Can i use my own soap/bucket at a coin-op?

Skyhawk

New member
I need some way to wash my car, can i take my own soap and mitt and just use the sprayer thingy or whatever it is at the coin-op place for water? Or does it depend on the place?I'd plan on going late at night if i did.
 
Most of those places frown on bringing your own supplies. If it is a busy coin-op you may even have the other customers getting mad at you. Maybe try it at odd hours when the place is not busy...
 
Skyhawk said:
I need some way to wash my car, can i take my own soap and mitt and just use the sprayer thingy or whatever it is at the coin-op place for water? Or does it depend on the place?I'd plan on going late at night if i did.
I do that often when I go to a car show that is fairly far away, but it is usually at night so the only other people I see are others that might be in our group.



As rjstaaf mentioned, I would avoid it during the day or anytime they are busy. I think if there is going to be a worker or manager around it would be during the day, so late at night should be OK. You're still going to spend $$$ for at least two cycles of the wash bay; one to fill your bucket/s and wet the car down, and then another to do a rinse (unless you use ONR or QEW).
 
Back when I was an apartment dweller, I ALWAYS took my own bucket, mitt, & occasionally my own soap with me to the coin op. Yea, they typically frown on bucket washing- especially when it's busy, but it really doesn't take any more time than using one of those brush-wands (NEVER touch those!). That's why I usually went during off hours.



Of course, even now when I travel, I always take a bucket, mitt, & an Absorber with me so I can clean off the worst of the bugsplat when I get to my destination, or when I stop for the night. Am sure many a hotel has wondered WHAT I did with their towels...
 
Skyhawk said:
I need some way to wash my car, can i take my own soap and mitt and just use the sprayer thingy or whatever it is at the coin-op place for water? Or does it depend on the place?I'd plan on going late at night if i did.

My personal take is, as long as the meter is running, you can sit there and read the paper! Now the folks in line may object, but as long as the meter is running, go for it!
 
I'm not sure of where you live but try to find a place that advertises 25 cent washes. Instead of having to add $1.25 or $1.50 to start, you pop in a quarter at a time.



Lorne
 
thanks for the replies. Im in school at JU in Jacksonville so i have no where to wash my car, so i think ill just start taking it to one of the coin-op places LATE at night. Im gonna get me some ONR, but i dont have it right now and my cars getting kind of dirty. So maybe ill go check out the coin-op up the road from me later night and see how it goes.
 
I visit my local coin-op during the winter months. The owner/operator has never said anything to me yet. There are never any other customers waiting so I guess its ok. Just remember never ever use that soapy brush.....
 
I do it now. I go on off hours. It is posted no bucket washing, but there are no attendants ever. Just go in the evening and you shuold be fine.
 
When I'm at school I also take my bucket and supplies in to the coin-op with me. Its usually not very busy and I have become friends with the manager as he always comes and talks to me and asks questions about the car when I'm there. They have never once said anything about not using own supplies but I could see where that could be frowned upon.
 
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