Flash Home Car Wash System-Any good?

*!*HIBS*!*

gcn504 wrote:

I use one and find it very good. I haven't spotted any refills (car wash fluid) - de-ionised water etc. So if any one knows where you can get them please let me know.

I have seen you can get de-ionised water from maybe big Tescos stores (car section), or check out Wal Mart/Asda stores in the car section, or maybe check out a local car supplies shop if you have one in your area (these might be more expensive than the supermarkets). De-ionised water, I think its basically just filtered tap water (bit similar to the Dasani saga, "filtered" spring water. Depending on where you live and if you pay by meter, it might be cheaper to buy the de-ionised water from the shops, otherwise use the cold tap, saving you comparing prices and leg work.
:beer:

LesD wrote:

I'm still trying to work out if the 'girl next door' had a Flash car wash system or an avatar like that!!!

Me too!! :j Maybe both :rotfl:

stolt

had one of these since last summer and I think it really is good.... only had to buy some more shampoo on saturday because with all the dirt on the road in thw winter I've hadto wash the car more. Halfords sell the shampoo and filters, but also robert dyas and woolworths although I've never seen a decent deal on them.

I also tried once to get round buying the expensive shampoo and put turtle wash shampoo. it clean everthing nice, just when it come to drying i had problems.... I think the shampoo has something in it that works in conjunction with the filter water.

oh yeah i also clean the house windows with it aswell..

LesD

I've always found the description 'wetting agent' funny when applied to the rinse aid used by photographers and in dishwashers. But it is something designed to 'reduce the surface tension' and speed up drying times and quality.

Used to use it (before getting boring - and rich!!! - and going to the car wash) and it seemed to work. Might be worth a try if you want to use cheaper shampoo.

stolt

Where woudl you put it though, because the filter is under the gun so to speak, so would you have to empty the chamber of shampoo and put the rinse aid in there..

trigger_mike

I paid £25 for this when it first came out about a year ago, works well, but i still car'nt understand washing a car without hot water, surely you need warm water to get the dirt off?

royalsteve

stolt wrote:

had one of these since last summer and I think it really is good.... only had to buy some more shampoo on saturday because with all the dirt on the road in thw winter I've hadto wash the car more. Halfords sell the shampoo and filters, but also robert dyas and woolworths although I've never seen a decent deal on them.

I also tried once to get round buying the expensive shampoo and put turtle wash shampoo. it clean everthing nice, just when it come to drying i had problems.... I think the shampoo has something in it that works in conjunction with the filter water.

oh yeah i also clean the house windows with it aswell..

mind you turtle wash shampoo is dreadful stuff so not surprised you had probs....try autoglym or mer products instead...much more expensive but you need to use less and it works

royalsteve

LesD wrote:

I've always found the description 'wetting agent' funny when applied to the rinse aid used by photographers and in dishwashers. But it is something designed to 'reduce the surface tension' and speed up drying times and quality.

Used to use it (before getting boring - and rich!!! - and going to the car wash) and it seemed to work. Might be worth a try if you want to use cheaper shampoo.

hmmm...obviously dont value your car? using auto car washes damages paintwork...older ones use bristles which are only slightly softer than the bristles on a broom (artificial bristle type).

In fact, strange as it may now seem, I use a ducket and sponge.....I have a karcher jet wash which is a pain in the backside to set up......i could use the expensive rather impressive car wash (with cars pulled on a track) or jet wash some 1/4 mile away....but i can clean 2 cars with a bucket, sponge and a decent shampoo&polish in the time it takes to use any other method....and its much cleaner. The Karcher though is good for wheels

LesD

royalsteve wrote:

using auto car washes damages paintwork

We could debate this ad-nauseum!

The degree of damage depends on the age of the car. Modern clearcoat-over-base paint technologies reduce the effect of scratch damage substantially.

I can't remember having to pension-off a car because of paint damage! Mechanicals/electricals fail long before that.

Conversely, driveway-washing puts a vast range of chemicals into the storm-drainage system.

Incidentally, it's been calculated (admittedly by the International Car Wash Association!) that effective hand washing uses more water than a mechanical car wash. Ineffective hand washing is likely to lead to an even higher level of scratch damage due to dirt staying in the water!

And as for Steve Coppell, he didn't get us up when he was at Brentford - I hope he does better for you by the time the season's finished this year!!!

LesD

stolt wrote:

Where woudl you put it though, because the filter is under the gun so to speak, so would you have to empty the chamber of shampoo and put the rinse aid in there..

Sorry, don't know the specifics of this kit. Normally you'd put this stuff in the rinsing water.

trigger_mike

I think you find a car wash leaves very fine scratches on the paintwork which not only need poilshing out but also can sometimes pull off parts like aerials and spoilers, i remember when i was working in bodywork having a few cars come in needing boot spoilers replacing due being pulled off by car washes.