Oh, the filth!
 

I know, there are no excuses for behavior such as this, but all I can say is I took time out of the day yesterday to wash the A6, and since I wouldn't dare approach an auto wash (and my hose is frozen in a pile on the ground for the 400th straight year, which eliminates the possibility of me washing it at home in the 27 degree <I>heat</I>), I tried the power wash stations I usually do ... but the first one had all the bays blocked off. The next one had all but one bay blocked off, and that one wouldn't take any quarters. What can I say? Better luck today, I hope!

Starting with the "clean" 100CS (at the shop for a new battery, again)...

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/153/filth1.jpg">

And now a taste of just how dirty the A6 is... (the cars are the same color)

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/153/filth2.jpg">

Hmm, that 100CS sure is sparkling now isn't it?! ;)

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/153/filth3.jpg">

(Someone help me.)

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/153/filth4.jpg">

I didn't say this would be easy...

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/153/filth5.jpg">

I think I'll go hide for a while now.

Sorta off-thread...
 

How do you get your car clean at a power wash station?

Pure power washing gets mine cleanER but not clean. Buddy swears by the brush, but I'm not sure I can do it - even with his "powerwash the snot out of it first" trick. Best technique I've seen so far is the guy who brought his GF along to wash mitt the car behind his power wash pass. (Didn't figure the wife would approve of that technique - in either sense!)

Is there a trick that I'm missing?

(Yeah, after last time I iced the driveway in our 40-something degree warm spell - in full sunlight mind you, the foot came down! No more onsite washes until summer.)

Re: Sorta off-thread...
 

With a good coat of wax, I find power washers to work well. Even with out I think it's worth getting all the salt off. My wife is thinking about limiting me to a weekly car wash allowance. :-(

Booser 2.7

Here's what I do...
 

Preferred technique: Go to the powerwash station, and do a normal power wash... with the soap, but only use the minimum time ($1.50 or $1.75). Then I get out the bucket, and my favorite wash soap, and my wash mitt, fill the bucket with the power washer, etc, and hand wash it that way ... takes some time and results in FROZEN hands/limbs. Also, if there are cars waiting, I usually don't go with this method.

If I don't have the time to do the above, I do go to the brush. I first feel the bristles, visually inspect it, and for safety, I powerwash the brush head to clean it... so I first wet the car with the power washer, then switch to the brush with soap, and brush it... it's safer to get most of the dirt off first, though. Then I let time expire, and then start a new wash with just the power wash set to rinse.

Bare bones is the almost-useless straight up rinse... I do this when the car is SO dirty and I don't have 12 quarters to do the two cycle wash. Fortunately today, I do have 12 quarters. =)

Seems like always cars waiting :(
 

I've done pretty well with warm (40+) days - which we get not infrequently here - and a bucket full of hot tap water out in the sun. Hot water keeps hands unfrozen and do a nice normal hand wash. Warm CO sunshine keeps everybody happy.

Sadly the last episode of handwashing had the ground still oddly cold so I got a nice sheet of ice on the driveway. Boss was NOT amused (even though I did her car too), so I guess it's the power wash regimen for a while :(

Thanks for the tips!

And I was moaning @ washing the car yesterday in 50o in shorts AND a sweatshirt here in NorCal..

Geez, M...at least wash the taillight lenses!!!