Car Cleaning (Flat Living)

[RJ595]

Afternoon Everyone,

I should probably introduce myself first - A couple of months ago I finally bought myself a Deep Sea Blue face lifted M Sport E89. Shes a beauty but it has provided me with an unfortunate problem. I live in a top floor flat with no outside water tap, which means I struggle to keep her clean and the 180 mile round trip to my parents house isn't a sustainable option!

I have been considering a battery powered jet wash for the pre wash and rinse but don't know if its really worth the money. I'm not sure if the battery will last long enough, or how much water would be needed. Has anyone used one of these type of products to clean their car? Or got any alternative car cleaning methods when living in a flat?

Thanks in advance

[Nictrix]

When I stayed in a flat I had quite a few buckets and would use one for washing the car and the others for throwing over it to rinse it off.
After that just the usual drying towels.
If its really dirty take it to a jet wash and blast the excess off and then go home and hand wash it.
You could ask the person in the ground floor flat to get an outside tap fitted and you would pay for it.

[Chris_D]

I have facilities for washing at both my UK place and here in Holland but here in clogland I elect to drive to the local carwash where they have stalls for pressure washing.
I just take 2 buckets and washing acutrements and fill the buckets via the wash lance, then handwash and use the pressure rinse lance.
€2 a wash; €1 to fill the buckets and €1 to rinse and a 5 minute drive each way.
Sometimes I push the boat out and pay an extra euro to pre-foam the car.

Viable option for you?

[Deepseaskateboard]

Get it washed by a hand carwash, then detail afterwards.

[Mr Tidy]

Hi and welcome to the forum OP.

Going somewhere with a pressure washer sounds like a good idea, if you don't fancy letting a hand carwash loose on it!

Anyway, don't forget the photos of your car!

It's the law on here.

[Sgreen]

Get it washed by a hand carwash, then detail afterwards.

Go and wash your mouth out with soapy water, might as well use a Brillo pad!

[Sgreen]

After washing with a bucket and suds, park your car under your window and throw a bucket of water from there, that should rinse it!

[bigosean]

I have a battery powered jet wash (can’t remember the brand but can get it if needed) and it’s a fantastic bit of kit and sounds like it would work perfectly for you. I probably use mine once or twice a month in the summer and very rarely charge it, I bet it’s been 3/4 months since it’s last charge. Also if needed you can power from a 12v socket. When filled up it’ll be more than enough to rinse off the car and wheels both before and after washing . You can pick them up for around £100, I’d say it’d be well worth it for you

[bigosean]

I have a battery powered jet wash (can’t remember the brand but can get it if needed) and it’s a fantastic bit of kit and sounds like it would work perfectly for you. I probably use mine once or twice a month in the summer and very rarely charge it, I bet it’s been 3/4 months since it’s last charge. Also if needed you can power from a 12v socket. When filled up it’ll be more than enough to rinse off the car and wheels both before and after washing . You can pick them up for around £100, I’d say it’d be well worth it for you

Just checked and mine is a Sealey version. Found this one which looks identical and is a little cheaper... hope this helps

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mobi-v-17-porta ... 7412727005

[Chris_D]

Get it washed by a hand carwash, then detail afterwards.

Go and wash your mouth out with soapy water, might as well use a Brillo pad!

image.jpeg (27.27 KiB) Viewed 1540 times

[RJ595]

Just checked and mine is a Sealey version. Found this one which looks identical and is a little cheaper... hope this helps

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mobi-v-17-porta ... 7412727005

Ah this the sort of thing I was thinking of and a very helpful review from yourself. Is there a way to charge the battery via mains and not only 12v?

As for the suggestions to use a local pay based jet wash, I am not sure of one locally. My local supermarket has only just built a petrol station and from what I can tell they only have an air point. Downside of living in Woking!

Anyway, don't forget the photos of your car!

It's the law on here.

I tried when I first picked up my little baby and couldn't get it to work! What is the trick to posting a photo here?

[Deepseaskateboard]

Get it washed by a hand carwash, then detail afterwards.

Go and wash your mouth out with soapy water, might as well use a Brillo pad!

Bad experience?

Just find one which doesnt use squeegees.

[Mr Tidy]

I tried when I first picked up my little baby and couldn't get it to work! What is the trick to posting a photo here?

If you reply to a post, there is a tab below your reply on the left called "Add Files" - just click on that then Browse and add the photo(s).

[Marlon]

Welcome along - I'm in the same situation living wise, good old fashioned buckets of water does the job. However use a Mitt not a sponge or else all hell will break loose

[bigosean]

Just checked and mine is a Sealey version. Found this one which looks identical and is a little cheaper... hope this helps

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mobi-v-17-porta ... 7412727005

Ah this the sort of thing I was thinking of and a very helpful review from yourself. Is there a way to charge the battery via mains and not only 12v?

As for the suggestions to use a local pay based jet wash, I am not sure of one locally. My local supermarket has only just built a petrol station and from what I can tell they only have an air point. Downside of living in Woking!

Anyway, don't forget the photos of your car!

It's the law on here.

I tried when I first picked up my little baby and couldn't get it to work! What is the trick to posting a photo here?

Yes you can charge up in the house before you use it Mate