to feel qualified to give you an answer better than DON'T.

~Neal

 

The touchless gantry kind work OK, and they won't scratch your paint. When you get the car home you can QD (Quick Detail spray) to finish it up. Don't bother with the deluxe wash, just go for the cheaper regular one, cleans the car just as well.

Read the Detailing forum https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...splay.php?f=12
For more tips

Mark

 

Yeah I agree...the touchless kind where you just park in the bay and it circles around are not terrible for someone who cannot do it themselves...although really no kind of auto wash is going to get stuck-on bugs off, but at least it won't scratch the paint. Even DIYing it takes some scrubbing for those bugs.

With regards to your back, have you seen/tried the newer washmits that have long telescoping pads attached so you don't have to do any bending/reaaching? I know Griot's makes one and they make good quality stuff that won't hurt the paint. Just a thought, if there is no better auto wash solution near you and you have to do this once in awhile when your husband can't.

 

I tend to go to the local Spray and Pray (Those places in which you put in 2 bucks and use the spray hose). I don't have to bend and I hose off my baby just fine. I got the lambs wool mitt for better cleaning but it should do you well with just the spray hose in a pinch.

 

Sorry to hear about your back and I am sure if you could wash your car if you could without pain.

Have you ever tried a detailer's chair? It is basically a seat on wheels. I know you would have to stand for the top portion, but could sit during the sides and wheels to wash and dry. Click here for idea OK...this one is a little extreme but ya get the point

Also, what about paying a teenager you trust to wash your car....supervised of course.

Last I can think of has been mentioned befrore....touchless car wash.

George

 

Washing by hand here in minus 8 degrees is a bit tough. Just the day before "the cool down", when it was only 20, a big dumb old lumber truck came roaring by in some slush, got too close to my lane as I sat waiting for a left turn signal, and slobbered my car bumper to bumper. Now I have a nice frosted speckled effect.

One more good reason to move to California or Arizona.... I managed a couple touchless car washes here in MN last winter when the places were open- they shut down at 10 degrees or so. I found one of those coin-op places down in Northfield, so I'll drive down there for a joy ride later on when I get the spring itch (in March).

And back pains- OWW! Feel your pain- Back surgery is in my past history too. I like the IDEA of washing the Liberator sitting on a stool... can't picture me getting the job done like that though.

Sir M.

 

The thing i usually do before winter is a good wash, clay, and wax. It's a good defence. Then it's the whole winter with only 2-3 washes in the touchless automatic. After winter, wash, clay and wax again. It all comes off. No problems with currosion for me, save my lower door jam seals and a bit of that chrome belt trim.