CowTownWoody

I'd like to know how any Calgarians deal with the bylaw against soaps into the storm sewer. I used to enjoy spending some time out in the country washing and detailing my truck by hand, maybe a wax. Is there any business in Calgary that is set up for this? Maybe they would provide you with some brushes/soap, maybe you bring your own and all they really do is provide a drain that goes to treatment. Does anybody know of anything like that?

Failing that, what do you think of just a pressure washer and soft brush, no soap? I'm worried it would gradually scuff the finish, but maybe that happens with soap too. Maybe I just keep it waxed to avoid that. Ideas? Opinions? Less than a week to go!

khtm

I just use the coin-operated self-serve car washes...I'd also like to hear about other options, though. It's tough doing car maintenance when you live in an apartment

buddman

We wash our car in the driveway with "bio degradeable soap" for antique cars, available through amway.

Fritz the Cat

I wash mine at Crowfoot Shell. They charge by the minute, so I can take as long as I like. I don't use their brush, though, as it's too hard on the paint. I have my own sponges and washing gloves.

I'm there about 20 minutes, and that costs me about $10.00 or so. I don't wax it there, though.

Parker8

Hey guys what do you use to get the bugs off? I don't want to use something too abrasive. Ideas?

Thx.

Ditto to Crowfoot Shell best car wash in the city. I drive there even though I live in Oakridge.

Fritz the Cat

I drive there from Garrison Woods.

For bugs, I use my car washing glove (bought at Canadian Tire). It works like a charm.

CowTownWoody

FYI, this is against the bylaw. The City of Calgary web site even has a FAQ that asks about biodegradable soap. I called the city to see if there is ANY product they have approved for the storm sewers. They said basically "If somebody calls bylaw, and they come and see you using ANYTHING other than water, you will get fined".

BlueFrenzy

Woody, I take the risk and just use the soap. I'm sure the cops have better things to do rather than cruise the suburbs for soap in the storm sewers. I guess my neighbors aren't JERKY enough to call bylaw.

If I had to wash my car away from my home, I would do the coin-op self serve like KHTM suggested. I'm looking in the yellow pages right now and there's a good 3 columns worth of car wash places.

scoop

I haven't used soap on any of my cars in more than ten years, there is no need to and it strips the wax off . . . Keep the car and wheels well waxed, wash it by hand regularly and nothing will stick to it. Just rinse, wipe with a wet terrycloth towel, rinse again and take the chamois to it. You will also go a lot longer between washes if you use a California Car Duster to keep the dust off, otherwise when the car gets wet you are left with a big mess. It was a DriWash fanatic that got me started on the no soap business, I have recently been using NXT, not quite as flexible but it lasts a bit longer . . .

Gord96BRG

Not quite - dish soap certainly does strip wax off, but car wash soap is specifically designed not to remove waxes.

I also use the Crowfoot car wash all year round. I bring my own wash mitt, and have been known to bring my own bucket and soap!

Regards,
Gordon

rotten42

I like the Crowfoot Big Bucket car wash. I can ususally wash the car for under $4.00 and if it is slow in the bays they let me dry the car off no charge inside....very handy in the winter. They also have a wash card that you can buy that is a good deal if you wash your car often...which I do.

khtm

^ yeah right, rotten...your VR is slower and dirtier than sin!! :p

CowTownWoody

I just went to the bigbucket website www.bigbucketcarwash.com and it looks like exactly what I am looking for. Do they charge by the time, or do you just pay for the coin-op on the machines?

rotten42

they charge by time...you can get a wash card that gives you deals....eg $25=$30 worth $50 = $75 worth


I find when it is busy I can get in there much quicker than the Shell car wash at Crowfoot.