Car Washes - Brushless or otherwise

[Sam_Boss260]

Just interested in people's experiences in these car washes and car wash cafes that are popping up everywhere.

Post up if you use them and why. Or if you don't want to use them and why. Being that most members here are car nuts, I expect most people to wash, detail and maintain their own vehicles. But if you have any stories or experiences that would be great too.

Reason for the post is that I am just doing some research into these operations.

Thanks

[Peuty]

Used the handwash cafe just down the road from me in Toowong - not a bad effort, but there were more scratches than when I started.

They do a killer job on cleaning the interior though (I hate cleaning the interior)

[FTE72]

Can they get out spew chunks in chardonnay sauce?

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by FTE72

Can they get out spew chunks in chardonnay sauce?

Incidentally, no......well not the smell anyway.

[Sam_Boss260]

Thanks Peuty. I was down there having a look on the weekend. Just amazing how many cars were lined up. They seriously have to pump them out quickly just to get through the cars. Not sure on the quality though.....

[MITCHAY]

I always handwash my car when I feel like it, and always find some imperfections so would never use a carwash machine. I'm not a perfectionist but it's annoying. Lately, the rain has done a good enough job lately for me anyways.

I wouldn't pay anyone to wash my car either, just don't see the point.

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by Sam_Boss260

Thanks Peuty. I was down there having a look on the weekend. Just amazing how many cars were lined up. They seriously have to pump them out quickly just to get through the cars. Not sure on the quality though.....

Yeah there is no quality control either - if they miss a spot, then too bad. Personally I wouldn't use them again.

[GS608]

i find that those high pressure brushless washes miss spots everywhere and don't do a very good job at all, numerous times i've come out and looked at my car in the light and seen the dirt shadow? still on the lower part of the front doors, plus they scratch the crap out of your paint.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Peuty

Yeah there is no quality control either - if they miss a spot, then too bad. Personally I wouldn't use them again.

One of these hand wash thingos has just opened up over here in Redcliffe. Have been tempted but wont. There has been some very high quality cars in there (Audi R8) though.

Best option is handwashing yourself if you are able to IMO.

[Lightning Strike XR6]

Why bother in QLD seeing we have no water restrictions? (Gold Coast not sure about Bris)

[Peuty]

Seeing as the OP is from Brisbane and Brisbane DOES have water restrictions, your post is null and void.

There has been some very high quality cars in there (Audi R8)

Yeah there are some nice cars at the Toowong one too, but nine times out of ten the owners of said cars are too busy playing gold and running away with their secretaries to bother hand washing the car themselves. Most Audi owners I know have an Audi as a fashion statement, rather than having an actual love for cars and keeping them immculate.

If that makes sense.

[FPV+fteT3]

A lot of the commercial places that recycle their water use salt as part of the filter process so it's a bit like living near the beach with salt spray. Not a fan of the do it yourself bays or automatic washes. I wash my car by hand and polish by hand as req'd to avoid scratching and swirl marks left by a buff.

Claybars and quality washes, polishes and waxes are your friends. Time well spent with your toy IMO.

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by Peuty

Yeah there is no quality control either - if they miss a spot, then too bad. Personally I wouldn't use them again.

which place was this peuty??? I live in that area and only know of a few places in shopping centres doing this sort of 'drive up and wash' setup. I do my own car cleaning/detailing (as best i can) so i wouldn't really consider such an option. Still i'd be interesting in finding out which one you went too as i know other people that use such services in the area.

Oh and if you don't mind saying how much did they charge from interest....i might get them just to do my interior because i hate interior car cleaning as much as you it seems LOL!

[CHARGED TERRA]

Would your really entrust your pride and joy to someone thats getting paid peanuts to wash your car???

I'll stick to washing my own using these methods

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=63718

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by Swordsman88

which place was this peuty??? I live in that area and only know of a few places in shopping centres doing this sort of 'drive up and wash' setup. I do my own car cleaning/detailing (as best i can) so i wouldn't really consider such an option. Still i'd be interesting in finding out which one you went too as i know other people that use such services in the area.

Oh and if you don't mind saying how much did they charge from interest....i might get them just to do my interior because i hate interior car cleaning as much as you it seems LOL!

That was Hoppy's handwash next door to Toowong Subaru...same building as Hutchinsons H/O. They use a conveyor belt type system, so if they haven't done a good job by the time your car is off the belt, then too bad.

Yeah interior cleaning really sucks!

[Sam_Boss260]

Thanks for the comments guys. It seems that my thoughts are pretty felt across the board. I have been reseraching these places, not to take my car there - no chance in hell, but just who uses them plus why and who don't and why. Call it "business research" if you will.

I do all my own work, interior and exterior and then some.

Swordsman, if you are after your interior detailed give me a PM mate.

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by Peuty

That was Hoppy's handwash next door to Toowong Subaru...same building as Hutchinsons H/O. They use a conveyor belt type system, so if they haven't done a good job by the time your car is off the belt, then too bad.

Yeah interior cleaning really sucks!

Ok i've been past that. Never realised it was a conveyor system though....seems like a good idea except diff. cars taking diff. amounts of effort/time.

Originally Posted by Sam_Boss260

Swordsman, if you are after your interior detailed give me a PM mate.

I'm ok for now Sam.... I'm picking up my new (used) car this weekend so depending on the interior situation i might have to send that PM. Most of m y products/experience is with detailing paint/exterior. The seats/trim is a little dirty so i will give it a crack myself first.

[LOWBA6]

I use the do it yourself bays here in town usually only use the soap from the gun on the pain. I avoid the brush on paint work and only use it on my wheels to get the brake dust off. However i do give the car a wash at home by hand sometimes.

[SLO AU XR8]

If I can't be bothered doing it myself, I go to Calamvale (Xtreme) in the new shopping centre next to the Calamvale Hotel - Great work is done, and you will not leave unhappy

[XR8 Uterous]

Originally Posted by fpv84d

I wash my car by hand and polish by hand as req'd to avoid scratching and swirl marks left by a buff.

Claybars and quality washes, polishes and waxes are your friends. Time well spent with your toy IMO.

You do realise swirl marks and scratches are inflicted from incorrect washing methods don't you more so then from a buff? Inexperienced buffer users might leave 'trails' and/or 'holograms', but someone who knows what they are doing, using the right products will REMOVE scratches and swirls using a buffer...

Agree 110% with your second point though! :

[Scott]

I use the Hand Wash Cafe on Abbotsford Rd in Bowen Hills - I rate the place very highly as far as a carwash goes and am there very regularly. I don't let the vac the car though, they drag that hose over the rear bar to do the boot and the side skirts to to inside and they scratch the car every time.

So for me, they're great but I do the vac either before I go or when I get home.

Highly reccomend this place as a better carwash than most.

[BIGJB]

I must ad here as the owner of a car grooming service that
some of us know what we are doing and train our staff accordingly.
Damage to paint work is not something that happens with us and
this is the case with a lot of other professional car groomers.
There is one in Fairfield behind the 7 11 that is very good.
In fact any of you that saw my car at GQAFD last year that shine
was due to them.

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by Peuty

Yeah there is no quality control either - if they miss a spot, then too bad. Personally I wouldn't use them again.

I use the same place at Toowong for the Territory and F6 and have found them to be one of the better ones around.

If your worried about quality control, just do a quick walk around the car before setting off. When I've pointed out a few spots I've been not quite happy with, the guys in charge have no problem at all in ensuring it's done right.

Not to mention they also make a mean coffee and I'm addicted to the Melting Moments.

[CHARGED TERRA]

Originally Posted by Grunter

Melting Moments.

: : : :sm_drool: :sm_drool: :sm_drool: : : :

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by Grunter

Not to mention they also make a mean coffee and I'm addicted to the Melting Moments.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm

I have only used them the once anyway, when I needed the car to be clean but didn't have the time to do it myself. This was a few years ago now.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Peuty

Seeing as the OP is from Brisbane and Brisbane DOES have water restrictions, your post is null and void.



Yeah there are some nice cars at the Toowong one too, but nine times out of ten the owners of said cars are too busy playing gold and running away with their secretaries to bother hand washing the car themselves. Most Audi owners I know have an Audi as a fashion statement, rather than having an actual love for cars and keeping them immculate.

If that makes sense.

So true, but my next choice if i could afford it would be an Audi.

[ZA-289]

I use the self serve ones, late at night or early in the morning when there's no attendant so I can take my own bucket, sponge and car wash, then I HP rinse, hand wash, HP wax, HP rinse then chamois.

Best way IMHO.

[Melz]

I've used a laser wash... did a great job of cleaning my mudflaps, tyres and towbar... crappy job of everything else!
I guess if you keep the road grime from building up over 4 weeks, the laser wash might be worth it.