Car Lovers car wash

Cannibal · 07-06-2006, 01:25 PM

Has anyone ever had any problems with car lovers car wash.

I have been told that the detergent they use is to concentrated and it eats into the paint. Wanna know if this is true.

Would be interesting to hear other peoples point of view.

The Yeti · 07-06-2006, 01:37 PM

I have a problem with using a glorified broom to wash my car, that and the broom the guy before me used to wash his mud packed 4WD 5 mins before.

Saying that I wash my company car at one of those coffee while you wait wash and vac joints and I dont pay extra for the hand wash. and it still hasnt suffred

rag top · 07-06-2006, 01:40 PM

I've seen what the degreaser can do if left on the paint too long, and that ain't pretty.

As for the detergent, no issues.

As a rule, I always hose the broom down first prior to my using it anywhere on my cars.

fiery · 07-06-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '67

As a rule, I always hose the broom down first prior to my using it anywhere on my cars.

I do agree with that.

Spend an extra dollar and clean the broom properly with the hose thingy first..

The only thing I will say about the detergent is I doubt it is good quality, but it is ok for a desperate wash.....

GTPete · 07-06-2006, 01:54 PM

Theres no way I would ever use those brooms at car lovers.
Whenever I go there its after hours. I take my own sponge, bucket and meguires detergent, I only use their pressured water.
Costs a $1 to hose the dust off the car and fill the bucket and $2 to wash the soap off.

Ive seen people pump $15 into a single car wash and there doing all the work!

**Full Noise** · 07-06-2006, 01:58 PM

Take your own bucket, sponge and detergent. As long as you fill the bucket up with their water, there’s not a lot they can do about it. I’ve had a few blues in the past (could you believe that I’d actually get into a blue with someone) with some of the operators of these sites who demand that I stop using my bucket and use their broom. I’ve told these people in an extremely nice way where they can stick their broom and if they have a problem with that, call the cops.

Then I never use their carwash again.

Cheers, Danny

MRJUCY · 07-06-2006, 02:01 PM

I wouldn't go near my car with a broom in my wildest nightmare. As for the wash it's cheap nasty stuff that can dissolve much of your wax in the short term exposing your paint to more damage etc & isn't great for the paints condition in the medium term either let alone long term.

Laminge · 07-06-2006, 02:14 PM

Hazard Car Wash Warning Bulletin

Full Noise.
Picture attached of offender

***Please immediately drill several holes in this man bucket on sight. He may have several buckets stored in his car so we suggest you also complete a thorough "Drill to Survive" inspection of his vehicle.***

Notice ends.

Car Lovers Management Services
Keeping buckets out of car washes.

WILDTRAKPX2 · 07-06-2006, 02:14 PM

Another thing... I have heard that the water is re-used grey water from the car wash. Well filtered I hope.

fiery · 07-06-2006, 02:24 PM

Ohhhh so good there Laminge.. you cracked a funny

Most of the car washes will not mind you using a bucket as long as it is not when the place is busy (which they say is any daylight hours to early evenings apparently)...

I love my car as much as anyone, I do detailing for a living, and I can honestly say the detergent isn't fantastic but it won't really harm your car if you use it as an emergency clean (yep, I have done that)...

You will not get a great clean, but it is better than no clean...

After I cleaned it there I then put all the normal products on my car... The paint has not been affected in any way... But, I don't know what it would be like if you used it regularly....

fast66 · 07-06-2006, 02:30 PM

I have also heard of a***holes hitting nails through the broom so that when you use it it gouges off you paint. I only wash my 4WD or my company car there (don't really care about the paint work on either) the mustang is tenderly hand washed on my back lawn!

fiery · 07-06-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast66

I have also heard of a***holes hitting nails through the broom so that when you use it it gouges off you paint. I only wash my 4WD or my company car there (don't really care about the paint work on either) the mustang is tenderly hand washed on my back lawn!

I always run my hands through the brush before bothering to clean it properly...

Well a lot more Queenslanders are going to be using car wash places soon due to the water restrictions.. :(

Danny · 07-06-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTPete

Theres no way I would ever use those brooms at car lovers.
Whenever I go there its after hours. I take my own sponge, bucket and meguires detergent, I only use their pressured water.

I do that too. The broom is as bad as those spinning things in auto car washes for your paint. Its made of the same stuff, and I WONT use em no matter what.

I'm into washing my car with a chamois these days in the never ending pursuit for the most duco-friendly wash. I'm extremely pedantic and will only go to Carlovers if its an absolute emergency, Or I can't be stuffed mucking round with our gurney at home....

Which is, I might add, not often.

sickxr · 07-06-2006, 03:13 PM

I use the Car Lovers at Rothwell every week for years now. Ive never had any issues with it.

07-06-2006, 03:15 PM

I put in $2 and use their wash bays to high pressure spray the guards/underside of the car, as well as over the paint work. I get as much grime off as possible. From there I take it home and use my wash mit and bucket to finish off the car.

If I'm going to wax the car when I get home, at the car wash I'll turn on the high pressure soap spray to help strip the old wax off.

Spotty · 07-06-2006, 04:21 PM

I've stopped using the broom after a close inspection of the paint work I couldn't believe the scratches that were there. I agree with the suggestion to go there after hours with your bucket....... use one chamois to wash and another one to dry.

Some of the places do have a sign saying no hand washing. If the attendant has an issue I just stick $2 in the slot and let him stand there fuming with soap suds building up everywhere while I continue my hand wash.

OED666 · 07-06-2006, 04:41 PM

i rarely use the brush, i mainly keep my car clean enough to use the gurny, and i have the soap and then rinse it.

the one thing that drives me insane though, if someone before you used the wax, or degreaser last, it takes ages for it to get out of the system, whilst your paying $$$ for stuff you dont want coming out of the hose. sometimes i have been waiting 20 seconds for the previous stuff to get out, and the soap to come through....

HLC · 07-06-2006, 04:48 PM

Meguiars! :sm_headba

anyway, i was my car on the driveway with the hose. i use less water than buckets that way.

Black XR6 · 08-06-2006, 03:26 AM

Here Here oed666. You just bloody stand there forever waiting for the last guys wax to finish. All the time thinking, this is using my $2.

I try not to use em, ive used em a few times on the GT but only in emergency right before a run and havent had time to clean it up properly incident. The AU has copped a few more attacks from the broom though.

blackers10 · 08-06-2006, 03:38 AM

i have never used/been to a carwash on ANY of my cars

always been at home with the hose and sponge(now wash mitt) and chamois and TLC

after the water restrictions come in
i will be getting/making a bucket with a hose fitting on it
and getting a karcher or superworks spraygun that is OK for use with bucketed water

stick that up ya clacker my buckets only!!
and aye.. can always use a long hose and leave bucket filling constantly from the tap!
its still in a bucket!!
but im not that much of an *** and try to conserve water where i can
(have restrained my self to 1 wash per week(hard with daily driven dark green car that gets driven TO work at 1pm.. and home at midnight (bug splatter heaven)
also road works recently between home and work
and living on a fairly busy road = lots of dust and just badness getting onto my paint
but thankfully i dont have that great of a paintjob and will be saving for a full respray in the future!

Martyvan · 08-06-2006, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiery

Well a lot more Queenslanders are going to be using car wash places soon due to the water restrictions.. :(

Unfortunately this is the situation, we are all facedwith over the coming weeks / months / years. Im going to be installing a rainwater tank when i renovate, for this very purpose (as well as garden's), i would still like to be able to wash my car by hand at home....

But i guess even a rainwater tank isnt the answer.... WE STILL NEED RAIN TO FILL IT FIRST... LOL

LTDHO · 08-06-2006, 07:29 AM

I'd wash my Vitara there no prob's.

The LTD, will only get soaped up and then hosed off.
Never use a bucket, sponge or soap of my own when the owner is there. Otherwise they will tell you to leave.

xwgthoe · 08-06-2006, 08:41 AM

Only use these facilities for blasting out the wheel arches and nothing else. About two years ago I was going past one in my area once and seen a guy washing his two camels!!! Yep that's right no typo - two camels, I had to pull on the handbrake and go back for a look. Times when I wish I had a camera. Never used them before or since but always have a bit of a chuckle when driving past this particular place...........

XTC 190 · 08-06-2006, 09:13 AM

I have only used the drive through car wash, the brushless one,at car lovers as the brooms, little scratches everywhere, especially on a dark coloured car. mostly I do the basic wash about 10 bucks but I still get out and check te car immediatley after to make all the detergents etc are rinse off, the less use of a broom brush sponge being used on the car the better, any fine detailing is done at home and generaly chamois over the car again including all inner door,boot and bonnet panels,inside the petrol cap panel and rear vision mirrors.
The brushless car wash I find the best cause its only water hitting the car and ot a untrustworthy brush

4.9 EF Futura · 08-06-2006, 09:24 AM

Wash my shytebox there but not the falcon. Best part about carlovers is going there at obscure times of the night during summer and just stuffing around. Great fun heading down with a couple of mates @ 1am when its still 30 degrees outside.

pennybrain · 08-06-2006, 10:25 AM

I never use the brush on my car but I think the detergent is ok. I usually just use the high pressure hose to wash the dirt off. Then wash the car properly at home. I used to wash my nissan pulsar with the brush though, but I didn't care too much for that car (i cared for it just not as much as I do for my falcon)!

[Tonko] · 08-06-2006, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast66

I have also heard of a***holes hitting nails through the broom so that when you use it it gouges off you paint.

yeah, seen that, and the old wire-around-the-spinning-brush trick, now THAT is a nasty one,
i was the daily at the carwash near my work, but then again im not the sharpest tool in the shed, i bought a black car when i have a dirt/gravel driveway....

gozza · 08-06-2006, 02:52 PM

ive never used it
i like to wash my car by hand......

Dark Horse · 08-06-2006, 03:21 PM

It's amazing to watch how many people simply have no idea how to use the equipment in the washbays, when you're lined up to use one on a busier part of the day.

Anyways I bring my own stuff and use the high pressure hose in rinse. Even with the owner there he has no issues - I'm a regular. (He even gave me a discount voucher to use at his other newly opened carwash place). Beauty!

BENT_8 · 08-06-2006, 03:34 PM

I dont have a problem with using these car washes cos the closest one to me is 56km away and im damned if im gonna waste petrol going that far just to strip the top layer off my cars duco!
I only ever use my maguires washmit and quality car wash and now that i have two large rainwater tanks i rinse it off with chlorineless water.
It barely even needs to be chamoised afterwards

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