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Journal: Do You Love To Wash Your Car?

Do You Love To Wash Your Car?

By Michael Banovsky
July 29, 2016
18 comments

Photography by Afshin Behnia & David Marvier

When I was much younger, I worked at two different car dealerships in the cleanup and detailing departments. I’m happy for the experience and learning a bit about how to keep a vehicle clean—but at the time, washing my own car quickly became a dreaded task. Funny…I used to love washing cars.

Trust me: the thousands of beige cars I cleaned during Free Car Wash Saturdays at the local Toyota store is not a great way to fall in love with detailing. As I got into my college years, the dealership ways were forgotten and washing my car became enjoyable again. Chris Gonzalez, our Marketplace Operations Manager, inspired this post during a discussion where he talked about washing his car with his parents being “a bonding experience” in his younger years.

Do you love to wash your car?

Tags Car Wash/ Classic Cars
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Emil Jonsson
Emil Jonsson
4 years ago

I like it still. But only my enthusiast car. Daily commuter is a PITA. For me it’s a chance to go out in the garage. I drive a Porsche 997 convertible. It’s nice with a clean car but it also gives me a chance to review the paint and I always do something extra every time: put on rubber conditioner for the seals, clean the leather, clean the window, clean the engine bay. Love the shapes if

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Mark Mullis
Mark Mullis
4 years ago

I enjoy washing our cars. I enjoy it a lot. It’s quiet time for me to pay attention to a few very cool cars I’m lucky enough to have. If I need to check the air and adjust pressure, change a windsheld wiper, or pay attention to that big bug squished all over the bumper, I can. It seems to me that for such a small committment of time, one receives a lot of satisfaction.

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Justin Reed
Justin Reed(@reedminor)
5 years ago

Yes I love it. I find it very therapeutic, and allows me to know what is going on with my car. I recall when both my late father and I had Porsche 356’s we used to clean them together. Now I have my own 1968 911L, and look after Dad’s 356 for the family. I even enjoy washing the daily driver a 2013 Golf GTI.

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Roger Rexroade
Roger Rexroade(@klasse-act)
5 years ago

I only have 1 car, nodded 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth and I wash it 1 to 2 times a week. We live in an apartment and have underground parking which helps keep the car out of the environment. I go down there to do rinseless and waterless washes. I have a 2 gallon hand pump to rinse off the tires, wheels and wheelwells. I only know one way to maintain my car….ALL THE WAY!

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Lms
Lms(@lms)
5 years ago

Love the process and the results, it is very calming. The part I hate is it forces me to find new imperfections, which then need to be addressed

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Jan Wittkowski
Jan Wittkowski(@javo)
5 years ago

I would love it, if I had a decent place to do it.. But here in Germany, we have some issues. You’re not allowed to do it on public road, or even in your backyard unless you have a seperate way for the outflow.
Nature protective reasons… Or because you can make money out of the outflow..

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Jan Wittkowski
Jan Wittkowski(@javo)
5 years ago
Reply to  Jan Wittkowski

I’m not quiet sure

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John Dingivan
John Dingivan(@dingj003)
5 years ago

Yes, every Sunday morning I make a cup of coffee, put on some music and wash my two cars. I find it relaxing, when you keep them clean it does not take a lot of work to keep them up. It also gives me time to check the air in the tires and the fluids and anything else that might need to be done.

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HitTheApex
HitTheApex(@hittheapex)
5 years ago

It isn’t driving, so no, I wouldn’t say I enjoy it. However, something sbout detailing a car is oddly therapeutic. While I don’t particularly enjoy the detailing process, I like having a clean car in the garage when all is said and done.

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Bobby Richard
Bobby Richard(@bobbyrichard)
5 years ago

I love it… do it regularly on both my cars. I don’t know why but detailing the interior is my favorite part… go figure! 🙂

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Terry Burke
Terry Burke(@teb)
5 years ago

In 1958 aged 10 one of our jobs on Saturday was to wash mom’s 1958 Chevy Station wagon. Anniversary Gold and Honey Beige were the colors. My mom liked cars and this was her first new car. My two older brothers and I would get it shined up for her and I enjoyed the process even if my oldest brother did not. To this day I enjoy cleaning, waxing and detailing my cars. I find it relaxing, good exercise, hydrotherapy and a nice sense of satisfaction when done. Some guys like golf or tennis, to each his own! TEB

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M3racer
M3racer(@m3racer)
5 years ago

I love washing my cars. Weather permitting, I wash at least one of them once a week. My love for washing cars came early. When I was about 6-7 years old, I thought I would do my dad a favor and wash is freshly painted 1966 Porsche 912. Unfortunately I used steel wool and water from the gutter. Thankfully I’m still alive and have learned that there are better detailing products out there.

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Michael Squeo
Michael Squeo(@enzobindo)
5 years ago
Reply to  M3racer

M3racer. Had a similar experience in the mid-sixties but my Dad caught me before I used Comet on his car.

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Manuel Figueiredo
Manuel Figueiredo(@mafig)
5 years ago

I do love washing my two cars, Always loved.

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Chris Woolman
Chris Woolman(@fb_1457822510)
5 years ago

I do love washing my car, but I’m also a bit of a clean freak so the satisfaction isn’t always the process, but the outcome. As a professional detailer, I do sometimes struggle with being motivated to wash my own cars, but I’m always glad I took the time to clean them up.

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Derelict
Derelict(@derelict)
5 years ago

No. Very much no. If I am washing it it is because it needs to be and I am trying to prevent rust. Once a month depending upon driving.

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jolocho
jolocho(@jolocho)
5 years ago
Reply to  Derelict

Same here. It’s maintenance, like changing oil without the risk of a mess.

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Nicolas Moss
Nicolas Moss(@itsnicolas)
5 years ago

Indeed!

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