Coin-op Etiquette

[Metal Wing]

Well, not sure if this thread should go in this section, but I figured it is as good of a place as any other...

So, being a new car owner, I don't have any experience with coin-op car washes. I am wondering if anyone is willing to share their etiquette with me? (Google wasn't all too helpful)

If all spots are full, do you wait behind someone, so you are next in? Watch them wash their car?
Do you take your time when you are in there? Do everything while in the spot? Soap, rinse, wheels, wax, everything?
Interior, exterior?

Just wondering what are some things that are generally frowned upon, so I don't piss off anyone...

Thank you!

[terapr0]

hand washing and towel drying inside the bay is perfectly acceptable, regardless of the lineup and shouting bystanders. Any dissenting opinions can get ****ed :p

[leecheefoto]

handwash yes dont use the foam brushes!!! They use it to clean the wheels

Drying the vehicle inside bay is a grey area for some coin-ops. If there's no sign about drying in the bay, then do it!

Soap and rinse is most for me. Bring your own wheel cleaner spray and brush which saves you money

[Rob23]

hand washing and towel drying inside the bay is perfectly acceptable, regardless of the lineup and shouting bystanders. Any dissenting opinions can get ****ed :p

Drying your car in the wash bay is not acceptable at all, MOST have signs saying it is not allowed. Unless it is not busy. And yes bring your own washing mitts and drying towels do not use the brush!

[Metal Wing]

Yeah, I've read the other thread about not using the brush - Certainly not going to! Is it acceptable to take my time as far as washing is concerned? If I I pay for 2 minutes, then soap and wash, then another 2 minutes to rinse and then I want to repeat the whole ordeal once or twice more. I mean, I am paying... but is that frowned upon? (I am never generally happy after the first wash. Doesn't feel clean enough)

[trulankan]

Yeah, I've read the other thread about not using the brush - Certainly not going to! Is it acceptable to take my time as far as washing is concerned? If I I pay for 2 minutes, then soap and wash, then another 2 minutes to rinse and then I want to repeat the whole ordeal once or twice more. I mean, I am paying... but is that frowned upon? (I am never generally happy after the first wash. Doesn't feel clean enough)

lol stop worrying so much. if you pay for the time u might as well get your monies worth. as for drying, that's the only thing i would do after pulling my car out of the bay

[terapr0]

Drying your car in the wash bay is not acceptable at all, MOST have signs saying it is not allowed.

lol yea I'm joking. The only time I hand dry is when the place is dead. Sometimes I'll go at midnight just to have the luxury of time. Nothing's as frustrating as feeling rushed, especially when you've paid good $$$ to be there.

[terapr0]

I should also note that (in my opinion anyway) it's perfectly acceptable to spend a few minutes washing your rims inside the bay. Obviously dont be an ******* and spend a half hour doing it, but nothing wrong with giving them a quick spoke-by-spoke clean.

[Metal Wing]

I should also note that (in my opinion anyway) it's perfectly acceptable to spend a few minutes washing your rims inside the bay. Obviously dont be an ******* and spend a half hour doing it, but nothing wrong with giving them a quick spoke-by-spoke clean.

Washing the rims would go into the process of soaping up the car I'd assume, and then you'd rinse it all together? If not at the bay, where else would you wash your rims (unless you do the whole one bucket method)

Yeah, I think going closer to midnight is best, although as the warm weather rolls around, I think many are going to be doing that, hah!

[silverstarmazda]

this is why i go in at like 3-5 in the morning. no one is there (except 1 employee) to give a sh*t. you get to do what ever you want. just washed last night and my car is super clean

[The Wolf]

I hate my car so I use the brush

[greyseason]

LOL

Ill usually put my money in, and try to finish before time runs out. I only wipe the car down if its not busy, but if it is, they usually have parking/drying spots to pull into to wipe the car down, and thats where you can clean your wheels and such cause theyll still be wet

and when theres a line, just wait in line back a little and wait for the first car to pull out and you pull in there, just like at a gas station or wherever

[6strings]

Well, not sure if this thread should go in this section, but I figured it is as good of a place as any other...

So, being a new car owner, I don't have any experience with coin-op car washes. I am wondering if anyone is willing to share their etiquette with me? (Google wasn't all too helpful)

If all spots are full, do you wait behind someone, so you are next in? Watch them wash their car?
Do you take your time when you are in there? Do everything while in the spot? Soap, rinse, wheels, wax, everything?
Interior, exterior?

Just wondering what are some things that are generally frowned upon, so I don't piss off anyone...

Thank you!

If its full, watch them finish. Take your time when you're in there. Don't dry inside if its busy.

[loki]

I wash mine on my driveway

People stop on the street watching me and yelling to hurry up

[leecheefoto]

I wash mine on my driveway

People stop on the street watching me and yelling to hurry up

Did you try the absorber ?
I wash mine on my driveway and my neighbour yells when I accidentally get foam on her driveway.

[loki]

Did you try the absorber ?
I wash mine on my driveway and my neighbour yells when I accidentally get foam on her driveway.

Not yet. It is in my possession. Hope to try it soon

[Jackal]

Did you try the absorber ?
I wash mine on my driveway and my neighbour yells when I accidentally get foam on her driveway.

You got a weirdo neighbour. Put lots of foam when they're not looking.

[leecheefoto]

You got a weirdo neighbour. Put lots of foam when they're not looking.

They'll probably key my car again. (I know it's them..)

I have the wolfgang foam gun I can basically foam the whole driveway !!

[Aitch]

I hand-wash inside the bay, and don't feel guilty usually as I only take as much time as most others in total. Of course I haven't actually "paid" for that time as I only pay for the first 3 minutes of soaping, and then the last three minutes of rinsing.

I will only hand-dry in the bay if there is no one waiting. Absorber makes drying so quick that you can do it in the sun without getting water spots.

[bryansbestwax]

Buy optimum no rinse. Pre fill the buckets at home, and he the gamma seal lids for them (home depot has them now?). Pop in $3 and do a quick pre rinse. Then wash the onr way. Bam. Clean car.

[Lumberjack]

While I only coin op in the winter I use these buckets and bring my own soap and rinse buckets (with screw top lids) and pay for a rinse to start and finish. Note the grit guards for the bottom that trap the dirt.

http://www.adamspolishes.ca/p-382-adams-grit-guard-car-wash-bucket.aspx

[leungalv]

I wash mine on my driveway

People stop on the street watching me and yelling to hurry up

Is it because the bikini doesn't fit you anymore?

[loki]

Is it because the bikini doesn't fit you anymore?

No!!!!!

Yes....

[hamza7]

Love this thread, it's funny.