whos afraid of a ...car wash?

Benjie182 · 08-12-2008, 10:40 PM

it doesnt happen often, but today, i got my oil changed at a local dealership and i was actually sad to see my car get washed (complimentary car wash with service).

this past weekend, i took my foz up to the high desert and found a great little patch of dirt and gravel to mess around in. donuts, drifts, etc. i have a NA 4eat, so it wasnt AS much fun as a MT, but i just put the puppy into 2nd gear and had a bit of fun. what a hoot.

afterwards, my subie was covered in dust and dirt...and it looked great.

how long have you guys gone without washing your forester simply because it looked better covered in mud/dirt? i imagine you cant leave it on for too long, as all that muck cant be good for the undercarriage and all the exposed parts, so i knew that a good car washing is good once in a while...

ive heard about those little sprays that people would apply onto their SUV's to make it look like they were off roading.

its way more fun doing the real thing...

HodgesSubaru · 08-13-2008, 05:55 AM

The Forester and gets washed every Saturday and is garaged during the week.

My Outback I bought last October and I am pretty sure that I have never washed it

Rice & Gravy · 08-13-2008, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjie182

ive heard about those little sprays that people would apply onto their SUV's to make it look like they were off roading

What the?!!!!!!!!!

HodgesSubaru · 08-13-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rice & Gravy

What the?!!!!!!!!!

Mud in a spray bottle, it's genius! I should have thought of that, I'd be a millionaire (or broke

)

sea-scooby · 08-13-2008, 07:27 AM

When I bought my first Forester in 97, it had 16 miles on it when I washed it the first time on day 2 or owning it. I found a door ding and I was so mad I didn't wash the car again for over 2 years.

My XT gets washed atleast once a week and is always parked in the garage. My wife's X gets washed every other week.

Peaty · 08-13-2008, 08:37 AM

I would never go to an automated car wash but I do wash my cars on a regular basis. Usually by hand or sometimes I go to the place with the wand to get the major bugs off.

Spray-On Mud Makes a Splash

Rice & Gravy · 08-13-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaty

I would never go to an automated car wash but I do wash my cars on a regular basis. Usually by hand or sometimes I go to the place with the wand to get the major bugs off.

Spray-On Mud Makes a Splash

Wow, what'll they think of next.

My last car was black as is this one and I have sort of gotten in the habit of running them through the brushless car wash or self spray car wash about once a week. Then I'll hand wash maybe every 3 weeks, but I am on a well so keeping the water spots to a minimum is a chore with the hand washing.

2.5x_sleeper · 08-13-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rice & Gravy

My last car was black as is this one and I have sort of gotten in the habit of running them through the brushless car wash or self spray car wash about once a week. Then I'll hand wash maybe every 3 weeks, but I am on a well so keeping the water spots to a minimum is a chore with the hand washing.

Try this In-Line Water Softener With Fittings - Cleaning Tools - Car Washing - Car Care - Griot's Garage I don't have this one, but I do have an inline water filter that I use when washing our cars.

Bobby...

funkymonkey1002 · 08-13-2008, 09:03 AM

Haven't given the car a true wash and wax since last year. I wash the underside however during the winter to try to stop rust, however the rust really got it this year unfortunately. I always wash mud off however as it is VERY bad for just about everything under the car, especially in certain areas of the country (high salt/ acidity etc).

YoGeorge · 08-13-2008, 09:18 AM

I was thinking of a service or product to apply to city-slicker SUV's, things like Jeeps and Hummers, that would make them really wow the folks at the mall or in the high school parking lots. Applied with an ORV registration sticker, it's the epitome of "wearing" a tough vehicle. Kind of like wearing your big-buck hiking boots or rock climbing clothes to school.

As for my vehicles, when my van (and probably this will be the case with my Forester) is slightly muddy from a geniune activity in the outdoors, I don't really mind the look and sometimes leave it dirty for a few days....same as if I get my mountain bike a bit muddy, I don't feel any immediate urge to clean it unless the drivetrain is gunked up.

In Michigan winters, though, I'll really make efforts to keep the doggone road salt off every vehicle, for obvious reasons.

I usually try to hand wash cars in my yard, but in the winter, they do get driven through a good local car wash that is relatively brushless....they use those felt strips on most of their wash equipment, and it doesn't trash the paint *that badly.*

George

GMmon · 08-13-2008, 09:05 PM

I ALWAYS hand washed my cars up until about a year ago.I got back into motorcycles & don't mind rubbing on it(mostly wet towel/dry towel cleanings).But,doing the cars at age 53 ain't got appeal it used to.Luckily,I've found a 'no-touch' car wash that does a good job & is only $7.50 + $5 for 'wheels/tires'(they DO touch on the wipe dry).Whatever they use leaves a slick/just-waxed feel to the paint.Only downer is the wheel guide at most washes scuffs the wheel & over time,can beat up some wheels noticably.

Oddnoggins · 08-14-2008, 12:19 AM

My favorite is the look on the teenie bopper girls faces as I drive by them bouncing up and down with the big 'CAR WASH' sign. I'm reminded of that commercial...

YouTube - Cheerleaders Vs. Nuns

Not that I use Eagle One, but it is a great commercial.

sirwilliam · 08-14-2008, 03:54 AM

Q: Whos afraid of a ...car wash?

A: My 3yr old son...that is who.

He is scared by the loud noises.

Depending on conditions and how far I drive, I usually wash my forester 2 times a week

I have the cleanest undercarriage

dirteemac · 08-14-2008, 06:17 AM

I picked up some of this stuff a few weeks ago but haven't used it yet, waiting untill it gets a little cooler outside:

it allows you to wash your car with out rinsing, you just put some in a bucket with some water and use it with a microfiber or sponge and then wipe off. It saves water and helps makes drying a lot easier. It's supposed to be pretty good, everybody on the detaling forums raves about it and along with this stuff you should be able to wash and wax your car in under an hour:

you can get both at Optimum Car Products

BAC5.2 · 08-14-2008, 06:22 AM

I occasionally wash my wifes VW (it's white so looks dirty often), and while I do that I usually point the hose at my car. That's about it.

I'll do auto washes every once in a while, but with the roof rack and tire, it usually leaves soapy water on the roof so I have to rerinse before it all dries up.

08-12-2008, 10:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Benjie182 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seal Beach Posts: 43 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	whos afraid of a ...car wash? it doesnt happen often, but today, i got my oil changed at a local dealership and i was actually sad to see my car get washed (complimentary car wash with service). this past weekend, i took my foz up to the high desert and found a great little patch of dirt and gravel to mess around in. donuts, drifts, etc. i have a NA 4eat, so it wasnt AS much fun as a MT, but i just put the puppy into 2nd gear and had a bit of fun. what a hoot. afterwards, my subie was covered in dust and dirt...and it looked great. how long have you guys gone without washing your forester simply because it looked better covered in mud/dirt? i imagine you cant leave it on for too long, as all that muck cant be good for the undercarriage and all the exposed parts, so i knew that a good car washing is good once in a while... ive heard about those little sprays that people would apply onto their SUV's to make it look like they were off roading. its way more fun doing the real thing... __________________ '07 Forester X Premium Aspen White

08-13-2008, 05:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
HodgesSubaru Supporting Vendor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ferndale MI Posts: 1,721 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 13 / 100%	The Forester and gets washed every Saturday and is garaged during the week. My Outback I bought last October and I am pretty sure that I have never washed it __________________ 248-547-8800 Paypal! We ship internationally!

08-13-2008, 07:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
sea-scooby The Sub kit guy Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Renton, Wa Posts: 7,686 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 41 / 100%	When I bought my first Forester in 97, it had 16 miles on it when I washed it the first time on day 2 or owning it. I found a door ding and I was so mad I didn't wash the car again for over 2 years. My XT gets washed atleast once a week and is always parked in the garage. My wife's X gets washed every other week. __________________ 05 Forester XTi Premium M/T (PRE tuned VF39)(his) 05 Forester X A/T (hers) My Journal page

08-13-2008, 08:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Peaty The Modfather Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lawrence, Kansas 04 MT F-XT Cobb Stage 2 & 06 B9 Tribeca Posts: 5,774 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 3 / 100%	I would never go to an automated car wash but I do wash my cars on a regular basis. Usually by hand or sometimes I go to the place with the wand to get the major bugs off. Spray-On Mud Makes a Splash __________________ Peaty 04 -XT 06 B9 Tribeca & 99 Miata ScoobyMods peatpics

08-13-2008, 09:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
funkymonkey1002 Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,454 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 3 / 100%	Haven't given the car a true wash and wax since last year. I wash the underside however during the winter to try to stop rust, however the rust really got it this year unfortunately. I always wash mud off however as it is VERY bad for just about everything under the car, especially in certain areas of the country (high salt/ acidity etc). __________________ 04FXT/4EAT Snorkus Free, WRX suspension, rota/falken/racingbrake/hawk

08-13-2008, 09:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
YoGeorge Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI Posts: 410 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	They took my idea! I was thinking of a service or product to apply to city-slicker SUV's, things like Jeeps and Hummers, that would make them really wow the folks at the mall or in the high school parking lots. Applied with an ORV registration sticker, it's the epitome of "wearing" a tough vehicle. Kind of like wearing your big-buck hiking boots or rock climbing clothes to school. As for my vehicles, when my van (and probably this will be the case with my Forester) is slightly muddy from a geniune activity in the outdoors, I don't really mind the look and sometimes leave it dirty for a few days....same as if I get my mountain bike a bit muddy, I don't feel any immediate urge to clean it unless the drivetrain is gunked up. In Michigan winters, though, I'll really make efforts to keep the doggone road salt off every vehicle, for obvious reasons. I usually try to hand wash cars in my yard, but in the winter, they do get driven through a good local car wash that is relatively brushless....they use those felt strips on most of their wash equipment, and it doesn't trash the paint that badly. George

08-13-2008, 09:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
GMmon Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: St. Charles,Mo Posts: 74 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I ALWAYS hand washed my cars up until about a year ago.I got back into motorcycles & don't mind rubbing on it(mostly wet towel/dry towel cleanings).But,doing the cars at age 53 ain't got appeal it used to.Luckily,I've found a 'no-touch' car wash that does a good job & is only $7.50 + $5 for 'wheels/tires'(they DO touch on the wipe dry).Whatever they use leaves a slick/just-waxed feel to the paint.Only downer is the wheel guide at most washes scuffs the wheel & over time,can beat up some wheels noticably.

08-14-2008, 03:54 AM	#13 (permalink)
sirwilliam BLUE WASABI (#2 Info Provider) Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Wild Serengeti Suburbs of NoVa Posts: 8,100 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 15 / 100%	Q: Whos afraid of a ...car wash? A: My 3yr old son...that is who. He is scared by the loud noises. Depending on conditions and how far I drive, I usually wash my forester 2 times a week I have the cleanest undercarriage __________________ BLUE WASABI

08-14-2008, 06:17 AM	#14 (permalink)
dirteemac Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lost Wages, NV Posts: 627 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I picked up some of this stuff a few weeks ago but haven't used it yet, waiting untill it gets a little cooler outside: it allows you to wash your car with out rinsing, you just put some in a bucket with some water and use it with a microfiber or sponge and then wipe off. It saves water and helps makes drying a lot easier. It's supposed to be pretty good, everybody on the detaling forums raves about it and along with this stuff you should be able to wash and wax your car in under an hour: you can get both at Optimum Car Products

08-14-2008, 06:22 AM	#15 (permalink)
BAC5.2 iMod Contributing Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 7,272 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 3 / 100%	I occasionally wash my wifes VW (it's white so looks dirty often), and while I do that I usually point the hose at my car. That's about it. I'll do auto washes every once in a while, but with the roof rack and tire, it usually leaves soapy water on the roof so I have to rerinse before it all dries up. __________________ The Aggressive™ -- You don't know about it. 1998 Forester S - Big brakes, Big Tires, 5-gears.

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