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4am And I Just Got Back From The Coin-op...with An Idea!

gstephen

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gstephen Enthusiast

gstephen

Posted
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Down here in NC, they have alot of these coin-op self serve car bays. They supply a pressure gun, water, and a brush (no thanks). I like the convenience, but the water was full of minerals (spots) and the whole timer thing got me stressed. Then I got to thinking of how I am going to wash the truck when I get back to NY in the dead of winter. I think I might have a way. As I live in a cooperative apt, I am not able to use the hose outside. (I live with a bunch of tree-hugging hippie freaks; no offense to the hippies here) However, there is a hose right next to my parking spot in the garage downstairs. I fill up one of the rubbermaid 27 gal boxes with water from the garage; maybe two (setting it up in the bed with my two 5 gal buckets: one clean/one dirty). I get one of these pool cover pumps, I figure for what I want to do, 500 GPH is enough.($40) I already own a power inverter. I'll pick up a low-flow nozzle to control the water flow and a twenty foot foldable hose, and I park on the street and wash the truck the way I want to. Low and slow. No timer, no idiot using the same dirt crusted wash mitt. Anyone see a flaw in my idea? Has anyone tried this? Please let me know.

dsmazz Enthusiast

dsmazz

Posted
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27 gallons of water weighs about 225 pounds. So you'll need to put the tub in the bed of the truck before you fill it with water. As far as spotting goes, unless the water source is soft water, you may have spotting issues as well. Otherwise, give it a try. Sounds like an idea that might work, and might work pretty well.

gstephen Enthusiast

gstephen

Posted
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27 gallons of water weighs about 225 pounds. So you'll need to put the tub in the bed of the truck before you fill it with water. As far as spotting goes, unless the water source is soft water, you may have spotting issues as well. Otherwise, give it a try. Sounds like an idea that might work, and might work pretty well.

 

 

I stopped by a Lowe's today to see if it would work. While they had pumps, they were larger than needed. I'll pick one up at a pool supply store. I am also thinking about a filter/softener mounted to the tub if needed.

Rocco715 Enthusiast

Rocco715

Posted
Posted

Sounds like alot of work to wash your car in winter. I'd just use a touchless wash to get the salt off. Or personally my idea would be to get rid of the hippies!! :D

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
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Actually... I think it's a pretty darn inventive way to wash your truck ANYWHERE. Think about it. Get a 55 gallon plastic barrel, fill it in the bed, add your pump and washing supplies, drive to the park or anywhere else there is shade (and possible access to beer) and wash away! Take your drying towels and detailing equipment along and do a full detail anywhere the mood strikes you... Not bad!

 

EDIT: Spelling....

gstephen Enthusiast

gstephen

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I washed the truck when I got back to NY. It was d**n cold so I did it in a friends garage. Works great. Only problem was the pump runs continuously, so I stuck the nozzle in a 5 gallon bucket while I soaped up the truck (and the girl). I have pics, but they may be inappropriate to some.

  • 4 weeks later...
dietz4ibanez Senior Enthusiast

dietz4ibanez

Posted
Posted

Dang man you might as well go to like TSC Tractor Supply Company or a Landscaping Supply if they have those up there. And they have specialized water tanks. We usually use 250 gal tanks but they make many other sizes which is made special for the bed of a pick up. We put them in 2500 hd trucks though cause that would weigh like 2000 lbs.

 

While your at it you could start up a salt & destroy prevention car wash. There are guys here in NC that park there trucks/vans/suv's at office buildings or any place a lot of people work and people actually drop there cars off for them to wash and detail.

 

I am from the North too and I can remember how many times a week I always thought about washing my truck because of the salt.

 

Shoot I went up to Michigan for the holidays and I washed my truck up there like 4 times ans I still got rust spots on all my chrome!

overkill Enthusiast

overkill

Posted
Posted
I washed the truck when I got back to NY. It was d**n cold so I did it in a friends garage. Works great. Only problem was the pump runs continuously, so I stuck the nozzle in a 5 gallon bucket while I soaped up the truck (and the girl). I have pics, but they may be inappropriate to some.

 

Inappropriate? No way.... I dont know what your talking about... there is no such word in my vocabulary.

 

Your demonstrating proper truck washing techniques, right?

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