Splurge on car wash?

[97guns]

Do you ever pay for a car wash? Just got home from a trip and my car was covered in oak tree leaves and hair/pollen. I was all set to take it to a car wash this morning and looked around a little because I rarely have it done but when I do it's been a drive through machine type for I think $7.50. Being how dirty the car was I thought maybe it won't get all the leaves an pollen out, I looked for hand washes and they were like $25 so I decided to pay myself and wash it myself, only took 20 minutes

those hand wash places are killing it, I see line ups of cars every time I pass by them, multiple stores, every one of them

[disneysteve]

I love the results of having the car washed professionally but almost never do it.

Last year, my wife went out of town for a couple of weeks to help care for a relative. While she was gone I treated her and had her car detailed. I think it was about $15 and it really is worth it. With pollen season upon us, I've been thinking I really need to do it again. Having them clean the whole interior - vacuum, clean the windows, wipe down the dash the console, clean the door jambs - and wash and wax the outside is great. I really should splurge and have it done to both cars a few times a year.

[AJ444]

Get a $25 wash once a month, it isn't something I enjoy doing myself and I'd rather have the leisure time and pay someone else to do it.

[Jluke]

I buy a $30 gift card at the car wash for their basic wash. The deal is I get 5 car washes for the price of 4.

When the card is out of washes I add another $30. Simple enough.

The car wash is automated and is fancy enough that it was featured on one a cable tv special for advanced technology (or something).

[rennigade]

This isnt directed at anyone but my god...how lazy are people that they no longer wash their own cars? Especially if you have a driveway/hook up where you can hook up a hose and diy. Takes 10 minutes total unless you're special...from washing to drying off. Vacuuming takes a couple minutes...cleaning the windows from the inside doesnt take long...little armor all...you're done. I can do my car inside/out including waxing under 1.5 hours. I do use an orbital polisher though to apply wax...cotton rags to remove wax. Not difficult people. Its not like you're using a clay bar on the entire vehicle.

Again this goes back to "if you want something done right you do it yourself." If you do not mind micro scratches all over your car then let someone else do it...or better yet drive it through those self serve ones. They work really well, lol.

The spray ones you do with the wand are a complete joke. They do not clean your car...dont even waste your money.

[HundredK]

I have no choice, the complex we live in does not allow working on or washing your car on the property. So I either go to a wash-it-yourself car wash or go to one of the good automatic ones. And then I try to do the interior detailing myself.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I used to 2x a year have both our cars detailed. I considered it preventative maintenance with salt on roads. April and October. I also ran it through on the winters to get salt off. We didn't have anywhere to wash our car ourselves legally anyway. I did vaccum it and still do. Now I could wash it myself but no more salt so why bother? The rain does a good enough job and I still detail it.

[Fishindude77]

Well worth it to have an expensive automobile fully detailed a couple times per year. Runs between $60 and $125 around here.

[rennigade]

I have no choice, the complex we live in does not allow working on or washing your car on the property. So I either go to a wash-it-yourself car wash or go to one of the good automatic ones. And then I try to do the interior detailing myself.

Yup...this is a good reason why...I guess that or if someone is too old or handicapped. My apartment complex doesnt have outside hookups for a hose. I only get to wash mine by hand once a month whenever im in PA.

Two years ago my car was covered in salt due to snow. I took it to a car wash where you spray it down. Once I left and it dried it didnt even look like it was washed. Tried a different place...same results. What a waste of money.

I remember an article years ago where this kid had a business detailing exotic cars. I think he charged $10,000+ to detail a car. Took him around a month or so to detail it fully. It was hilarious...and people were booking him in advance to detail their vehicles. Sucker born every minute. Kid is a genius. Ill try to find the article. I swear it was on lifehacker or gizmodo back in the day.

This one costs $10,000 euros...not the one I am looking for though: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-good-new.html

[AJ444]

I can do my car inside/out including waxing under 1.5 hours.

Exactly, 1.5 hours of my time is worth more than $25.

[Petunia 100]

This isnt directed at anyone but my god...how lazy are people that they no longer wash their own cars? Especially if you have a driveway/hook up where you can hook up a hose and diy. Takes 10 minutes total unless you're special...from washing to drying off. Vacuuming takes a couple minutes...cleaning the windows from the inside doesnt take long...little armor all...you're done. I can do my car inside/out including waxing under 1.5 hours. I do use an orbital polisher though to apply wax...cotton rags to remove wax. Not difficult people. Its not like you're using a clay bar on the entire vehicle.

Again this goes back to "if you want something done right you do it yourself." If you do not mind micro scratches all over your car then let someone else do it...or better yet drive it through those self serve ones. They work really well, lol.

The spray ones you do with the wand are a complete joke. They do not clean your car...dont even waste your money.

Some people live where water is precious and it is a violation to wash your car in your driveway. Or maybe the drought is over and rules are softening, but conservation has become a personal value.

[bjl584]

I wash my truck myself in my driveway. It's relaxing to put on some music, have a couple of beers, and spend an hour or so on a weekend washing it.

[disneysteve]

This isnt directed at anyone but my god...how lazy are people that they no longer wash their own cars?

I can have it done professionally in 15 minutes for under $20.
I earn $120/hour at my job.
Is it worth it to me to spend the time to do it myself? No. Does that make me lazy? I don't think so. I work pretty hard for my money. I have no trouble spending a bit of it to have stuff like this done for me.

[Jluke]

I used to love washing my 2 cars at home...

Then I got married and had a kid. There's no time anymore.. esp with 3 cars to maintain.

I do still polish/wax each vehicle myself 1-2 times per year using the orbital tool; but I always have to request special permission from "the boss"

[commoncentsmike]

This isnt directed at anyone but my god...how lazy are people that they no longer wash their own cars? Especially if you have a driveway/hook up where you can hook up a hose and diy. Takes 10 minutes total unless you're special...from washing to drying off. Vacuuming takes a couple minutes...cleaning the windows from the inside doesnt take long...little armor all...you're done. I can do my car inside/out including waxing under 1.5 hours. I do use an orbital polisher though to apply wax...cotton rags to remove wax. Not difficult people. Its not like you're using a clay bar on the entire vehicle.

Again this goes back to "if you want something done right you do it yourself." If you do not mind micro scratches all over your car then let someone else do it...or better yet drive it through those self serve ones. They work really well, lol.


The spray ones you do with the wand are a complete joke. They do not clean your car...dont even waste your money.

My buddy is beyond meticulous with his car and cleans it probably twice a week, maybe more. His car always looks like it's been professionally detailed and I've admired that he's never paid anyone a penny to keep it looking that way.