Man, I’ve been washing cars at these DIY bays for over 15 years now. Started when I was broke in college, kept at it even after I could afford those fancy automatic washes. There’s something satisfying about doing it yourself, y’know?
Let me walk you through this—not the sanitized version you’d find in some manual, but how it actually goes down.
Before You Even Leave Home
First things first: empty your car of all the junk. Those receipts stuffed in cup holders? The gym clothes festering in the back seat? Deal with ’em now. Nothing worse than scrambling to move stuff while your paid time ticks away. Been there, done that, wasted eight bucks.
Check your pockets for cash or quarters. Most places take cards now, but the older joints still run on quarters—and their card readers are sketchy at best. $10-15 should cover a thorough wash unless your ride looks like it just did the Baja 1000.
Pulling In (Without Looking Like an Idiot)
Getting to the wash, scope out which bay’s available. Don’t be that person who circles endlessly—just pick one and commit! Pull in straight (sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many folks can’t center their vehicle). Leave enough space to work around all sides—about three feet is the sweet spot.
Position your car so the driver’s side is closest to the payment machine and controls. Trust me, you don’t want to be running back and forth across wet concrete. I slipped once doing that dance and nearly cracked my head open on a vacuum station. Not my proudest moment.
The Payment Puzzle
Every wash has its quirks. Some take bills, others credit cards, many still use those ancient quarter machines. Whatever the system, you’re paying for TIME, not a “complete wash.” This isn’t McDonald’s with a set menu price.
Insert your payment. You’ll typically get something like 4-5 minutes for $5. Doesn’t sound like much, but if you’re efficient, it’s plenty. I’ve got my routine down to where I can wash my F-150 thoroughly in under 8 minutes.
The Actual Washing: There’s a Method to This Madness
Here’s where most people screw up. They grab the pressure washer and start blasting away randomly. Wrong move! These machines typically have a dial or button system with different settings:
- Pre-soak/High-pressure rinse – Start here! Knock off the big chunks of dirt. Work top to bottom, keeping the nozzle about 12-18 inches away. Any closer on an older car and you might take paint with that caked-on bug splatter.
- Soap/Detergent – After the initial rinse, switch to soap. Again, top to bottom, making sure to get those neglected spots: behind the license plate, around door handles, those wheel wells where winter salt loves to hide. Let it sit for like 30 seconds if your car’s filthy—gives the detergent time to work its magic.
- Scrub brush – Controversial! Some detailers would rather eat glass than use the bay’s brush (can trap grit from previous users). If you’re picky, bring your own microfiber mitt. Me? I use the brush for tires and wheels only. Never on paint.
- Rinse – Back to high pressure. Be methodical—left to right, top to bottom. Missing spots means water spots when it dries.
- Wax – Optional, but worth it. Creates that water-beading effect and adds protection. Don’t waste it on a filthy car though—that’s like putting cologne on without showering.
The Drying Dilemma
Your options:
- Drive around like a maniac hoping wind-drying works (it doesn’t)
- Bring microfiber towels from home (smart move)
- Use the air dryer if the place has one (usually costs extra)
I keep a stack of old bath towels in my trunk just for this. Not fancy, but effective. Start with the windows and mirrors, then hit the body panels. Leave the lower areas for last since they’re dirtiest.
Some Hard-Earned Wisdom
Don’t wash when it’s below freezing unless you enjoy car doors frozen shut. Been there—had to crawl through my window to get home once.
Sunday mornings are ghostly quiet at most washes. Saturday afternoons? Absolute madhouses.
If the foam isn’t coming out right or the pressure seems weak, move to another bay instead of wasting your money. Some owners maintain their equipment better than others.
Keep an old credit card in your glove box to scrape off stubborn bugs from the windshield. Works better than those expensive “bug removers” they try to sell you.
At the end of the day, a DIY wash isn’t just cheaper—it’s better for your car if done right. Those automatic brushes? They’re basically giant brillo pads spinning at 60mph. No thanks.
Now get out there and get sudsy! Your ride deserves better than driving around looking like a dirt farm on wheels.