Hi all. New seattle owner here.

I need some guidance - I want to do right by my car's paint job, but I lack the usual requirements like a driveway and a hose. See, I live downtown and park in a parking garage. The garage is tight and it can be tough just to get to all sides of the car, and of course there's no hose and no drain nearby. My previous cars were so old that the damage was already done and it wasn't worth worrying about - I just took them to elephant or brown bear every couple months or so and didn't worry about it.

So what do you all recommend? Do you think I can do an adequate job with just a bucketful of water/cleaner, trying to squeeze in next to the car's around it? Are there any good wash/wax setups that don't need much water?

If I have to break down and bring it to a car wash, any recommendations for in or around seattle? What level of service should I get from them?

thanks for any and all advice

 

do not take it to bradleys in bellevue. they left row after row of swirls when they "detailed" my 8. i wasn't aware that they allow you to wash cars in those garages you could always try those waterless car washes, or those coin operated ones. at least you would have control over what's going on with your car instead of trusting someone else with your baby...

 

Look through the Show and Shine section of the forum for threads about washing cars. A number of people are in your situation, no good place to wash, no hose, etc. Many of them take their washing supplies (bucket, car soap, wash mitts, etc.) to a coin operated place. They set it for water only and wash the car like they would if they had a driveway and hose. That's probably the safest way.

I would stay away from the automated ones like brown bear or elephant. The brushes will leave fine scratches and the track mechanism can mess up your rims.

Sorry I can't recommend a specific place in Seattle. My favorite spot is my driveway.

Good luck! Your car will thank you for keeping her clean.

 

yeah, they got all kinds of rules about what I can and can't do in my garage... but **** 'em - I own the space, and I'll do whatever I want in it as long as it doesn't affect anyone else's car. Besides, nothing will be worse than the time I was trying to revive my motorcycle and I squirted way too much sea-foam into the carbs... I filled the whole garage with white smoke (good thing it was 3am)

I'd forgotten about those coin-op places - it sounds like that will be my best bet. There's one not far on 15th. I'm sure this is a hotly debated subject, but any advice as to what products I should use? I've never washed/waxed my own car before.

 

thanks blue - that sounds like the way to go. I'll jump over there and get myself edumacated