Goin to college from September to May, Need cleaning advice!

[Anthony]

Hey,
I have a question that I hope someone can help me with. I got my Tahoe after last semester was over and have been home (with water hose access) all summer and completely wash my Tahoe once a week. I am going to college on Sept. 1st and will be there until May..So my question is:

With no water hose access, no garage, or cleaning tools How do i keep my 'Hoe clean? I know there is a car wash about 10 minutes from my Dorm room, but they never really "clean" as well as I would by doing it at home with a hose and cleaning supplies. Any methods/soaps/tools you recommend I can buy to make my Tahoe clean? Maybe something I can use at car wash to really help?

Thanks!

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

i used to take my bucket and cleaning supplies late in the evening to the car wash and plunk my first dollar in to fill the bucket and rinse off the truck...then hand wash the entire vehicle and plunk my next dollar in to rinse it. i went late in the evening because there were no attendants to harrass me for hand washing. i continue to do it now when i just don't feel like pulling out the hose.

 

[Anthony]

i used to take my bucket and cleaning supplies late in the evening to the car wash and plunk my first dollar in to fill the bucket and rinse off the truck...then hand wash the entire vehicle and plunk my next dollar in to rinse it. i went late in the evening because there were no attendants to harrass me for hand washing. i continue to do it now when i just don't feel like pulling out the hose.

SOunds good but....I dont know if I want to carry a bucket in my car lol. My subs (2 alpine Type R's) take up the back of the car now... haha

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

SOunds good but....I dont know if I want to carry a bucket in my car lol. My subs (2 alpine Type R's) take up the back of the car now... haha

the bucket doesn't stay in the ride...I kept it in my closet at my dorm! and it never had water/suds in the bucket when it was in the ride. i even chamoised the bucket dry before putting it back in the truck...lol. I was able to carry my necessities in the bucket to and from the cw.

 

[nc6600]

http://www.glimmerglassdetailing.com/opnorionr.html
good stuff.

 

[Modded]

I thought about that, the local car quarter wash with the wand and brush with selectable modes and a few tools from WalMart solved that. I went from doing its every week to every two or three weeks though. Just depends on the drityness....

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

I thought about that, the local car quarter wash with the wand and brush with selectable modes and a few tools from WalMart solved that. I went from doing its every week to every two or three weeks though. Just depends on the drityness....

be careful with a brush from those car washes. remember that others that don't care for their vehicles the way we do will use it on grease and the ground...lol...dirty diapers...ok i made that part up...lol Just be careful if you plan to touch that brush to your paint...I'd recommend against it.

 

[nc6600]

I thought about that, the local car quarter wash with the wand and brush with selectable modes and a few tools from WalMart solved that. I went from doing its every week to every two or three weeks though. Just depends on the drityness....

Your paint is probably all scratched to hell now, people put those brushes on the ground and everything dude. I would never let one near any of my cars.

 

[JennaBear]

I would suggest putting a nice coat of wax on before heading out, then hitting it with a detail spray 1-2 times a week and a waterless car wash when it is really dirty. I hear a California car duster goes a long way as well.

 

[05Yukon]

waterless car wash when it is really dirty.

Did you mean a touchless car wash?

 

[JennaBear]

No, waterless like this:

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-439-new-adams-waterless-car-wash-combo.aspx

 

[tast101]

Your paint is probably all scratched to hell now, people put those brushes on the ground and everything dude. I would never let one near any of my cars.

Word, brushes are only for wheels, never for the paint.

 

[NJ04HOE]

I would suggest putting a nice coat of wax on before heading out, then hitting it with a detail spray 1-2 times a week and a waterless car wash when it is really dirty. I hear a California car duster goes a long way as well.

that is exactly what I was going to say,
just try to do a full detail before you leave (clay bar, wax, polish etc.) so you can try to have some protection on your paint. Oh yeah and the california duster actually does work I didn't use it much when I first bought it (6-7 yrs ago) but now that I don't seem to have as much time for constant washing I use it more now.

 

[tast101]

And a car cover if your gonna be parked in the open, and not going to be constantly getting in and out.

 

[nc6600]

And a car cover if your gonna be parked in the open, and not going to be constantly getting in and out.

If you get a cover make sure you keep the truck really clean, as they rub on the paint when the wind blows and if there is any grit it will scratch the finish. I do not like them for that reason.

 

[OKLAGMCRUISER]

If you get a cover make sure you keep the truck really clean, as they rub on the paint when the wind blows and if there is any grit it will scratch the finish. I do not like them for that reason.

word...i'd only cover if i was storing in a garage for long periods.

 

[Modded]

Your paint is probably all scratched to hell now, people put those brushes on the ground and everything dude. I would never let one near any of my cars.

Mybad guys I forgt to mention that I take along a bucket with ICE Auto soap and microfiber, spray the bucket full of water (ehich turns to soap) then start.
Common, I would never use that brush, I don't even go to car washes/detailers with the washes with the bristles/brushes. Scared they will screw up my paint so I go to Exxon High pressure contactless ones.

 

[nc6600]

Mybad guys I forgt to mention that I take along a bucket with ICE Auto soap and microfiber, spray the bucket full of water (ehich turns to soap) then start.
Common, I would never use that brush, I don't even go to car washes/detailers with the washes with the bristles/brushes. Scared they will screw up my paint so I go to Exxon High pressure contactless ones.

I hope you wax afterwards, the detergent in those touchless washes is pretty harsh.

 

[Modded]

Actually I wax only every 4 months but I can tell you my Exxon wahes and hand work looks far better than my brothers old Esky which was always locally detailed.
I know for a fact those brustle washes can do a number on paint as people rarely check them for crap.

 

[992door]

become friends with someone that lives in a house