[Thermobaric]

So my car is pretty filthy right now and I'm somewhat reluctant to try and wash it using my usual routine in our current sub zero temperatures. I wash it in the road, quiet road but still, I don't want to get a load of water all over the road, pavement e.t.c. and have myself or a pedestrian slip over or even cause an icy patch for an accident.

I notice in Germany, you can't drive 100mm without hitting a petrol station and lots seem to have detailing type bays with pressure washers, vacuums e.t.c. attached like we have air stations. Drive around on a Sunday and you see them all out cleaning their cars heh.

I was wondering if there was anything like that over here attached to any petrol stations or even stand alone. I just need something to blast off the majority of crap to make a regular wash a bit less of a hassle.

[overdrivex]

I see you're in Bucks County, PA right? Well I'm down here in Chester County and I know that around here where I live, theres a bunch of self service car washes that have a high pressure wand that you can use to blast off dirt with soapy water, and then rinse with clean water. I'm sure you must have some over there.

[Thermobaric]

Sorry, that would be Bucks as in Buckinghamshire in the UK heh.

[Dann]

I know of a few in my area that have pressure washers and one even has proper booths but they are in Hampshire or Kent.

Try Google streetviewing garages and seeing what they have. Saves you driving to them

[_Ascension_]

Not sure where in Bucks you are, but there (at least used to be) is a place in Aylesbury by Broadfields Tescos which has pressure washers and a rotating place you park your car so it spins as you wash it...

[Thermobaric]

I'm near High Wycombe but often find myself in Aylesbury. I'll check that out, sounds ideal. Cheers.

[overdrivex]

Originally Posted by Thermobaric

Sorry, that would be Bucks as in Buckinghamshire in the UK heh.

Oh oops sorry I just realized I was in the UK section, not USA. My bad.

[djgandy]

Shell garages often have them. Pretty pricey though. As do some Esso garages where you just feed the machine.

[_Ascension_]

Originally Posted by Thermobaric

I'm near High Wycombe but often find myself in Aylesbury. I'll check that out, sounds ideal. Cheers.

This is the place, as long as Google maps isn't that out of date, it's still there

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.82...2!8i6656?hl=en

[Thermobaric]

Thanks guys. I thought I knew my local Shells and Essos pretty well and not spotted them there. Will have to take a closer look at some of the ones a bit further away.

[Digitalize]

Sainsburys petrol stations often have one if they're fairly new.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Thermobaric

I was wondering if there was anything like that over here attached to any petrol stations or even stand alone. I just need something to blast off the majority of crap to make a regular wash a bit less of a hassle.

Maybe its a Bucks/towny thing? The majority of garages I use these days have hot & cold jet washes in perspex booths.

The local Shell has two side by side booths as well as the ubiquitous paint-ruining automatic car wash.

At weekends you sometimes see folks backing a trailer into one of the booths with motocross/enduro/trials bikes on to clean them up prior to getting home. (or maybe the odd Autograss odd ball...)

Or you could go to the local hand car wash and ask for a water jet-wash only with no TFR spray, that's what i've done if the car gets particularly muddy and they only charge £2 for that... and you get to stay warm.

[AlwynMike]

Originally Posted by doughboy

At weekends you sometimes see folks backing a trailer into one of the booths with motocross/enduro/trials bikes on to clean them up prior to getting home.

Caught!

Seriously, I pressure wash my enduro behind closed gates after my last one was stolen. Neighbours can still tell when I've been out because of the long streak of muddy water running down the hill. Oops.

Cars get washed on the drive too - don't worry about the water as we live on a steep hill, so if it's icy and snowy, cars can't get up or down (too narrow for trucks) and it never gets gritted. There's no pavement so any pedestrians who've made it up (or down) as far as my house are sure footed enough to cope. Not had complaints in the past 20-odd years

Mike

[Thermobaric]

I've been driving around and keeping an eye out but not spotted anything on my daily travels. Luckily the weather didn't stay so bad so I was able to wash it normally in positively tropical 13 degrees heh. Thanks for everyone's input though.

[Digitalize]

Fairly sure you can search for things like this on their websites?

[AWSAWS]

I don't know about the super powerful pressure washers at stations etc but my Karcher pressure washer still leaves behind a film of dirt if you don't use a sponge or mit with soapy water. It takes off the majority of it though. I don't think you can have a clean car without an actual rub down.

Just saying. Depends how clean you mean.

[The0pportunist]

Oooo good question. I've been looking out for 1 too...
Is there any in the south london area?

[Thermobaric]

Oh yeah. I would still use a lambswool mitt, two bucket method e.t.c. when washing.

[raptor_f22]

Originally Posted by Thermobaric

Oh yeah. I would still use a lambswool mitt, two bucket method e.t.c. when washing.

Try to google your nearest Shell pump, they usually have the buy-time pressure washers. Just don't touch the foam brush and be warned their "soap" from the lance is useless.

I used to run a detailing business but then had to sell my kit as I moved home. When my car is covered in dirt I just rinse off the big particles at the Shell station, being careful not to touch the car with anything until I can get home. I then give it the proper treatment as I've started to build my kit up again.

Once I bring it home, I still go through an APC and snow foam pre-wash before doing the 2 bucket method.

If you're ever around Surrey/Hampshire and need your car doing, give me a shout.