Car Wash Help: No Access to a Hose

[Boomstick1491]

My wife and I live in a beautiful condo building downtown, but we do not have access to a hose. I own a condo 15 miles away that has a hose, but I do not want to drive that far just to wash the car every week. I know I can use the self-serve (high pressure) wash on the military base nearby, but my experience with those has been less-than awesome in the past. Any ideas where I can get access to a hose in the DC area? Anyone ever heard of someone "renting" a hose to a poor slob like myself who does not have a hose in his/her building? Thanks.

[pseto]

Nothing wrong with using the high pressure hose, just don't do it all the time. Keep your distance too, I wouldn't spray too close.

On occassion I use them, but also bring microfiber towels to wash instead of using the brush.

[Boomstick1491]

I think a high-pressure wash place is fine for quick washes. To be as thorough as I would want, I would like to have a bucket that I could fill with soap and water and then hand wash, using the high-pressure hose only to fill the bucket and rinse the car off. I think that would fine, but it would be an expensive proposition, considering the machines are not cheap.

Bottom line, I just need a place where I can fill a bucket, rinse the car, and get some shade while doing it.

Sorry this thread seems awfully dumb, but it surely has to be a problem shared by many owners who reside in buildings without access to a hose.

[pseto]

big downside to living in the city. how expensive are the machines where you are? if that's your only alternative, start saving quarters lol

[Boomstick1491]

Originally Posted by pseto

big downside to living in the city. how expensive are the machines where you are? if that's your only alternative, start saving quarters lol

That's a good question. The high-pressure machines are very rare in the area writ large, but I recently saw one while driving through Ft. Myer. I suspect the price is far more reasonable over there, since most things on military installations are cheaper. I will need to check it out and report back.

I might be WAAAAAY off, but I seem to recall the high-pressure washers up by my condo were $4-6 per session. I guess that wouldn't be so bad. If only I could find a damn hose near the facility, I could fill my wash bucket, do my thing, and then spend the $$$ to spray it off.

[pseto]

BTW, this board doesn't get as much activity as e90post mid-atlantic. you're welcomed to come over there and get more answers.

just not many 1ers around to have an active board

[psalm40]

Look into a "waterless" or at least a "rinse-less" product like Optimum No-Rinse or the Chemical Guys version. Check out DetailedImage.com and search under the ask-a-professional section or the Chemical Guys website.

[Boomstick1491]

Originally Posted by psalm40

Look into a "waterless" or at least a "rinse-less" product like Optimum No-Rinse or the Chemical Guys version. Check out DetailedImage.com and search under the ask-a-professional section or the Chemical Guys website.

Oddly enough, I stumbled upon DI last night while searching the E90 detailing forum. Until then, I had always used Autogeek for detailing supplies. Anyway, I had never heard of waterless washes before. I think I am going to buy some. Do you have any experience with either of the products you mentioned? Do they leave a film or harm the paint in any way? Are they safe for cleaning wheels? Thanks for the info.

[pseto]

ONR is good stuff!! I use in the winter when its too cold to drag out the hose

[Boomstick1491]

Originally Posted by pseto

ONR is good stuff!! I use in the winter when its too cold to drag out the hose

BOOM! How did I not know about this before?

[pseto]

Originally Posted by Boomstick1491

BOOM! How did I not know about this before?

get with the times dude! its sold on autogeek, amazon, etc

good stuff, just make sure you follow the instructions

[Boomstick1491]

As a follow-up, I ran over to the other side of the river to check out the car wash bay at Ft. Myer. I couldn't resist making use of it. For everyone's reference, it's $1.50 for 5 mins on the hose/brush and $0.75 for 5 mins on the vacuum. I think that is the best rate I have ever seen. I know where I will be going from now on...