Auto Detailing Solutions

[Crankin]

When I try to wash or clean my car (I've been a little more motivated to regularly do this, since I bought my new black car), it just ends up being more dirty or streaky than it started out.
That's why I buy the discount coupons for the Acton carwash, where I happily take my ride through the sprayers and washers. As for the inside, we have all the "special" products at home, and I will use those on the interior, but when it's really dirty, like after a winter trip up north, I let DH do it, or I take it to the detail operation that's part of the car wash. This is one chore I don't have patience for.

[7rider]

You're supposed to wash a car??

I thought that was what rain was for?

[Catrin]

You're supposed to wash a car??

I thought that was what rain was for?

I USED to wash my car quite often...until I got the hitch mounted bike rack that can't go through an automatic wash. I won't say how often it's been washed since then - but I think it gets a bath tonight. It is so dry around there that a little rain dance is called for...

[Reesha]

My brother is really into detailing his own, but before I came to Missouri I hadn't seen the full service car washes we have.

For $45 bucks last week they transformed my super dirty corolla... even got the chain grease off the back seats and spilled laundry detergents. (General Grant's car wash). Great place! It was like having a new car!

[Crankin]

Reesha, for some reason, there aren't a lot of full service car washes in New England, but at least now, there are the "automatic" kind for the outside of the car and a few full service ones. When I moved here, I was used to getting the full service kind, inside and out in AZ, for like 6.00 (dating myself here).

Catrin, I was banned from my car wash in 2008 because my Saris Thelma broke it! Hence, I stopped using the rack, took it off the hitch and shoved my bike in the back of my car. It fit, but it was tight. I was forever ruining the bar tape and losing the end caps.
This is why I bought a station wagon.

[Reesha]

My next car will definitely have space for bikes inside... especially after I forgot my bike was on top and then drove into a mall parking garage (read: bike fine, thule tray not so much)

[Giulianna23]

I am into detailing my cars myself.....sometimes I go to a quick automatic wash when I am very very tired and in winter time (the ones with no brushes)...but most of the time I do it myself. I love to keep my cars clean and shiny...

[Tri Girl]

I just hand-washed and waxed my car for the first time in 9 years. I always just run it through the auto-wash a couple times a year.
I'll admit I'm not that great at taking care of the exterior of my cars.... although we do have an 18 year old pickup and an 11 year old Camry- we DO like to keep the insides working and get the maximum years out of them.

[kajero]

I USED to wash my car quite often...until I got the hitch mounted bike rack that can't go through an automatic wash.

I have the same issue. When I tell my SO I want to buy a new car that the bikes will fit inside, he hand washes the car for me. He says washing it is way cheaper!