Any of you guys take the car out to one of the self washes out there, have any tips I can use? I'm taking about the places with the power hose and the bubble brush. I think the format of these are pretty universal. May be nice to compile some tips, as I always seem to get water spots after I do this wash.

What I do:

1. Use "Rinse" to hose down the car once.
2. Use "Soap" to spray down the car with the soap water.
3. Use bubble brush *only* on windows and wheels, if needed - not on the body.
4. Use "Rinse" to hose down the car again.
5. Use "Wax"/"Clearcoat," spray down the car.
6. Use "Rinse" without squeezing the trigger to wash it off.

So as of now, I still get water spots, even after I take it out on the highway right after. Do I have to use like a California Jelly Blade to wipe the water off first, or is there any other method so I don't have to do that? I don't think other people have this issue...

 

From experiences with washing my MINI, I always have to dry my car off before going anywhere in order to prevent water spots.

 

[QUOTE=kyoo;3910995]Any of you guys take the car out to one of the self washes out there, have any tips I can use? I'm taking about the places with the power hose and the bubble brush. I think the format of these are pretty universal. May be nice to compile some tips, as I always seem to get water spots after I do this wash.

What I do:

1. Use "Rinse" to hose down the car once.
2. Use "Soap" to spray down the car with the soap water.
3. Use bubble brush *only* on windows and wheels, if needed - not on the body.
4. Use "Rinse" to hose down the car again.
5. Use "Wax"/"Clearcoat," spray down the car.
6. Use "Rinse" without squeezing the trigger to wash it off.

So as of now, I still get water spots, even after I take it out on the highway right after. Do I have to use like a California Jelly Blade to wipe the water off first, or is there any other method so I don't have to do that? I don't think other people have this issue...[/QUOTE)

Put on your rain suit and wash it if and when it rains. Then dry it off in the garage. Done it many times. Never a water spot!

 

I believe the spot-free rinse is filtered water and if the fitter is not changed regularly the filter is then useless which at that point isn't going to give you spot free drying. So if it doesn't work the car wash nay need filter changed. BTW, I am no expert on this and could be completely wrong !! LOL !!

 

Do all those washes recycle the water? I would pay extra for fresh clear water.

 

The problem with this kind of car wash facility is that it relies heavily on two things beyond your control: the maintenance of the facility (filters, cleaning the equipment, etc) and the person that went before.

 

thats why i never use the soapy broom thing (or anything from the car wash that has direct contact to the car) to scrub on my mini use their hose and the air dryer

 

This 1000x

 

Could carry a Cleaning cloth when you go wash it, give it a good wipe off. Shouldn't take but a couple minutes and no worries

 

As much as I try not to go to coin-op self car wash places, there are times that I need a quick wash mid work day. I prefer these over the automated gas station car washes; those high speed spinning brushes are not at all gentle and don't reach every corner of the MINI. Many hand wash car spa places typically reuse their washing mitts throughout the day, the cheaper ones do anyway.

The trick is to take the high pressure water spraying thing to blast off any dirt that might be trapped in the soapy broom thing before it touches your car. I'm not sure about the coin-op car washes in your area, but the brushes here look like a giant horsehair brush (like the ones you polish your shoes with). It shouldn't trap in dirt particles like a sponge would.

With my car waxed prior, little to no pressure from the brush is required. I keep a drying towel, a bottle of spray-on wax, and a microfiber towel in the trunk of the Clubman.

Obviously, not all car washes are equal, so scope the place out first, read yelp reviews, etc.

 

I'm trying not to say this in too many threads but look into rinse less or waterless products. I was very doubtful of them when I decided to try them back about 7-8 years ago but now I'm sold. Rinse-less uses 2 gallons in a bucket. Waterless is just like using a quick detailer and takes about 10 minutes to completely wash a MINI. All it takes is a spray bottle and a couple of microfiber towels.

To me, it's a lot better, easier than using a spray wand place.

 

Here's a tip i'd like to offer - take two or three of these with you for drying. They work better than most real chamois' and synthetic chamois' I have ver had.

http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotiv...-drying-towel/