Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

[T-Dubbs]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

gas king / centex midnapore ftw, go at night time as mentioned above, its empty and you can wash with a mit and dry it nicely inside the warm bay.

summer time hand wash at home only of course.

+3

[Kor]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

"Centex in Tuxedo on Centre St and 23 Ave" is actually called Laser Wash I think. The Centrex is the gas station next door. Not sure that they are owned by the same person.

That's my favorite car wash though. Probably the best one near downtown or the inner city.

WORST is Bridgeland car wash. Its basically a broken down filthy hole in the ground where you're likely to get harassed by drunken homeless while the machines take your money and (if they work at all) they spray out muddy water.

[darkmanCANADA]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

^^^ true about Bridgeland car wash. Only go there if I need a quick rinse of the beater truck.

[Benjamin]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

For those that wash their cars in the driveway in Calgry, be warned you can get a massive fine. Don't matter if the soap is bio or not, somebody complains or bylaw sees you the fine is in the thousands of dollars.

In terms of the different car washes, most all use the same soap, the only difference is the amount and if they use soft water. Soft water will allow the soap to work better as well as the wax and rinse option. Typically the automatic car washes won't come close in terms of quality due to some dirt needing a brush, they should be used when time is tight and quality is not as big of a concern. Also check to see what type of brush you are using in the self wash. If it's a blue bristle brush (Nylon) these are harder on paint, if its a softer brush (Hogs hair) these are way better to keep your finish looking good.

[Danaldson]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

Also check to see what type of brush you are using in the self wash. If it's a blue bristle brush (Nylon) these are harder on paint, if its a softer brush (Hogs hair) these are way better to keep your finish looking good.

NEVER EVER EVER EVER VERV EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER VERV EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER VERV EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER VERV EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER VERV EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER USE THE BRUSH AT A CASR WASH..... EVER.... seriouslyy.....

[darkmanCANADA]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

For those that wash their cars in the driveway in Calgry, be warned you can get a massive fine. Don't matter if the soap is bio or not, somebody complains or bylaw sees you the fine is in the thousands of dollars.

In terms of the different car washes, most all use the same soap, the only difference is the amount and if they use soft water. Soft water will allow the soap to work better as well as the wax and rinse option. Typically the automatic car washes won't come close in terms of quality due to some dirt needing a brush, they should be used when time is tight and quality is not as big of a concern. Also check to see what type of brush you are using in the self wash. If it's a blue bristle brush (Nylon) these are harder on paint, if its a softer brush (Hogs hair) these are way better to keep your finish looking good.

Found the bylaw page: http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/ABS/Pages.../Drainage.aspx

Fines for violations of these regulations range between $75 and $3,000 for the first offence.

So does this mean that I can't even rinse off the driveway when I mow the lawn?

[CGY_GTI]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

Centrex in Midnapore or Shell in Deer Run for me. The Shell isn't quite as good as the Centrex but it's closest to me so I usually go there. I never wash my car at home... The most I'll do is dry it off.

A little off topic, but why would your rinse your driveway after you mow your lawn? A broom works too and it doesn't waste water

[boostedmk4]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

Quick tip

If your going to use the brush at the car wash take the pressure washer to the brush first to get the grit thats on it off. I don't all the time. I always use the brush. And my jeep is black. Never had a issue

[Bmarc]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

I'll have to check out Centrex in Midnapore as it is pretty close to me. But in the summer I usually wash in my driveway, most of my neighbours do so I'm not concerned about any of them calling bylaw on me. Also live on a cul-de-sac so no traffic just driving by.

That bylaw is ridiculous though. They will enforce the no washing your car in your driveway, even with a biodegradable soap. Yet there is no car inspections, so your car can leak every oz of fluid it has in it all over the road. This all goes into the same sewers, and nothing happens. When it rains here the parking lots and roads are covered in a sheen of oil.

[Mcrow]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

Quick tip

If your going to use the brush at the car wash take the pressure washer to the brush first to get the grit thats on it off. I don't all the time. I always use the brush. And my jeep is black. Never had a issue

I do the same, it's fine.

[Kg810]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

For those that wash their cars in the driveway in Calgry, be warned you can get a massive fine. Don't matter if the soap is bio or not, somebody complains or bylaw sees you the fine is in the thousands of dollars.

Indeed. I would suggest washing it super early in the morning while everyone is still sleeping or very late in the night.

[Kane]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

I really liked the one just off 114 ave se between Barlow and Douglasdale. I like going late at night and doing my thing.

Chaperal is ok but I like the 114th car was a bit better.

I also wash my car at my works wash bay. Works really good, higher pressure and hotter temps. I keep my distance using it most times.

Auto car washes I have avoided ever since I first lowered my golf a few yrs. back. It was one of those auto ones with the tracks on the one side and go in neutral and drags you through... I was glad for the skid plate haha. That was my first lowered car, learned a valuable lesson that day

[asp gti]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

for diy washes i find the "mile wide" i think its called on 17th ave near 33rd is pretty good. I sometimes go to the one right by the old SCFC just off macleod and am not of a fan of it

[Kane]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

The one by scfc I know people who have done oil changes there at night. And I mean just drop the oil down into the drain... Idiots lol.

[ryukin2000]

Re: Calgary's Best/Worst Car Wash Thread

Centex in Tuxedo on Centre St and 23 Ave is where I like. Also the Smart Mart in Valley Ridge. Stay in the right bay and second spot. That timer seems to last the longest.

i always go to this centex as well but only because i live a couple blocks away. A big bonus is the free air too. i hate going to Petro or esso and its like a buck for air. there is also a centex on edmonton trail and 31ave. only 3 bays though and one line.