How do you wash a car with just one bucket of water?

[GH85Carrera]

In a few weeks I am coming to Monterey, CA along with over 1,200 registered Porsches.

Porsche Parade is going to be crazy.

I am told that at most we will get one bucket of water to wash our cars, and it might not even be that much! How can I wash a car with one bucket of water?

I am driving for two long days over 1,600 miles. The advice from PCA National is to wash my car before I come. Yea, that will help.

My question is are there any self car washes in Monterey? I am sure there are commercial car washes but I can't see running my 911 through one of them unless that is the ONLY option.

I have driven to 11 other Parades and only the Ft. Worth Parade 10 years ago did I avoid rain.

[dad911]

Pick up a few water cooler containers (5 gallons each) on the way.....

[GH85Carrera]

How do I get those into my 911 that is already packed with luggage?

[Tobra]

I do the wheels last

[MattKellett]

Griots waterless car wash might be an option.

[jyl]

For sure there are self wash places in Monterey and on the way there. Stop and wash the car thoroughly before you get to Parade, then just dust it off at the Parade.

[stomachmonkey]

Self Car Wash in Monterey, California with Reviews & Ratings - YP.com

[Paul_Heery]

I did a quick search on Google Maps for a self service car was in that area and came up with this

Marina Car Wash
209 Reindollar Ave
Marina, CA 93933

It looks to be about 9 miles up the coast. From the images on street view, it may be what you are looking for.

[sand_man]

I'm sure there is a way to use ONR (Optimum No Rinse) car wash and several clean and soft microfiber towels. Could also mix up some ONR in a spray bottle. But ideally, I like to use two buckets; one to contain the wash solution and one with clean water, both buckets with grit guards in the bottom. So in your case, maybe use the one bucket of clean water to keep your wash mitt or microfibers clean and then use the spray bottle to apply the solution. Then dry with clean microfibers as you go.

Video is a little long and embedding was disabled, but something like this:
How to: Washing with ONR (Optimum No-Rinse) in winter (or anywhere/anytime) - YouTube

[sand_man]

But the self serve car wash would certainly do it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by sand_man

I'm sure there is a way to use ONR (Optimum No Rinse) car wash and several clean and soft microfiber towels. Could also mix up some ONR in a spray bottle. But ideally, I like to use two buckets; one to contain the wash solution and one with clean water, both buckets with grit guards in the bottom. So in your case, maybe use the one bucket of clean water to keep your wash mitt or microfibers clean and then use the spray bottle to apply the solution. Then dry with clean microfibers as you go.

Video is a little long and embedding was disabled, but something like this:
How to: Washing with ONR (Optimum No-Rinse) in winter (or anywhere/anytime) - YouTube

This. Incredible product, I haven't washed my cars with a hose since I bought it. For really nasty grime you could hit the car wash to blast off the worst, then use ONR at the Parade. I bought mine at Autogeek.net, which is a great company for detailing stuff.

[recycled sixtie]

Last February we rented a Toyota Corolla(navy blue I think) and after one week of use I was thinking of taking it to the car wash. This was in Palm Springs . I could not justify doing it as it stayed so clean in the desert environment. That is one advantage of living in California....
G.

[911SauCy]

If your car is very well detailed to begin with, there is little more than a dust-off with your quick detailing spray of choice.

Even if you get rained on

[livi]

Perhaps its a BIG AMERICAN bucket?

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

I did a quick search on Google Maps for a self service car was in that area and came up with this

Marina Car Wash
209 Reindollar Ave
Marina, CA 93933

It looks to be about 9 miles up the coast. From the images on street view, it may be what you are looking for.

Thanks!

I suspect I will be visiting this place.

After driving "only" 1,200 miles to Salt Lake City my car was filthy and way beyond what I would even try one on the waterless car wash products.






It takes soap AND water to get that grime off without damage to the paint.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

If your car is very well detailed to begin with, there is little more than a dust-off with your quick detailing spray of choice.

Even if you get rained on

You have not done any long multi state road trips have you? My car was completely slimed with road grime and grit. We drove for several hours in drizzle and rain on the highways.

On the trip to Salt Lake City we drove through areas of open range in the Dinosaur National Park. The cows were just standing in the road and doing what cows do. I had cow crap on my car after that. Try driving through cow crap and not get it on the car.

The car will get a fresh coat of wax just before and after the trip. The paint is very nice but road grime for 1,600 miles and thousands of dead bugs don't come off without some water.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by livi

Perhaps its a BIG AMERICAN bucket?

Now that's funny right there.

Nice thing about having a car built for go and not for show is that some windex, a few rags, and at most some simple green are all it takes to make the car as clean as it needs to be.

For my drive it will most likely be mostly salt (taking the coast route) that I will need to wash off, with a few bugs. But I'm only going a little more than a 1/10th of the distance you are.

[Scott Douglas]

Glen - Yeah, that's a three bucket job at least. BTDT.
Are you bringing a bucket with you?
I'd put two coats of wax on if I were you. Bugs will be tough to get off if left on thru heat etc.

[scottmandue]

I use one bucket of soapy water... however I hose the car down before to knock off the heavy dirt and after to rinse.

I agree the self serve car wash probably is best to get your car "show" clean.

PS, To add I would let you wash the car at my house but I'm in Los Angeles

[masraum]

Originally Posted by livi

Perhaps its a BIG AMERICAN bucket?

That's really only useful if it's a bucket from Texas.