ymg91150

I found three possibilities so far to wash my anniversary model – none of which seem to please its paint. The problem: I live in the middle of a city in an apartment building. All expensive cars in the neighborhood park outdoor (F-Type) or in these – sorry, don't know what they are called in english – shared subterranean garages where you can only rent or buy an area (FF, 612, eg.). My cars should be more than happy to reside in tiny, private garages in our house. But they can't get washed on the premises. If there is a risk that oil can get into the groundwater, it is illegal to wash the car around here. I respect that.

So far I went to a car wash, which is near and considered the most modern in Europe. This was just fine until i became a 911 owner. The paint has gotten more and more swirls, which is not easy for me to accept. So I go whenever possible in a wash bay, where I can wash the car with a pressure washer. It takes me 20 minutes to get there and buckets and washmitts are totally verboten, (as you only pay while using the pressure washer). That means, it takes an hour and the car is not well prepared to clay it.

Having it hand washed regularly by a professional is not feasible for me, too expensive, too complicated, not available when I have time and the car needs a treat.

Does anyone of you has an idea how I can wash my car appropriate? Do the city slickers among you face the same difficulties? Where do they wash their cars?

petee1997

In my area many of the indoor parking lots have a hand wash car wash. Many people leave their keys with the attendant when the go to work.

TrackFan

Don't be a city slicker.

008

That sucks. I live in the 4th largest city in the US and I wash mine in my driveway.

aml161

When I lived in a downtown condo situation, this was convenient: http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

It takes 15 minutes to wash the car with a bucket, a container of water, a mitt and a towel. It's not ideal but it gives you better results than a high powered sprayer.

chuck911

Three ideas:

1. So tape (or whatever) the pressure washer to keep it running while you hand wash.

2. Use Griot's Spray On Car Wash. http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...h+35+ounces.do This is kind of a backup thing I've done on road trips where you're stuck with limited options. With the right technique you can get surprisingly good results- almost as good as a real wash. The trick is to use very soft towels, folded to eliminate pressure points, and take an incremental approach. First pass should be very light, extremely light, almost no pressure, going in straight parallel lines one direction only with one hand pulling the leading edge while the other holds the towel gently against the paint. Slowly raise the leading edge as you go along so that you are always lifting the dirty leading edge away from the paint. Fold to a clean section of towel after each pass. When you've partially cleaned one area (roof, door, hood) this way it will be safe to hit it again with the same thing only now that most of the dirt is gone you'll be able to safely use a little more pressure.

Being Switzerland you'll probably want to put a painters drop cloth down first so they don't write you a ticket for drips.

3. Ask Suzy.

kosmo

2 buckets technique or drive out side the city center.

ipse dixit

This may or may not help your situation, but might I suggest you look into synthetic coatings for your car, such CQuartz or Opti-Coat?

I have Opti-Coat on my car, and I can go as long as a couple of months without washing the car without obvious visual signs of dirty or exterior grime (granted, I park indoors and do not live in an area with very much inclement weather)

Short of that, maybe you can just learn to enjoy a somewhat "lived-in" car exterior?

Monetthecat

Living in the city of Chicago its an issue. However, I've found that many of the parking garages in the city are happy to let you use their water hose for $20 tip. BYOB (bring your own bucket)

Grunty

Can you drive to the suburbs instead? Excuse to road trip.

pvr

That rule makes no sense as if your car leaks oil, it gets in the ground water. If it rains, it runs in the ground water. So what is the difference with washing it?

I am afraid the love for the car goes above the love for the law ...

To answer the question, I would drive to a location where you can use a hose and wash it there. i use the one in Bulle when I am there.

brianja

This. I live in an apartment in NYC and don't have hose access in my garage for washes.

I've used ONR on my last two cars for nearly 7 years total and I really like the product.

Is it better than a traditional hose and two-bucket method wash if you can do one? Absolutely not, but it is a viable alternative that will let you have a clean car in great shape.

ONR scares a lot of people because it seems very harsh to the paint. If done correctly / carefully it can be totally fine. Any minor marring that it leaves can be fixed back to perfect with a polish / detail once or twice a year.

66mustang

+1 I used to used this when i live in the city

ymg91150

Thanks for all the helpful comments. Much appreciated!

Great idea! Will try to find one tomorrow!

And a good reason to visit friends! But I would still have to find a decent place with a hose where I don't risk to get a fine.
Uh, that is scary, but if the above fail, I'll try.

Hard to accept, but if everything else fails, this is going to be the way. As much as I dig a flawless paint, I prefer my apartment and its location!

Just wondering, is she still around? Have not read a post from her for quite some time!

Cheers!

phil996cab99

Every city I've lived (USA), buckets and washmitts are verboten also, though probably not as verboten as SUI. I do it anyway. Took a few tries to get over the verboten, but now couldn't care less what they think of me. In fact, if the owner/manager has a problem, let him/her come to my face and we'll discuss. As for other customers, they should mind their own business.

Incidentally, I flew into Zurich once, and almost every car I saw was dark Mercedes. I wonder where they all get washed?