I went and washed my truck at a do-it-yourself carwash that I have been using for years. When I put the money in the machineI I found that they raised the price from $1.25 to $1.50. You used to get over four minutes on that $1.25. Now its only like two and a half minutes for more money. I didn't even get the spray soap on the truck before the minute timer started beeping. The bad thing is the stupid thing didn't even clean my truck. That is the last time that I will ever go their again. i would rather wash my truck by hand in frezzing temps than go back to that place. Isn't ridiculous that all some people care about is making a few dollars. If they keep doing this they are going to start losing customers. Anyone else see any of this happen? Does anyone even use these car washes?

 

Though I don't like to use them I am kind of forced to do so during the winters back here in the east (New Hampshire) there is just no way during some cold periods I could wash my truck by hand.

I usally wash my truck on a regular basis no matter if its by hand or car wash. During the winter its very important to keep it as clean as possible due to road salt. Not doing so would cost MUCH more money then I spend on car washes, rust etc. Though the quarter panels on my truck bed (flareside) are composit material, wont rust, there is ALOT of other areas if not kept clean would rust. Not to mention it would just look like crap the resale value would fall through the floor.

I have noticed this year it has been MUCH easier getting the crap, salt etc off the truck since I have been using Zaino polish.

Like I said I only use them if I HAVE to due to weather conditions, other then that it is always by hand.

 

01 XLT Sport

I dont have the problem with snow or ice, but I have a problem with mud and dust because I live on a dirt road. Like you said, it is important to keep yur vehicle clean because mud can do the same thing. I also live near the ocean and along a river so salt can also be a problem taking my boat out. It sometimes gets cold here too so then too it is impossible to do it by hand and must use a car wash. There aren't too many others around, so I will have to find another one that is not a rip off.
By the way, Where did you get the Zaino polish. I have never heard of it before until I heard about it in one of the forums here.

 

Geesh 01 XLT... Zaino paying you by the post? LOL...

Next thing we can expect is you putting 'ZAINO' in every other post on the 'WORLD'S LONGEST THREAD' down in General Discussions. LMAO

 

I use the carwash 2-3 times a week when i have to drive in the winter when theres salt/snow. I dont go thru the auto, i use the manuel bay and just use soap and rinse. I rinse everything--behind cab, under fenders, wheels, and all the underbody. I too have noticed that useing a good wax several times prior to winter helps to keep alot of the sludge off and makes it cleaner when you wash.

 

I agree with Green_98, if your going to use a car wash, especially with mud etc. it is best to use the bay so you can get underneath real good. Thats how I do it. Still rather wash by hand, but when its like 20 degrees with windchill of -5, just can't do it.

Rocks:

LOL, you disapoint me, I would have figured you would have started with "Here we go again with the Zaino debate" no matter what you may use, like Green_98 stated if you use a good wax/polish it not only helps make it a bit easier to get the junk off but also puts, if anything, a small barrier between the moisture and any nicks in the paint.

Hey, Rock if I ever become a Zaino distribator, if one can, I will cut you a break on cost...

paulv107:

If you want to know more about Zaino and how to get it go to zainobros.com, Harley another member on here really likes it as well. You could start a thread on here, maybe a title of "tell me more about Zaino" and get some more information on it.

 

Nah, look into becoming a Meguiars distributor first and we might be able to talk a little business then...

HAHAHA!

RP

 

I thought Intel had the Meguiars market all taken care of...

 

When i go to the hand car wash i take my own bucket with water & soap already in it. I rinse then wash the truck then rinse again. I know they don't like this but i am not using that brush they have. It was busy the other day when i went so i had to rush so i wouldn't **** anyone off.

 

I don't use the car wash chemicals either.... I do exactly what you do 67... I use the water and that's it.

I've noticed that alot of the local car washes have actually posted signs that say 'NO BUCKET WASHING'. I guess that's because of people like you and me...hhahaha


01XLT... nah, Intel isn't the meguiars guru in the bunch (although, I think he's using a few of their products). Me, on the other hand, it's the only thing I use. Everything (except my Vinylex) is Meguiars.



RP

 

The only Meguiar's Products I use are their plastic polish and cleaner.

Other than that nothing. I only recommend a few of their products b/c you can run to pepboys or similar and pick up a bottle.

 

I pulled three buckets (joint compound) out of the trash and saved the lids as well. I fill them with hot water and Megiuars soap, lid them up and drive them to the self serve car wash. Each bucket gets their own Microfiber towels tossed in as well.
I use the car wash spray and I wash the truck down and hit the wheels with the presoak soap. I also have a few milkcrates which I stand on to reach the top of the truck. Bucket one is just for the top flat surfaces and the windows,front grill and bumpers. Bucket two is for the sides,vertical surfaces and bucket three is for the wheels alone.
I use rubber gloves and can wash the truck in about 20 minutes and follow up with the car wash spray to finish it. There are signs posted about "Bucket" washing but I just avoid the place during busy periods and the workers have never said a word. The hot water helps to keep my hands warm while I wash the truck.
If the truck is really bad I will take clean hot water buckets to rinse the microfiber cloths between uses. It is amazing how much dirt rinses into these buckets.

 

The only times I use those do-it-yourself washes is when I need a pressure washer to get some gunk out from under the truck.

I stopped using those stupid things when I just got my car painted a couple of months earlier and went to wash to clean my baby up. I got the foam brush goin' and scrubbed all that nasty road scum off. I got her home after sprayin' her off and low and behold the sun hits my new paint job. This should have been a beautiful site. Instead of seeing deep Gun metal Gray paint. I saw nasty scratches ALL OVER THE CAR.

As all of us know, now, those brushes are used by all the 4x4 guys to scrub mud and rocks off their trucks.
Well, I was 17 and not experienced in the ways of the car wash worlds.

Luckly I was able to buff those scratches out. After that, I only use them for the pressure washer if I don't have my own handy.

BE CAREFUL GUYS, THOSE CAR WASHES ARE OUT TO GET YA!!

 

Wish I could use a bucket at the car wash. Not that they won't let you but when I go it is only because it is way to cold to do any hand washing with hand in bucket of soap and water. I mean when its like 20 degrees or colder you just ain't going to be able to stick your hand in and out of a bucket of water.

I must say I hate having to use a car wash, but with the choice of either using the car wash or leaving all the crap, mainly salt, on my truck then the car wash is ok until its warm enough. Don't get me wrong its not like we dont have some warm days during winter and I look for them and if possible wash by hand.

Intel:

I was kidding about the market thing. I know you use alot of the professional products, as well as give excellent advice on here to people about what to use, how, when etc. Still wish you were my neighbor...

 

Here's my perspective as a Carwash and F150 owner. My wife and I work our asses off to run a top notch operation 7 days a week 365 days a year so that our customers always get what they pay for.
We supply hot water, high dollar soap, spot free rinse, and many other things that the average customer might not pay much attention to but it's there and my competition can't or won't supply.
Why? We want your business.
I don't need a bunch of bucket washers, pickup bed washers, or mudders to make my day. This is a business and I need to put food on my table.
If you have money in the meter and the light is on, go ahead and do what you want within reason.
If you are just taking up space or want some place to dump your trash then go down the street to my competition.
He's cheaper for a reason.