Any suggestions on portable car washers?

[fordrocks]

I live in a condo where we have covered parking but no electrical outlet or water/hose available. I usually go to my parent's house to wash my car but its getting to be a hassle so I have been looking into getting a portable car washer all in one type of machine. The only one I have been able to find is a nomad machine but it seems a bit flimsy. Anyone with any recommendations or maybe I should just create one, this damn black car is too much work

http://www.nomad2go.com/automobile-show-car/tools-equipment-detailing-portable.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvit-8guaxE

 

[NastyStang113]

To be honest I'm not so sure about it. Did anyone else notice how 'watery' his soap is? I wonder why... It wouldn't make a good video for the product if he was having to spray forever to remove all of the soap.

 

[GallopingFord]

That is very cool especially since I only hand wash my car and at school that is a pain in the ass.

 

[fordrocks]

To be honest I'm not so sure about it. Did anyone else notice how 'watery' his soap is? I wonder why... It wouldn't make a good video for the product if he was having to spray forever to remove all of the soap.

I know, not the best advertising huh?

That is very cool especially since I only hand wash my car and at school that is a pain in the ass.

I rather have my car dirty than to go through one of those quick gas station brush washer. Looks like there may be a market for a better product especially for the show car people. This rainy season here in South FL. is killing me, I can't keep my ride clean for more than a day and a better product sure would help.

 

[erat]

Get a another girlfriend, with a hose.

...maybe watch her wash it after she makes you a sandwich.

I'm with you, my car wouldn't see an automatic car wash.

 

[BAKnBLK2010]

I'll probably get flamed for what I'm about to tell you but here goes. When I was a teenager I lived with my Mom in an apartment complex with no water hose to wash my car. Well I like having a clean car so I came up with a system that I still use to this day. All you need is a small bucket filled with just water, a microfiber wash mit, and a clean microfiber towel. Get both the mit and towel wet the wring out the towel as much as you can. Now with the mit simply wash the top, hood, front window, back window and deck lid. Now with the towel dry the areas you just washed. Then move on to drivers side of the car and repeat, then passenger side, then the back of the car, then the front of the car. Save the wheels and wheel wells for last then wipe out your door jams and you are done. DO not use any soap with this method water only. It works like a charm and your car will look great when finished with no worry of water spots. MUST be done in a shady area to look best. People will say this will scratch your paint but in 30 years of doing this my paint has always looked great.


Edit: Don't use the micro mitt on the wheels, body parts only.

 

[NastyStang113]

Cringe.. There are products like ONR to do something similiar that you should look into. The soap adds the needed lubricity to keep the paint from marring.

 

[blacllkllsi]

I live in a condo where we have covered parking but no electrical outlet or water/hose available. I usually go to my parent's house to wash my car but its getting to be a hassle so I have been looking into getting a portable car washer all in one type of machine. The only one I have been able to find is a nomad machine but it seems a bit flimsy. Anyone with any recommendations or maybe I should just create one, this damn black car is too much work

http://www.nomad2go.com/automobile-show-car/tools-equipment-detailing-portable.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvit-8guaxE

As nasty suggested, I would use the Optimum No Rinse. It is specifically made to wash your car where very little water is available. You can also dilute it and use it as a clay lube or a quick detailer. I can send you a few ounces to sample if you want to try it out. I have a whole gallon of this stuff sitting in my garage.

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

 

[mpf]

Yea, you could do what Baknblack says, but add 1 more bucket. This additional one is where you rinse off the mitt, then back to bucket 1 where the water is clean.
I knew a pretty picky guy in apt. bldg., and he did this with good results.
I would say it beats an auto car wash?

 

[Xporter]

What about the self car washes that have a hose and brush set up. Just bring your own mitt and preferred wash.

 

[fordrocks]

What about the self car washes that have a hose and brush set up. Just bring your own mitt and preferred wash.

I would use them but all of the three around me use recycled water and are in areas that I dont feel comfortable pluss these stripes on my car are vinyl so those pressure hoses are not a good idea.

 

[fordrocks]

As nasty suggested, I would use the Optimum No Rinse. It is specifically made to wash your car where very little water is available. You can also dilute it and use it as a clay lube or a quick detailer. I can send you a few ounces to sample if you want to try it out. I have a whole gallon of this stuff sitting in my garage.

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

Would ONR work on a dirty car? I wouldn't mind sampling it though.

 

[NastyStang113]

I would use them but all of the three around me use recycled water and are in areas that I dont feel comfortable pluss these stripes on my car are vinyl so those pressure hoses are not a good idea.

No reason to worry with the pressure washer on the stripes.

 

[John@Lethal]

Would ONR work on a dirty car? I wouldn't mind sampling it though.

It depends how dirty the car is. Theoretically it will work. If the car is really filthy, I would just opt for a full soap wash to play it safe. When the car is maintained on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, ONR is a perfect option.

 

[GallopingFord]

What about the self car washes that have a hose and brush set up. Just bring your own mitt and preferred wash.

This is what I do, I bring my own buckets, wash, mitts, etc and just use the presure hose. I'd never use that brush they provide. That thing is sandpaper...

 

[fordrocks]

It depends how dirty the car is. Theoretically it will work. If the car is really filthy, I would just opt for a full soap wash to play it safe. When the car is maintained on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, ONR is a perfect option.

It rains here in Miami damn near every other day and there is construction going on the highways where I have to drive so that is the reason I want something where I can use water to wash away the dirt/sand. I will take a pic soon so you can see what my car looks like after a rainy day here.

 

[fordrocks]

No reason to worry with the pressure washer on the stripes.

I have learned the hard way, lol!! I stood too close and the pressure was strong enough to lift part of the stripe on my hood. I can't wait to get stripes painted on.

 

[DKS]

I have learned the hard way, lol!! I stood too close and the pressure was strong enough to lift part of the stripe on my hood. I can't wait to get stripes painted on.

Pay attention to your angles. If you're spraying straight on you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If you're attacking it at a low angle then it is possible to peel your stripes if your pressure is high enough.

 

[Franchi]

When I lived in apartment complexes, and I lived in numerous ones before I bought a house, I just went to Home Depot and bought a 3 dollar hose fitting that let me hook a hose up to my faucet in my kitchen or bathroom and then snaked it out to wash the car. Cheap and easy. Not a ton of water pressure but more then enough to wash a car.

 

[rford426]

I went to lowes sooo many times looking how to do that just to piss off my apt manager ****...I would be a happy man if i could find it!