blue flash

does the soap in the public car washers strip the wax off your car or is it safe to use .normally i wash by hand but it has rained here the last 2days and i want to spray it off {without using the brush }

guy321

I have been told that it does. I preferr to use a detail spray.

Booster MPS

I dont know for sure, but I would avoid it. I would assume that it is a bulk buy, concentrate, low cost high volume kind of product.

Koala Joe

Blue Flash, are you referring to those DIY Car Washes where they have the High Velocity Sprays? If that's the case, yes the soap from those nosels does take off the way on your car. In fact, if you just want to spray off the rain residue from your car, just use the "spotless" selection on the wash.

If you're not referring to the DIY Car Washes, and you're referring to the outside Car Wash that people wash for you, those soap also tends to strip off your existing wax. Unless you intent to have them express wax for you, I suggest you stay away from them.

saxRX-8

It is better to buy a good washing product and wash it your self. I really don't trust public car washers they can do scratch or damage the car and then pretend they don't know anything about it.

FirstSpin

I could eat these words some day, but I just can't see letting strangers who don't give a tinker's damn about my car or how it looks "clean" it. I'll wash my own thank you....

Literatii

After waxing my car in October 2003, I was able to use "rinse" at the wand-style DIY car-washes... for about 2 months.

When winter hit, I lasted another 3 weeks, but eventually I had to use the Soap setting. Otherwise I could not get the car clean.

Now that it's summer, I'm going to re-wax and hopefully go back to "rinse only" mode for a couple of months.

rx8miami

i absolutely concur. on a black car (this is from experience) they cause swirl marls that look like they ate the clear coat. that high pressure crap is definitely not good enough for my 8! so it shouldn't be for yours!

wayneside

washing yourself is the best way to do it!

XcelR8

I talked to the owner of a DIY spray carwash and he told me that the pre-soak and the soap he uses will not take off the wax. But, he added that there are several cheaper soaps available that may. In between good hand washes at home, I cover the car in pre-soak and then spray off with high pressure rinse. When drying the car after this, there is very little dirt on the towel which tells me the it is doing the job of cleaning the car. I NEVER use the brush at these washes!

red_rx8_red_int

I wash my car once or twice a week at the DIY high pressure places and do not think it removes my wax (actually, my polymer Zaino). If you're using a real wax, your milage may vary. But I've had my car for about 9 months-16k miles and have no complaints about their soap. I also hand wash about once a month, just remember that even with high pressure and getting up close 1-2 inches away, the high pressure only removes most of the dirt. To really clean a car you need to wipe with a clean sponge/handiwipe/towel/mitt/something.

psionic1

I go to a DIY because where I live, I have no hose access. I went to KBToys and bought a small toy bucket. At the auto store, I bought my mits and chamios (sp?) as well as MacGuires car wash.

Lastly, I bought 5 gallon zip locks to store all of the products safely in my trunk.

At the DIY wash, I only ever use the rinse (plain water). I get the car wet, and fill my bucket. Wash the car, then put out another 15 quarters to rinse it off. Then dry.

I take my sweet time in the nice shaded area they provide.

It's basically like renting a hose for a total of like ten minutes, as well as the nice shaded area to do it in. Not bad considering I will take up a bay for about an hour, sometimes more when you consider the wheels and int/ext glass.

zzum-zum

I use the DIY wash near me once or twice a week, and almost always use the soap and brush (I ALWAYS rinse the brush first w/ the high press spray). I waxed my car with Maquires Gold Class and water was still beading after 4 months.

psionic1

Don't ever use the brush.

I was a detailer for Mercedes Benz, with a budget that allowed us the best equipment. And guess what? We used a high pressure washer that filtered water, a bucket, and wash mits. Dry with MF or chamois.

The brushes will act like an abrassive and will eventually ruin your finish.

Shockey

Brushes will scratch your car to hell.