Delaware was today placed under voluntary water restrictions, meaning you shouldn't wash your car, or water your lawn, etc. etc.

So what do you guys who have been under such restrictions recommend? As I understand it, the mandatory restrictions are soon to follow.

The dealer suggested I go to one of those places where you rent a high-power water hose that charges by the 3 minute segment, but be careful to stay far away as you use it. That still seems risky. What should I do?

I'm listening.

Chuck

Get a light duty electric power washer. They use very little water to wash your car. It is amazing how little, in fact. I am talking about the ones that could only hurt your car if you put the an inch away with the wrong nozzle.

Again...the moderate power 1500-1800psi models are perfect for washing a car unless you are a complete buffoon. Test it by blasting your bare foot to gauge how close you can get to your car with the nozzle tip.


Now the folks who folks who use shrew-skin chamois' exclusively and would never consider anything but their own saliva as a cleaning agent can howl about pressure washers. LOL.

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2007 Speed Yellow Cayman GT 2.7 (retired)
2008 Guards Red Cayman GT 3.4
"Carpe Cayman"

Most of North Carolina is under mandatory water restrictions. We cannot water our lawns or wash our cars. In the next phase – which is coming – we will not be able to wash our cars at the “quarter car wash”. Car washes that do not recycle water will be closed down. So . . . . I keep my cars looking good with Griot’s Speed Shine. (I’ve gone through a whole bottle in two months.)
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Porsche Cayman 2.7
Mercedes E320 Bluetec
Ducati Paul Smart LE
BMW R1200GS

There are waterless car washes, like Freedom Waterless Car Wash. I have never used it, but have read some reviews. It doesn't contain wax.

I did come across this video of a high-end detail guy. It's a little above what I do!

The Ultimate Car Wash

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Cayman S - a portable amusement park

- 2006 Cayman S
- 2003 Dakota SXT
- 1963 Studebaker Avanti, R2, 4-Speed
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LL

I believe that the wax is zymöl Vintage Gzale. I have 3 ounces! Well I had 3 ounces. I'm down to about 2 1/2 ounces now. One reason that it is so expensive is that you buy it for a "lifetime". (Detailers are excluded from this offer.)

There is a lengthy thread on this subject from about 2 months ago. The coin operated car wash places are OK but like the dealer said keep your distance from the surface. Whatever you do ..DO NOT...repeat.. DO NOT use the soap or soak cycle. The soap that they use is some kind of awful s--- from another planet and it will ruin your wax big time.Start with the setting on rinse and run it until the water is clear. You have to use a bucket with your soap if allowed or just wash with water. I use I Griots microfiber duster to remove loose dirt and follow with Griot's Speed shine sprayed directly on the car and removed with a damp Griot's microfiber towel. Not the best but works pretty well in the absense of water for washing. Does not appear to dammage or scratch the painted surfaces. I use a dirty microfiber towel soaked with speed shine for the rims and the wheel wells. Groits rubber cleaner for the tires followed with Groits long lasting tire dressing. I would reccomend a heavy coat of PS-21 or your favorite carnuba wax ASAP. Not the best routine but it will get you by for now.

When I lived in FL they banned car washing during water restrictions, but you could water your lawn in the early AM on certain days. My car would just happen to be on the lawn when I'd be watering the lawn with my garden hose. Don't mind the bucket full of soap

Thanks to all who replied. These were great suggestions. I'll be ordering Griot's Speed Shine....and NoRinseWash& Shine tomorrow.

I'll probably drive down the Do-It-Yourself Quarter wash....I'll take my old Toyota down first to test it out. When I take the Cayman down, I'll definitely use my own car shampoo. I need to learn how to use the hose so none of their car wash comes out.

One question about those Do-It-Yourself washes. I do want to do a mid to late December washing before putting the car to bed for the winter. Can you safely wash the car when the temperature is cold? I presume the water is cold too at those places. Is there any cut-off for cold temperatures?

Be very careful when washing your car when the temp is freezing. I've seen a bunch of scratched cars from ice while drying. That said I have to wash all winter if I want the mud off but I make sure there is no ice on the paint.

This is a real pain in the arse. My car hasn't been washed in two weeks and I'm freakin about it as well. I use Griots speed shine between but there is a limit. Time to wash. I'm thinkin' 5 am.

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Have you gotten any rain this week? I live in the Boone area and it has rained for three straight days - of course that doesn't make up for a drought summer but it helps.