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      05-23-2015, 10:18 AM   #1
$iriu$black
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How do you detail/wash car when you live in an apartment complex?

As the title says, I want to know what you guys do in this situation? I've always gone to auto car washes, wash my car by hand there (in the coin op bays or touchless) and then dry it when I get to the apartment parking lot. It's tough though as it's always dusty and clay barring is almost a struggle as it's never in an enclosed space. Waxing, doable but feels like it's twice the work due to dust always getting in the way.

I maybe just complaining but hey, this car is my second baby, she gets pampered a lot.

Any input would be appreciated!
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      05-23-2015, 12:31 PM   #2
Ultimateone
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I actually went to Home Depot and got a hand powered pump sprayer. I wet the car, then I wash it with a mit and then spray it clean with the pump sprayer. It's already saved me ton of money vs spending like 10-14 dollars thru a car wash.
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      05-23-2015, 12:48 PM   #3
mahlerbeatdown
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I just got a rechargeable, batter operated sprayer. Has similar pressure to a garden hose and has a 3+ gallon capacity. Purchased it so I can wash down w/ distilled water. Jet Black sucks!;

But i probably won't even have to dry anymore and won't get hard water spots. A company called "ivation" makes it and can be found on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Ivation-Multip.../dp/B00R0GBKR4
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      05-23-2015, 03:07 PM   #4
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Thumbs up Optimum No Rinse...

You should really try ONR stuff. You mix it with some water... use a second bucket to rise out the crap/dirt(or just grab a new MF towel!)... so you don't smear all the dirt around on your car. This stuff runs off your car... and you really don't need to dry it. It works great in the cold winter months.

I hated it when I lived in a condo. Best thing is to move ASAP, but I know that's not so easy. Maybe also hit up a buddy where you can use their place to wash your car.

Optimum No Rinse & Wash & Shine
http://www.detailersdomain.com/Optim...REE_p_495.html



PS: If you order something from Phil at Detailer's Domain before the 26th... just put in MEM15 code for extra savings. He's a great guy to order car products from.
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      05-29-2015, 09:31 AM   #5
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We have a car wash bay in our condo.
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      05-29-2015, 03:38 PM   #6
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If you have access to Chemical Guys, they have a waterless wash and its worked pretty awesome, I don't live in a condo but I still use that every once in a while, check out their stuff
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      05-31-2015, 08:48 PM   #7
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I go to a coin op car wash and only use the pressure washer on the rinse setting. I bring my own wash bucket, mitt, soaps, etc....

I spend hours there detailing some weeks.
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      05-31-2015, 08:54 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbl117 View Post
I go to a coin op car wash and only use the pressure washer on the rinse setting. I bring my own wash bucket, mitt, soaps, etc....

I spend hours there detailing some weeks.
This is exactly what I do, less the "bringing my own bucket" part. I wanted to dothis badly but just did not have the courage I guess as I might be kicked out of the wash.

So do you bring your own bucket WITH WATER? I have my own detailing stuff just not the bucket part.
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      06-01-2015, 11:09 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by $iriu$black View Post
This is exactly what I do, less the "bringing my own bucket" part. I wanted to dothis badly but just did not have the courage I guess as I might be kicked out of the wash.

So do you bring your own bucket WITH WATER? I have my own detailing stuff just not the bucket part.
I bring everything I need except the water. I use the coin op ONLY for water. I've never had a problem from anyone. Its your car, your money, your time. Screw what anyone else thinks. Just don't dry/detail your car in the wash bay. Pull it out and find a space to do that.
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      06-01-2015, 11:45 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
You should really try ONR stuff. You mix it with some water... use a second bucket to rise out the crap/dirt(or just grab a new MF towel!)... so you don't smear all the dirt around on your car. This stuff runs off your car... and you really don't need to dry it. It works great in the cold winter months.

I hated it when I lived in a condo. Best thing is to move ASAP, but I know that's not so easy. Maybe also hit up a buddy where you can use their place to wash your car.

Optimum No Rinse & Wash & Shine
http://www.detailersdomain.com/Optim...REE_p_495.html



PS: If you order something from Phil at Detailer's Domain before the 26th... just put in MEM15 code for extra savings. He's a great guy to order car products from.
I bought this a while ago, just have been weary of using it. My brother brought it to a show we went to a few weeks ago and we both used it after we parked since we drove from about an hour or two away. It actually works really well for being a 'waterless' wash. Since I'll be living in an apartment for a bit, I'll be using this unless I can find a hose in my apartment's parking lot.
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      06-01-2015, 12:37 PM   #11
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I have a self wash bay near mine. I haven't figured out how to clean in my complex's parking lot yet
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      06-05-2015, 04:42 PM   #12
mahlerbeatdown
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Using a powered pressure washer (not to be confused with a power washer.... Check my previous post) along with 3+ gallons of distilled water (like $0.78 a gallon at Walmart) I was able to get a true spotless wash with no drying on Jet Black!
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      06-05-2015, 04:43 PM   #13
mahlerbeatdown
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Meant to add a closeup... Ooops!


Some reason the mobile app is attaching duplicates... Eh
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      06-09-2015, 08:07 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mahlerbeatdown View Post
Using a powered pressure washer (not to be confused with a power washer.... Check my previous post) along with 3+ gallons of distilled water (like $0.78 a gallon at Walmart) I was able to get a true spotless wash with no drying on Jet Black!
Can you please explain the difference between the two terms? I'm new to this and don't really understand the difference.
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      06-09-2015, 08:10 PM   #15
mahlerbeatdown
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dtla1
Quote:
Originally Posted by mahlerbeatdown View Post
Using a powered pressure washer (not to be confused with a power washer.... Check my previous post) along with 3+ gallons of distilled water (like $0.78 a gallon at Walmart) I was able to get a true spotless wash with no drying on Jet Black!
Can you please explain the difference between the two terms? I'm new to this and don't really understand the difference.
Pressure washer is just a tank that has a pump that provides pressure similar to your water hose/spigot whereas a power washer usually hooks straight into your spigot and has much more pressure/psi....

My pressure washer is ideal of rinsing the car w/ distilled water versus the hard water from a spigot. If you have or had a Jet Black car, hand drying was a must or you'd have hard water spots
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      06-10-2015, 03:40 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mahlerbeatdown View Post
Using a powered pressure washer (not to be confused with a power washer.... Check my previous post) along with 3+ gallons of distilled water (like $0.78 a gallon at Walmart) I was able to get a true spotless wash with no drying on Jet Black!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mahlerbeatdown View Post
Meant to add a closeup... Ooops!


Some reason the mobile app is attaching duplicates... Eh
Looks very nice!
Like the wheels as well.
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