9ball1104

Been a few years since I washed my own cars. Mostly laziness. Anyone trust their C7's to these guys for a wash and vacuum for $20 + tip? I'm okay with taking my 2006 Mustang there. They're careful and thorough but wondering about the equipment and cleaners.

Glen e

Do some investigation… Nothing wrong with a hand wash if they constantly wash their tools, meeting clean towels and applicators on every car, that's the problem in some places.....

dpb

Provide your equipment, towels, soap. I too have it washed at a detail shop about once a month and they charge me nothing. Because I have all my detail, clear bra, clear coat, detailing done, I just tip the guys $40 bucks and use my stuff.

grandpawmoses

Yeah, I wouldn't want those guys to use the same brushes and rags they just used to wash a 4x4 covered in dirt and sand.

FKING1

2 hand wash places I use in western suburbs of Detroit. Rarely my Vette , but, my daily driven Boss 302 frequently in the winter. One charges $10 & other 12. give them 15 as they both do a good job.

9ball1104

Hadn't thought about bring'n my own towels and wash mitts. Kinda **** but if I do that and they use clean water it would work. I'll mention it to the owner and promise to tip big.

Rockmaninoff

I would make sure that they are consistently keeping the equipment free of debris and dirt. Nothing worse than using a mitt, towel, or other material that hasn't been appropriately freed of that stuff, as it will most assuredly scratch and scuff your paint.

Ask if they're familiar with the 2-bucket method (one dirty bucket and one clean bucket) or otherwise determine how they are going to approach washing your car. If they're cheap, that means it's likely they're reusing or misusing equipment, which would be a big no-no on any vehicle.

Sir Nuke

I do......take it to a hand wash place that is......I call it my driveway. its the only people that I trust with my cars.

dvilin

I am not quite that lazy thankfully as I would not want one of these hand wash operations washing my Vette due to all the concerns and potential problems already expressed in response to your post.

janicept

Agreed. I only let someone else hand wash my C6 twice in five years. Once was a professional detailer which I had no concern about. The other was a guy at the place I always took it for oil changes. I don't know if I would go just anywhere. Plus it really doesn't take long to clean.

If it's a place that just washes car just look at their online reviews. Any concerns just look elsewhere. The detailer I got was only $60 and they come right to your house.

PUGPROUD

My C7 is only hand washed at a local place and always looks great. I pay $10 extra each time for them to finish with a detailing spray wax which adds a fantastic luster.

Digfoot

I actually enjoy washing mine by myself. Just some time alone with her.

John Ulrich

I'm lucky to have a heated quarter wash nearby for winter washing. I took both DD's there last night with a bucket of my favorite suds and bucket washed, dried and then drove home in 15 degree weather.

11B250

worth watching for types of car washing


I don't mind taking my daily drivers to a hand wash place. it's not cheap though... 25-35 bucks.

Corvette is all me. I don't want them touching it. I'm ok with few swirl marks on my daily drivers, not the vette though!

Vegas1500

Washes get done by the same place that do my oil changes.... ME wouldn't trust some kid at a car wash not to drop his rag/sponge on the ground and keep using it. I don't want to be the guy posting a horror story on here about some guy ruining my paint job....just saying.

nmvettec7

9ball1104:

If I can make a few suggestions.

If you were to spend several hours detailing your C7 and applying a good quality paint sealant or paint coating, you would find that washing your own car by hand would be very easy and quick.

The key to a successful hand wash is having the paint surface smooth and using a sealant or coating product that will help resist dirt and grime.

Hand washing is quite easy and usually can be done in 30 minutes time. For what you spend in supplies and materials to apply a paint sealant or paint coating you will easily save from hiring a detailer to hand wash the car for $20 or more.

For many vehicle owners, they find it rewarding deatiling their own vehicle.

Just a suggestion for some thought.