[GmanJeff]

Pro-Clean, 1524-V Springhill Rd., Tysons Corner, 703-448-8335, www.procleanoftysons.com. They hand wash indoors, and also offer detailing.

[lucas.kent]

Originally Posted by williocom

the shell gas station off rt 1 in alexandria is pretty good. $7.

Hey williocom - do you know where off Rt 1 the Shell with the carwash is? I drove down there today from Old Town and couldn't find it for some reason...

[Shieldze1025]

Aren't the "touchless" spray carwashes bad for your clear coat? I've heard that from a few people, but don't really know anyone with proof. Regardless every one I've gone to does a shitty job and always leaves soap residue.

The places in the parking garages in tyson's seem pretty good, I know it's like $150 for a full detail so if they're charging that much it must be pretty decent right? haha

[BK]

Originally Posted by Shieldze1025

Aren't the "touchless" spray carwashes bad for your clear coat? I've heard that from a few people, but don't really know anyone with proof. Regardless every one I've gone to does a shitty job and always leaves soap residue.

The places in the parking garages in tyson's seem pretty good, I know it's like $150 for a full detail so if they're charging that much it must be pretty decent right? haha

Touchless spray washes are not bad for the CC. In fact, that's the reason you'd go there instead of an automatic brush wash -- those will swirl the CC.

The problem with touchless spray washes is that the soap is exceptionally harsh, so it cuts the life of wax or sealant in half. Or worse, if you go there often. Also, they don't clean the car very well. They leave a film behind, mainly from rinse water that could be cleaner (most touchless places recycle and filter their water).

OTOH, it is better than nothing and better than a brush wash. Also, it is nice to get the undercarriage sprayed occasionally.

An ONR wash using warm water and a grout sponge is probably the best way to go in the winter. But when it is too cold to even ONR, then an automatic spray wash is fine to clear away some salt and grime -- until it gets warm enough to give it a proper wash.

[pseto]

Originally Posted by BK

Touchless spray washes are not bad for the CC. In fact, that's the reason you'd go there instead of an automatic brush wash -- those will swirl the CC.

The problem with touchless spray washes is that the soap is exceptionally harsh, so it cuts the life of wax or sealant in half. Or worse, if you go there often. Also, they don't clean the car very well. They leave a film behind, mainly from rinse water that could be cleaner (most touchless places recycle and filter their water).

OTOH, it is better than nothing and better than a brush wash. Also, it is nice to get the undercarriage sprayed occasionally.

An ONR wash using warm water and a grout sponge is probably the best way to go in the winter. But when it is too cold to even ONR, then an automatic spray wash is fine to clear away some salt and grime -- until it gets warm enough to give it a proper wash.

definitely good points. if i have to use a touchless car wash, i immediately followup with a quick wipedown with a microfiber towel or use a waterless car wash (similar to ONR). never use a brush wash, those are evil!!!

also, for the automatic car washes, cars that are lowered or wearing wide rims may not fit in the tracks. i saw a dumbass try to push his SUV with 22s thru once and it was hilarious

[knicks66]

There's a Texaco that is touchless and has no rails in Alexandria. I foolishly brought my previous car ('07 M Coupe) to one with rails and it flaked a big chip of finish off my rear rim. Pissed me off!!

So be warned, those rails will get you. Now it's only rail-less and touchless for my new ride ('10 AW 335i M Sport). Here's the address:

Texaco - 4109 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA‎

[huyner328]

I work in Alexandria... will definitely check out that Texaco tomorrow during lunch.

[huyner328]

Welp, I tried that Texaco and it wasn't too bad at all for $8. Bring some microfiber or something to dab dry the car afterwards as the blow dryers aren't sufficient.

[00angela00]

u all know i like to shop....so i like pronto wash in Tysons I mall

[captainrb]

Originally Posted by BK

I know of 3 in McLean (actually 1 in Tysons, 2 in McLean). They all suck to varying degrees, but they're fine for winter.

1. Exxon on corner of Rte 7 and Spring Hill Road.
2. Exxon on corner of Old Dominion and Chain Bridge (not 123, the other Chain Br)
3. Shell across the street from Exxon #2 above.

The Shell place does not blow dry, it just leaves the car wet after spraying it. The two Exxon places blow it dry.

I went to the Exxon #2 above today and it should be called "touchless and worthless". I really could not see any difference before and after. I cannot wait until we get some temps over 40 degrees so that I can do it on the driveway.

Anybody been to the hand wash place in Tysons near Golfdom?

[Cptn Mo 703]

Originally Posted by 00angela00

u all know i like to shop....so i like pronto wash in Tysons I mall

Yea I went up there the other night... there was a range, cayenne, m6...but they told me they couldnt take me cuz all the water was freezing the second they hit the cars... gonna give them a try next week when i max out the credit cards lol

[00angela00]

Originally Posted by Cptn Mo 703

Yea I went up there the other night... there was a range, cayenne, m6...but they told me they couldnt take me cuz all the water was freezing the second they hit the cars... gonna give them a try next week when i max out the credit cards lol

haha yea max out the cards!!! they always have nice cars there...so i think they do a nice job. hope u like it!

I'm trying to avoid the mall so my car is super dirty

[x5m power]

They got alot of them in Manass.....ass if you want to travel here, one on Rt 234. Used them for years, if your not afraid of freezing your hands off later..

[brinkmann]

I need to start looking for a good touchless car was myself... during the Summer/Spring/Winter I always wash it by hand at least once a week but this cold weather is too much...

[Shieldze1025]

So I'm going out of town for work today for two weeks, I tried to get an appointment at Pro-Clean but they were booked until Thursday. I would like to get something done today though.

Originally Posted by captainrb

I went to the Exxon #2 above today and it should be called "touchless and worthless". I really could not see any difference before and after. I cannot wait until we get some temps over 40 degrees so that I can do it on the driveway.

Anybody been to the hand wash place in Tysons near Golfdom?

I've seen it, but has anyone been there? Any reviews?

Originally Posted by 00angela00

u all know i like to shop....so i like pronto wash in Tysons I mall

Is that the one in the parking garage?

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by captainrb

I went to the Exxon #2 above today and it should be called "touchless and worthless". I really could not see any difference before and after. I cannot wait until we get some temps over 40 degrees so that I can do it on the driveway.

Anybody been to the hand wash place in Tysons near Golfdom?

i've used them
not bad
$16 for hand wash, $5 extra for wheels
not bad but they have rails
i don't have any issues as i have 18" wheels
but not sure about 19" and above

they had a special for a few months $9.99 for a hand wash
great deal

[Shieldze1025]

Originally Posted by kmarei

i've used them
not bad
$16 for hand wash, $5 extra for wheels
not bad but they have rails
i don't have any issues as i have 18" wheels
but not sure about 19" and above

they had a special for a few months $9.99 for a hand wash
great deal

I have 18's so if you say they survive I might check it out. One thing I don't get is how "rails" and "hand wash" go together? I saw that when I drove by.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by Shieldze1025

I have 18's so if you say they survive I might check it out. One thing I don't get is how "rails" and "hand wash" go together? I saw that when I drove by.

well it's more like a hybrid
you put the car in the rails
it gets pushed forward
water is sprayed, then soap
then about 6 guys with towels hand wash the car/wheels with towels
then more water is sprayed then air blast then the guys come back to dry with towels
so its an automated car wash but with people replacing the brushes for the washing stage

[huyner328]

While the Champion Wash by Golfdom is an above average place to get your car washed but... I would still go to touchless car washes. Like the one off of Old Dominion Exxon that someone mentioned. I've seen the towels Champion uses and they aren't the cleanest and I'm certain it'll result in some swirls.

[Shieldze1025]

I just got back from Champion, not too bad, the interior was done well. It cost me $19 which isn't bad either.

You drive yourself into the rails, so just be sure to keep to the inside of them, that way if anything does rub you won't even notice b/c it'll be the inside of the wheel. They did a decent job overall, nothing too special though.

I tried Pronto Wash in Tyson's I first, apparently "pronto" means an hour and a half. Very professional and nice, I just didn't have time to wait that long.

[MikeLogan]

I run my car through the touchless spray wash at the Texaco on Duke street, about 1/2 mile west of Quaker lane in Alexandria(just outside of Old Town). It does a nice job, then I take it back to my parking garage to finish detailing it. A bucket of water with a rag is useful to get the areas it may miss, plus stuff you pick up on the way back.

[Shieldze1025]

Went to Pro-clean in Tyson's yesterday, $25 bucks (with their online "coupon") for full wash and vacuum. Took 25 minutes and came out great.