QUESTION OF THE DAY: When Was The Last Time You Hand Washed Your Car?

QUESTION OF THE DAY: When Was The Last Time You Hand Washed Your Car?

Finally, last weekend we had the good fortune of finally getting some 70 degree weather. Prime time to do some spring cleaning  for the cars in the garage and get ready for the local Cars and Coffee and club meets to really ramp up again in the next month or so. This winter has been the 7th coldest on record for the DFW area and we are so ready to move on to warmer conditions.

Simply running down to the drive through car wash doesn’t do it for me.  I tend to be more of a traditionalist, using the two bucket method to cleaning followed by a light rinse to remove the remaining biodegradable soap residue. Of course all of this is followed by drying and waxing with a quality liquid wax. (2 coats for me) So in about an hour and a half we are all done with the MINI and ready for the next car.

That last sentence makes me wonder.  An hour and a half?   Just how many people spend that much time washing and detailing their car these days? I know I am a bit obsessive, but there is something therapeutic for me in going over all of the details and making sure the car looks as good as new.  But who still shares that thought, and who has the time?

You might think it is uncommon for an owner of a Lamborghini to bring an unclean car to Cars and Coffee to display to the adoring fans.  But it happens every month down here.  Exotic row at C&C, which typically has 20 to 30 Lamborghinis, McLarens, Ferraris, and the occasional Maserati or two will have half of them in need of a serious detail. On the other hand the CTS Club a few rows over is a showcase of meticulous detailing and pride in ownership.  Old school vs young blood?

Why do these two groups differ?

Are drive through car washes the norm these days for you?

Do you drop quarters in the local spray wash, and rinse and drive off in 15 minutes?

So, when was the last time you actually hand washed your car?

Better yet, when was the last time you waxed a car?

I’m just a bit curious who does what these days, and what type of cars still command the caring touch of a hand wash.

 

 



Car4LifeCar4Life - 2/18/2014 1:45:21 PM
+1 Boost
I miss hand washing or at least the pressure washer with quarters, ever since moving to The Big Apple, they are all automatic unless I make the trek out of the city


Agent009Agent009 - 2/18/2014 2:47:49 PM
+1 Boost
I do understand some cities and HOA do restrict the ability to wash your own car.


Agent009Agent009 - 2/18/2014 2:48:11 PM
+2 Boost
The mark of a true enthusiast


nismoZnismoZ - 2/19/2014 12:47:46 PM
+1 Boost
This is absolutely absurd! In the Northeast where winter can last 4-5 mos. you'd just let salt sit on your vehicle for a third of the year because it's too cold to hand wash??!


PatronusPatronus - 2/18/2014 3:01:21 PM
+1 Boost
I have never used a car wash. I have owned cars since 1973; some nice, some crappy. All hand washed by me.


vdivvdiv - 2/18/2014 3:57:12 PM
+2 Boost
Touchless automated car wash for me. With all of the salt and cold weather that is really the only reasonable choice. Usually do it once a week. If it is a warm day I'll hand dry it and do the interior.


trmckintrmckin - 2/18/2014 4:09:49 PM
+1 Boost
Man I hope my wife never sees an hour and a half. She hates the spring/summer/fall because I spend at least 3 hours a weekend detailing our vehicles. Usually alternate between hers and mine every week. In the winter time, Colorado weather dictates the need to use the automatic to help knock the mag chloride off on a regular basis. Some people think I'm nuts but its very satisfying when someone comments on the finish and are shocked to know my 2007 expedition looks like it rolled off the showroom floor. Actually had it in for service a few weeks ago and the service manager wanted to buy it. Now if I could keep my wife from scraping every corner on her 4runner, we'd be in good shape.


HoustonMidtownHoustonMidtown - 2/18/2014 4:23:30 PM
+2 Boost
Last weekend.....


leejleej - 2/18/2014 5:48:44 PM
+2 Boost
I have always hand washed my cars. I never use a car wash...ever. Fortunately I live in the southeast, so I do not have to worry about the kind of weather those in the mid-west or the rustbelt have to deal with. I grew up in the rust belt and remember my Dad would buy a brand new car and by the 2nd winter there would be rust holes in it already.


atc98092atc98092 - 2/18/2014 7:15:24 PM
+1 Boost
I have a touchless wash very close, so I use it often when the weather's ok. I haven't used a car wash with brushes for years. I will still hand wash several times a year, since the touchless isn't perfect.


ATrainATrain - 2/18/2014 8:59:07 PM
+1 Boost
I guess I fall in your category… anally retentive?

I live in the Boston area so washing the car every week, by hand, with twice a year cutting compound + polishing compound + wax and shine… required a bit of an investment.

Just to keep the hand washing alive, I built an 8 car garage with central hearing, air exchange w/ the outside every hour (fumes and humidity management) and running water with plenty of drain capacity. Et voila! The habit is alive…

BTW, no one has that time. We make the time… It's all about having priorities straight. :)

Cheers


ATrainATrain - 2/18/2014 9:02:38 PM
+1 Boost
Central heating… though perhaps my wife has installed central hearing to figure out what I'm doing all this time in the 'man cave' as she calls it. (It has wainscoting, bead board, boxed beams, stereo equipment and plenty of car photography! The good life...)


nismoZnismoZ - 2/19/2014 12:51:42 PM
+1 Boost
In general, a heated garage can be bad on a vehicle in the winter:

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/12/why-an-800-000-heated-garage-may-be-hazardous-to-your-cars-health/249446/

Although your's swaps out humidity to mostly avoid this.


jeffgalljeffgall - 2/18/2014 9:32:54 PM
+1 Boost
Exclusively hand washed cars since my first in 1997.

Haven't done one since about November, given it gets a bit cold in the northeast to have a hand in an ice cold bucket.


iamdabest1iamdabest1 - 2/19/2014 12:57:16 AM
+1 Boost
the wheels on my competition package m3 are too wide for the machine wash track so i go about every 2 weeks to a hand wash.. with all the ny snow though, its been parked for last 3 weeks


nismoZnismoZ - 2/19/2014 12:53:40 PM
+1 Boost
Most car washes switched from bristle brushes to soft materials anyways...
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