Ok, we have all seen the forecast for the week. Overcast, possible snow, and just plain cold. Now generally I would just write off any ideas to wash the MINI, but damn, she is dirty. I was out in Lebanon today, and between the construction and the snow, there was mud and muck everywhere.

So begs the question. Who uses the auto wash places for a quicky clean? Mike's Express Car Wash looks nice, but it is not touchless. I swore I would never use one of those, but I might have to make an exception. Anyone have a suggestion?

 

We have a Legends here in Plainfield. It is touchless and does a pretty good job. If you are gonna be West this week end it is on SR267 between US40 and I70.

 

Mike's leaves bits of cloth in the chrome and tends to "lift" the left front wheel off the ground (not good).

I've heard nice things about the touchless ones that don't drag the car through.

 

Caution Don't Use Mikes car wash. The track that pulls your car through the wash will catch on your left rear shock. When it does this it will rip the rubber boot protector off, bend the washer on the lower bolt and I saw one that the rear alignment was out after using the wash. I know this because I have seen it on several cars and usually there was little peices of plastic stuck on the bolt. When I asked my customers what car wash they used they all said Mikes. I would suggest using a touchless, only thing is you have to find one. Hope this helps.

 

Just found out that there is another touchless in Avon. It is right on US36. It's call Splash Car Wash. That would be a little closer to you!

Can

 

I kind of had a feeling that Mike's was no good, but wow, that is really bad . I think I know where Splash is in Avon, just pass Wal-Mart. I am out that direciton a bit so I think I will give it a try. Gotta do something. My hope is to get her just a good cleaning so I can give her a quick detail in the garage, with some heat of course.

 

Don't forget to come back and let us know if the Splash does the good job or not.

 

The Murphy USA in front of the Avon Wally Mart is getting a Car Wash. I don't know if it is a brushless or what. I see the neeto clear building every day. I guess it is so that everyone can see how dirty your car was and how fantasticly it cleans your car. I have no idea when it opens.


Thanks for the warnings about Mike's. I had no idea it was not MINI friendly!

 

Just get everything ready bucket of warm soapy water etc etc...then put on your I am the flash hat....and wash her ....I used to do this in the middle of winterit would be just around freezing but I loved my cossie that much...LOL...as long as the hose water is running it won't freeze...so rinse her down...and then scrob the whole car at once, rise dry...I dunno...I guess I am crazy

 

He's crazy .................................like a moose..

 

Hey, there is nothing wrong with being crazy . I am thinking I might give that a try tomorrow. I just worry about the water freezing and my driveway turning into a skating rink. It is pretty flat.

On the note of "Splash Car Wash" in Avon. I took my Volvo out there today to give it a shot. It is a touchless spray system that does use heated water. Standard wash was $6. Didn't do a very good job. The car was pretty dirty to begin with, but all the wash did was move the dirt around. And on a down note, the dryer only runs for 60 secs, so you have to dry fast. Needless to say when I got up to Target to take a look, I already had a rear truck lid that was frozen solid. Might be an ok fix if you just want to do a touch cleaning, but not good if you have any kind of road grimme.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience. I guess most of the touchless car wash is the same. They don't do very good job at all. The best way to keep your MINI clean is washing by yourself.

Have anybody try the Mr. Clean new car wash product? I don't remember the name... something that you don't need to dry by yourself...

 

In the winter, I just have the dealership do it. It's free.

 

I have tried the Mr. Clean product. You still have to do most of the work that you would anyway, except for the drying part. Ok for a quick job.

 

Well I think in the end we have all learned (or for some just reminded) that the best way to wash your MINI is to do it yourself. They are certainly many other options, just none as good. All we can now is wait for +40 degree weather. Maybe tomorrow.

 

Hey Cam

That pic looks like Kingston Wa.
For sure wait for at least 40 deg. Last year I tried to wash in 30 plus nothing. All I got was a mini pop. (What was I thinking ?)I wasn't. Put it back in the garage fired up the propane heater and set it to defrost.

 

I went to D&R wash my babe yesterday. The temp was 37 degree. Friendly D&R people helps me dry my babe after the touchless washing. My babe is very clean and has no problem with the low temp. Thanks D&R people.

 

That is indeed Kingston. Such a nice pic, all clean and waxed that day. I think by the end though she was a looking a bit gritty. You should see her now. I think it has been about two weeks since a wash.

 

D&R, Dryer Reybold? They have a touchless car wash system? How much is it to use?

 

Free on Saturday.

 

Got a good look at the car wash at the Murphy USA in front of the Avon Wally Mart. Well traffic is almost non existant at 5 am!

Anyway, it is not a touchless, but is cloth based not brush based. I may try it on my current car. I don't know if it is MINI friedly or not. The thing is extremely well lit up and the clear walls lets everyone see your car becoming cleen again, or how pore of a job it does!

 

Here I am in good old warm Arizona, reading about everyone trying to figure out how to wash their car in the subfreezing weather. The problem is though, I don't have time to wash my MINI. I think we need some kind of time/weather sharing thing going on to make everyone happy! oh well, probably this weekend, forcast says 70 and sunny .

 

In anticipation of the colder weather heading our way, so they say, I washed my car today in the driveway. It wasn't too bad. I can stand doing it down to around 40 or so. I started to do it yesterday but found my hose to be frozen solid. I brought it in to the basement to dethaw and it worked like a champ today. I was sure to unhook it and drain it out so this would not happen again.

 

Dreyer Reinbold??? Terrible wash job today after service. Oil change and tire rotation--$139.17 and never even touched the backglass with a cloth.

 

But it's FREE!!!! And in these cold temps, take what you can get to get that salt off.

Also, why the expense? We know someone that may do it MUCH cheaper.