Hello San Diego

IL8Apex · 07-13-2013, 11:08 AM

Just moved to San Diego from the Bay Area. I have always washed my own cars, but now renting an apartment waiting for the right home to show up. No place to wash cars in my complex.

Looking for recommendations for good hand-wash places. Even one of those self-wash places would be OK, but usually they're located in less savory areas.

Right now located in Carmel Valley area.

PandaM3 · 07-13-2013, 02:30 PM

If you still want to wash yourself... You have 2 very good options
1) pick up a Rinseless wash like Optimum No Rinse Wash and wax or Chemical guys Eco wash; use with a two bucket system and grit guards; blot dry and top off with a detail spray to act as a drying agent...

2) or get a pump sprayer; fill it with a waterless wash such as meguiars or chemical guys ecosmart; and a bunch of plush/ thick microfiber towels to spread the product and a bunch of fine microfiber towel to buff

For wheels I've found that rinsing the wheels with water from a pump sprayer then hitting it with a wheel cleaner like meguiars all wheel cleaner, let it sit, agitate with a brush, then use the water filled pump sprayer to rinse

Btw there is a chemical guys in San Diego where you can get all of this.

Jremmy · 07-13-2013, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IL8Apex

Just moved to San Diego from the Bay Area. I have always washed my own cars, but now renting an apartment waiting for the right home to show up. No place to wash cars in my complex.

Looking for recommendations for good hand-wash places. Even one of those self-wash places would be OK, but usually they're located in less savory areas.

Right now located in Carmel Valley area.

Welcome to SD!

Before I got completely set up at home to do my own washes, I used to take my M to La Jolla Car Wash in north PB on Turquoise. $20 for a hand wash and they do an impeccable job (even on the ZCP wheels).
You're welcome to come down to crown point and use my driveway/cul de sac if you prefer as well...I bought way too many gallons of sonax wheel cleaner months ago and have been trying to use it up.

Ricfutures · 07-14-2013, 02:19 AM

Welcome! This is where I go since i've moved down here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-charli...e%20car%20wash

I'll keep an eye out for your ride.

rjd598 · 07-14-2013, 02:43 AM

Live in Carmel valley as well! I'm a detail nerd so for I would say go to this self serve car wash in pacific beach called spot free rinse. Great price and the spot free rinse works. If you want a proper detail done message me and I'll give you my detailers info

Hujan · 07-14-2013, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricfutures

Welcome! This is where I go since i've moved down here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-charli...e%20car%20wash

I'll keep an eye out for your ride.

Thanks for posting this. I live in Poway so that place is not to far from me. I like to do my own two-bucket wash but it's nice to know there's a good place nearby if I'm ever too tired to do it myself.

Also, rjd598, I'd love to hear who you recommend for a detailer.

(Full disclosure: I currently have a mere Z4 35i. Working on getting an M3 and joining the club as soon as I can.)

IL8Apex · 07-14-2013, 06:20 PM

Thanks, guys! Excited to be down in SoCal and maybe we can plan a SD meet sometime.

rjd598, looks like we have the same stable of cars. My other is an E36 M3 as well.

JEllis · 07-14-2013, 07:58 PM

I am in SD. I usually wash my car in my driveway but I have used the self serve place in Pacific Beach as well. I even bring a mitt with me while I am washing. Afterwards there is a good area to pull the car into to dry. Also, it would be a good area to to apply a coat of duragloss or Griots no rinse car wash when your drying.

As a side note, I have used Optimum No Rinse wash as well with the two bucket method. Results are very good.

Jason

spr · 07-16-2013, 11:39 AM

I used to go to the self washes then I got all the stuff to detail at home. I am lazy now since I moved back DT from having a house in Encinitas. I go to Pearl car wash in LJ. They do a good job and I don't have to worry about scratches. I do the basic wash and wheel detail.

IrishCoffee · 07-17-2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEllis

I am in SD. I usually wash my car in my driveway but I have used the self serve place in Pacific Beach as well. I even bring a mitt with me while I am washing. Afterwards there is a good area to pull the car into to dry. Also, it would be a good area to to apply a coat of duragloss or Griots no rinse car wash when your drying.

As a side note, I have used Optimum No Rinse wash as well with the two bucket method. Results are very good.

Jason

I go there every couple of weeks to wash mine. It's only a block from my house though, so it's an easy decision for me. $5 in tokens should buy you enough time. Bring your own waffle towels to dry and whatever else you want to clean wheels, windows etc.

Jremmy · 07-17-2013, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishCoffee

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEllis

I am in SD. I usually wash my car in my driveway but I have used the self serve place in Pacific Beach as well. I even bring a mitt with me while I am washing. Afterwards there is a good area to pull the car into to dry. Also, it would be a good area to to apply a coat of duragloss or Griots no rinse car wash when your drying.

As a side note, I have used Optimum No Rinse wash as well with the two bucket method. Results are very good.

Jason

I go there every couple of weeks to wash mine. It's only a block from my house though, so it's an easy decision for me. $5 in tokens should buy you enough time. Bring your own waffle towels to dry and whatever else you want to clean wheels, windows etc.

Did you move? I saw a MR e92 w black ZCP style rims parked around the corner from my house on Lamont and PB drive last week. Car looked pristine!

IrishCoffee · 07-19-2013, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jremmy

Did you move? I saw a MR e92 w black ZCP style rims parked around the corner from my house on Lamont and PB drive last week. Car looked pristine!

Ah yeah that was probably me. I was looking at a property over there actually. I think it was Monday last week.

I'm over in that area sometimes though. My GF has a plot at the community garden so I stop by sometimes and water it.

Glad the car was looking good! Thanks!

Jremmy · 07-19-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishCoffee

Ah yeah that was probably me. I was looking at a property over there actually. I think it was Monday last week.

I'm over in that area sometimes though. My GF has a plot at the community garden so I stop by sometimes and water it.

Glad the car was looking good! Thanks!

Nice! Well, when you're over in the area, if you wanna save yourself the hassle of using the public wash, you're always more than welcome to use my drive way and power washer/foam cannon to wash your ride.

SDPRT · 07-23-2013, 08:04 PM

So when is a meet? All these SD folks and no fun yet.

07-13-2013, 11:08 AM	#1
IL8Apex Private First Class 12 Rep 175 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3, 1999 E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (7)	Hello San Diego - Carwashes Just moved to San Diego from the Bay Area. I have always washed my own cars, but now renting an apartment waiting for the right home to show up. No place to wash cars in my complex. Looking for recommendations for good hand-wash places. Even one of those self-wash places would be OK, but usually they're located in less savory areas. Right now located in Carmel Valley area. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 / DCT / AW / Black Extended / Akrapovic Evolution / BPM Engine+DCT Tune / Dinan Stage I + Camber Plates / HRE C20 / Valentine One by Alekshop
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07-13-2013, 02:30 PM	#2
PandaM3 Captain 470 Rep 988 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (6)	If you still want to wash yourself... You have 2 very good options 1) pick up a Rinseless wash like Optimum No Rinse Wash and wax or Chemical guys Eco wash; use with a two bucket system and grit guards; blot dry and top off with a detail spray to act as a drying agent... 2) or get a pump sprayer; fill it with a waterless wash such as meguiars or chemical guys ecosmart; and a bunch of plush/ thick microfiber towels to spread the product and a bunch of fine microfiber towel to buff For wheels I've found that rinsing the wheels with water from a pump sprayer then hitting it with a wheel cleaner like meguiars all wheel cleaner, let it sit, agitate with a brush, then use the water filled pump sprayer to rinse Btw there is a chemical guys in San Diego where you can get all of this.
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07-14-2013, 02:19 AM	#4
Ricfutures Captain 150 Rep 659 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Welcome! This is where I go since i've moved down here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-charli...e%20car%20wash I'll keep an eye out for your ride. __________________ F97 X3M F80 M3 (Sold) E90 M3 (Sold) EB M235i (Sold) E92 M3 (Sold)
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07-14-2013, 02:43 AM	#5
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Live in Carmel valley as well! I'm a detail nerd so for I would say go to this self serve car wash in pacific beach called spot free rinse. Great price and the spot free rinse works. If you want a proper detail done message me and I'll give you my detailers info
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07-14-2013, 06:20 PM	#7
IL8Apex Private First Class 12 Rep 175 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3, 1999 E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (7)	Thanks, guys! Excited to be down in SoCal and maybe we can plan a SD meet sometime. rjd598, looks like we have the same stable of cars. My other is an E36 M3 as well. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 / DCT / AW / Black Extended / Akrapovic Evolution / BPM Engine+DCT Tune / Dinan Stage I + Camber Plates / HRE C20 / Valentine One by Alekshop
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07-14-2013, 07:58 PM	#8
JEllis Major General 532 Rep 5,498 Posts Drives: E36 M3, E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth iTrader: (4)	I am in SD. I usually wash my car in my driveway but I have used the self serve place in Pacific Beach as well. I even bring a mitt with me while I am washing. Afterwards there is a good area to pull the car into to dry. Also, it would be a good area to to apply a coat of duragloss or Griots no rinse car wash when your drying. As a side note, I have used Optimum No Rinse wash as well with the two bucket method. Results are very good. Jason __________________ Instagram: jellismotorwerks
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07-16-2013, 11:39 AM	#9
spr Major 93 Rep 1,089 Posts Drives: F80 M3; e92 ESS650+ M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	I used to go to the self washes then I got all the stuff to detail at home. I am lazy now since I moved back DT from having a house in Encinitas. I go to Pearl car wash in LJ. They do a good job and I don't have to worry about scratches. I do the basic wash and wheel detail.
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07-23-2013, 08:04 PM	#14
SDPRT Lieutenant 58 Rep 554 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Space Gray/MT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 e92 [0.00]	So when is a meet? All these SD folks and no fun yet. __________________ RPI GTc/ RPI X-Pipe/DINAN Stage2/KWV3/18" BC Forged RS41/Mode Carbon V2 GTS/RPI AF + Red Scoops/Lux Angel Eyes.
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