[Dackz]

Unfortunately, due to construction near my townhouse, there will be LOTS of dust for a while to come. This means doing my own hand wash at my house doesnt really do me much good since it will be so dusty. So I went to the local self serve today and washed the car and talked to the owner (Ive seen him there many times as I drive by).

I asked him about the detergents in the pre-soak and wash-soap portions, and he said they are alkylid based, where as the automatic wash was acid based. He said there shouldnt be anything in those 2 wash products that would cut the sealant that Im about to put on the car off. He said "the pre soak is designed so that you can put it on, leave it in the sun and then come back a couple hours later and it would come right off." Not really sure what that means but I thought Id add it here.

Anyway, do you guys think I would be okay to use this as it wouldnt 'cut' my sealant? The only 3 steps I would do are pre-soak, wash-soap (pressure) and rinse. Then dry the car afterwards and usually hit it with optimum QD. The sealant of choice is the BlackFire Wet Diamond and usually I top that with a coat of BFWD Spray on wax once a month a too.

[Bobble]

What I do for the busy weekends when I know I wont get time to wash I go to the coin ops but I bring my own stuff and a bucket. I rinse it down really good with the de-ionized rinse, fill my bucket using the same water and my soap and wash by hand then rinse again and dry using my ww towels. I QD and such right there as well. Costs 4 bucks to do it that way, I know the chemicals and such used and have had no issues. I do at lunch or on the way home. If you're boosting the sealant/wax with a spray wax once a month I highly doubt you'll strip anything other than that as that will always be laying on top of your true paint protection. Not trying to judge the owner at your wash but the one I use I've talked to also and doubt they know anything except what their vendors tell them. I asked them straight out if they mind me bucket washing there and they had no concerns period.

[Dackz]

Thanks for the info guys! I appreciate it. Ill probably just sneak a bucket with me and try and hand wash it down there and just go when its slower in the evening or early in the morning. There are plenty of washes in the area but this one is closest/nicest by far.

[raceyBMW]

If you talked to the owner, you should have asked him if it were ok to bring your own bucket there, and if so what are the best times to do that so that you don't take up a stall during the busy times. I do this since I live in a condo and don't have access to a hose. Usually late Sunday at the DIY wash bays is the least crowded.

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

In regards to the removal of sealer/wax, all car wash soaps/detergents will remove the sealant/wax over time. There is no way to know how many washes is required for removal as it varies by sealant/wax and car was soap/detergent. About all that you can do is carefully wash the car regularly and then apply more sealant/wax as you see the water beading changing. QD is nice but it doesn't offer any lasting protection in my experience.

Absolutely but properly formulated washes at the right dilution do not strip very fast. Since he said he uses BFWD spray sealant, which is a polycharged product, every month I'll bet he's pretty safe in not getting down to the base finish. Heck theres pro's on another site that did a test using the two most popular spray waxes on a test panel with nothing else but the spray wax and the beading lasted about 4 to 5 weeks outside on a test panel in the elements. I would though ask the owner of the coin op if he would be ok with bucket washing and what times. Better to ask than assume.

[MuttGrunt]

While I made this video to focus on using this during the Winter, the same principles apply to any washing at a DIY bay.

[Dackz]

Originally Posted by raceyBMW

If you talked to the owner, you should have asked him if it were ok to bring your own bucket there, and if so what are the best times to do that so that you don't take up a stall during the busy times. I do this since I live in a condo and don't have access to a hose. Usually late Sunday at the DIY wash bays is the least crowded.

Yea, I didnt even think about it the other day, but its only a few blocks from my place and Ive seen them out there quite a bit (Ive done a few quick washes to get it somewhat clean after snow) so Ill be able to ask them again I am sure.

[Dackz]

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt

While I made this video to focus on using this during the Winter, the same principles apply to any washing at a DIY bay.

They way you strapped in the buckets reminded me of my college days when we used to do that with kegs

Good video, thanks for sharing.

[mcmcallister]

i feel bad now, i just run through the touchless automatic from nov till march....to cold for me to get wet