Where do you get your car washed?
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz California
Hopefully there are places like this by you... There was an automatic place by me that offered a "hand wash", but it's like 20-something for just a wash, and they took it behind the building so I didn't even get to see if it really was hand-washed, or if they snuck it through the automatic
never going there again...
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
we have a self wash center here in the city i live in. It usually costs me about 5 bucks to have it rinsed, soaped, high pressure rinsed...ti takes me about 10 minutes ..after I wash that, i move it forward, i begin detailing the rims. After that, I towel dry the car thoroughly with microfiber towels. Then, I get a air duster that you use to dust your desk or keyboard and i air between the rear lights, side lights and mirrors. Then I sit in the car and begin to vacuum etc.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,415
Likes: 24,798
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I take mine to the local car wash and use the self serve wand to wash it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: Winter Park Fl
Wash your car at night when the local city inspectors are off work and the nosey neighbors are inside watching Dancing with the Stars. I've had a 3 black hand washed Vert. with absolutly no swirls or scratches for 4 years. I'd rathe take a chance getting caught hand washing my car than risking paint swirles by a car wash.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
I think once you have the car clean, and as long as the car is not a daily driver being driven in inclement weather - you might be able to go quite a while without washing (soap and water) the car. You should be able to get by for a long time with detailing spray, microfiber towels and a good quality "seasoned" duster.
My Camaro is only washed using Spray Detailer & Polish, no water. But it is also covered in my garage when not in use. And is only driven on sunny days for short distances. So if your new vette is not a DD, and will reside in your garage while you're not driving it, you can get by with out water and have a shinny vette all the time.
But if it's parked outside in the elements, you got issues. If your local car washes are allowed to use water, then try to find a Brushless Car Wash. Congrats on the new ride!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 20
From: Liberty Hill Texas
When I had water bans, I would take a bucket, sponge, towels, etc... to the local coin$ spray place and just wash it there.
Cost a little more, as you can't turn off the timer on the sprayer while your not using it, but if you worked at it, you could get it done pretty cheap.
Cost a little more, as you can't turn off the timer on the sprayer while your not using it, but if you worked at it, you could get it done pretty cheap.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Loganville Georgia
I too live in Atlanta, and not being able to wash my Vette in the driveway when I want to drives me nuts. What I do is take my own bucket and supplies down to the Self Wash car barn. I use the pressure wand to rinse, but I would never use their brush to wash. I have seen to many 4x4's owners using the brush to knock the dirt off their Boonie Bashers.
It may cost you 5 bucks in quarters, but at least you will have a clean car.
I have been tempted just to use my driveway, but knowing the drought conditions around here I feel better playing it straight.
Good luck with your new Vette.
It may cost you 5 bucks in quarters, but at least you will have a clean car.
I have been tempted just to use my driveway, but knowing the drought conditions around here I feel better playing it straight.
Good luck with your new Vette.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Arizona
Man I'd find a way before letting someone else do the hand wash or worse going to a drive through car wash. I have two cars and hand wash both. Bucket wash inside your garage maybe. With a dark color its even more important to be gentle with the surface
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Always by hand for me. I would do the two bucket method and being carefull not to scrub. I almost wish I had your problem. Here in the northeast Im having withdrawl symptoms not being able to get in it an go.
