How do you wash without a hose?

[dtiep]

In my current circumstance (apartment life), I don't have a water hose, so how do apartment dwellers wash their cars?
I've been reading on the 2 bucket method, but that still requires a hose to rinse.
I'm thinking about just filling up another bucket for rinsing which will probably require lots of trips up and down the stairs from my apt.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

And no I can't just run it through a touchless wash because my 4runner is too dirty and I've already tried that.

don

 

[jharris2]

When I lived in an apartment, I bought a hose and used the faucet at the side of the building.

If there's no faucet, you could use a coin-operated car wash with the pressure guns. I wouldn't use the coin-operated "touchless" washes unless there was absolutely no alternative.

Or find a friend and offer to was their car if they will let youuse their hose and driveway to wash the 4Runner.

 

[alpha]

I didn't wash my truck much when I lived in an apt. It just stayed dirty.

One time, I used a pressure washer that I had. Was slow, but did the job. I kept worrying about running out of water.

One time, I used the pressure gun car wash thing. Ran out of coins with the truck still soaped up. There went a good $8. I think that timer was running fast or something. I swear, I used like $8 in less than 5 minutes.

Another time I ran it through a touchless car wash. Had no choice and it was really dirty. No time, plus trying to get snow gunk off, was just the perfect combo to have me run it through.

And now, my roommates and I are renting a house. Yay for a hose..

But in the apt, probably went a few months or so at a time without washing it. Only washed it like 3 times in like 10 months.

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

In my current circumstance (apartment life), I don't have a water hose, so how do apartment dwellers wash their cars?
I've been reading on the 2 bucket method, but that still requires a hose to rinse.
I'm thinking about just filling up another bucket for rinsing which will probably require lots of trips up and down the stairs from my apt.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

And no I can't just run it through a touchless wash because my 4runner is too dirty and I've already tried that.

don

Try one of those self wash places. Bring your bucket. Don't use their brush or tool to wash your car. If you master this, you can rinse and wash with max two rounds of quarters. Depending on the cost of the self wash places, you might want to consider a hand wash place as your 2nd option. We have tons of hand wash places in this area and they are not bad when you don't have time to do the wash yourself. $10 to $15 per wash by hands. I usually try to get there when they open early in the morning.. That way I am sure the towels are not totally dirty yet. Check to make sure they do use clean ones starting a new day. It's not perfect but definitely better than those brushless car wash.

 

[dtiep]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I was sorta leaning towards bringing my own bucket & sponge to one of those self washes, but there are signs that explicitly prohibit this kind of activity. I don't want to break any rules.
I live in a small town in West Virginia, so there is only 1 hand wash place, but they use the same kind of brush as the self washes. I p/o'ed the owner when I found out that they used a brush and pulled out in reverse while waiting in a line with other cars.
The washing your friend's car idea is awesome! Who wouldn't agree to that!

This may sound desperate, but it's hypothetical: has anyone ever washed during rain?
Or soaped up their car right before a big storm?

 

[alpha]

never done it.. bad idea.. acid rain..

you could just bring a bucket and sponge late night when no one else is there.. i never personally had the time to do that.. i've thought about it though.. granted, its well lit, but not sure about safety.. you're choice..

 

[Bluto]

Quick and Easy Wash (QEW). No hose needed.

http://www.protectall.com/qelg.htm


Nice to use in the garage during the winter and when there are water restrictions during the summer.


I avoid even rinsing at the self serve car washes. The recycled water causes water spots on the paint. I would never use the brush on my paint.


I've washed before and after rain. Mostly to hide my washing during water restricitons.

I would give the QEW a try after a good rain.

 

[greasefingers]

When I lived in an apt I bought a very long garden hose and attached it to the cloths washing machine. The supply line to most washers is the same fitting as a garden hose connector. However if you don

 

[ellsworb]

+1 for Quick and Easy Wash. . Go to any RV store. . they'll have it. Seriously, pro detailers have been using it for YEARS for good reason.

 

[DemBones]

Its easy with my job. I mill/repave streets in NYC area.

End of the day me and coworkers pull up to the firehydrant
remove the suicide nozzle off the connected hose and let a
waterfall amount of water rinse the suds.

Then to dry use the air from an construction air compressor to blow dry :bigok:

 

[Cutupsum]

I am in a similar situation but I will use a self wash place and take my own bucket and supply and jsut use the rinse cycle. Do to the recycled water i make sure I have two large towles to dry once I rinse and then drive up the street and blow off any left over before drying wtih my other towel.. My other option is Ihave a friend who lives in a complex with its own car wash bay--I have the entry code to get in the gate and I will go in the evenings and wash there sometime. Apt complex's are usually large so no one really knows who lives there and who doesn't.