How Often You Wash Your Car and How Much Effort You Put in to Washing Your Car?

beefmaster on 17/01/2022 - 12:43
Last edited 17/01/2022 - 12:44

I recently have a new car delivered. Like many, with a new car purchase there is a desire to keep the car as pristine as possible, ceramic coating, PPF, wash, wax, etc. Based on my previous car ownership, my desire and effort to keep the car clean eventually dies off after 6 months because it just too much work. Over my 25 years of driving, I only changed engine oil twice (first car), I think I have only waxed the car once (Again first car). Eventually I just take my car to a car wash once or twice a year and other time let the rain work its magic. I do frequently vacuum inside the car to prevent dirt and mold.

Although I eventually clean my car less, I did continue to try to avoid scratching any panel, selective parking space, etc. But even that became less of a concern to me after owning the car for 10 years.

I can understand a person will continue to put effort to cleaning their car if the car is leased and change to a new shiny car after 3 years when the lease is up. New toy comes with renewal desire to keep it pristine. For me, I keep my car for 7+ years and like marriage the spark eventually dies off.

Over the weekend I saw a Ozbargin deal for a Bowden's Own Happy Ending Sealant and a few posters seem to put a lot of efforts into or know a lot on cleaning cars. So, I am curious how often you wash your car and the effort you put in?

Poll Options

  • 107
    Rarely wash my car even when it was newly purchased
  • 61
    Put effort washing my car for the first few years, then much less.
  • 14
    Continuously and diligently wash my car frequently even after 3 to 5 years of ownership.
  • 15
    Continuously and diligently wash my car frequently even after 5+ years of ownership.
  • 32
    Continuously and diligently wash my car frequently even after 10+ years of ownership.
Automotive Car Care

Comments

  • iNeed2Pee on 17/01/2022 - 12:46
    +6

    What is the point of washing a car when you have Melbournes shitty dirt rain to ruin it!

    I used to care about washing my car when I was younger but now, it is not high on my priority list!

    • Chandler on 17/01/2022 - 13:30
      +2

      Melbournes shitty dirt rain

      SkyNeed2Pee

    • HairyChickens on 17/01/2022 - 14:41

      You ever pissed on the tyre as a kid

  • serpserpserp on 17/01/2022 - 12:50
    +5

    I never wash the car.

    Agree with above. City rain (in Melb and Syd at least) makes it a bit pointless. The minute you take it out on the road it is dirtied.

    • beefmaster on 17/01/2022 - 15:53

      I find Sydney lacks rain with the occasion little sprinkle. Obviously this summer have a bit more rain when compared to the last few years.

      • serpserpserp on 17/01/2022 - 16:03

        Really? Just in November they had the wettest month of rain ever.

        • beefmaster on 17/01/2022 - 17:45

          I will extend this summer to last spring :). I agree it have been a lot more rain these last 2 seasons but years prior I don't recall much rain. Especially last fire season.

  • Euphemistic on 17/01/2022 - 12:52
    +3

    The newer the car the more it gets cleaned. Newer car washing typically limited to simple rinse, suds and sponge, rinse. Eg fortnightly for the first couple of months. Monthly for the next 6-12. Quarterly after that, unless it gets dirty for some reason.

    Very occasional application of polish, like only every 2-3 years.

    Current vehicle normally only gets washed after playing in mud or on the beach.

  • Ghost47 on 17/01/2022 - 12:55
    +2

    Auto car wash FTW.

  • kolorijo on 17/01/2022 - 13:09

    Touchless wash once a month (sometimes 2 months or more).

    2 buckets method when it got super dirty, like after a road trip.

  • apsilon on 17/01/2022 - 13:15
    +2

    I aim to wash monthly as car is always outside but typically ends up every ~6 weeks. Foam then 3 bucket wash, hose on/rinse off sealant, towel dry. Vac and interior dust every ~2 months or as necessary.

  • raptormesh on 17/01/2022 - 13:16
    +6

    No car, but I do wash my feet.

    • reactor-au on 18/01/2022 - 10:04

      Just for the first few years or…

  • afoveht on 17/01/2022 - 13:22
    +3

    I wait for the rain to do its thing. (I. e. cleaning the car, not spoiling the clean I just gave it)

  • MrThing on 17/01/2022 - 13:30
    +2

    once every 3 months i do a quick wash with a gurni and sponge to remove dirt and road grime. its a 10yr old car but so i dont put much effort in

  • Nugs on 17/01/2022 - 13:39
    +2

    I hate driving in a dirty car, regardless of age or value.
    Not pristine, just not filthy.
    .

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 17/01/2022 - 13:40

    I just go with auto car wash now, its pretty damn pricy but it's done in <10 min and at the end it's hand dried by a team of 4-6 people.

  • djones145 on 17/01/2022 - 13:40

    when it rains i run out with a sponge and give it a bit of a clean

  • Drakesy on 17/01/2022 - 13:49
    +2

    I find a good wash every 3 months with a coat sealer does the trick, roughly 1.5 hours and she's good to go.

    Winter seems to keep most of the dirt off it, it's just summer when the dust cakes on.

    this is coming from a 2007 Q7 which the previous owner was meticulous with.

  • bobbified on 17/01/2022 - 13:55

    I live in an apartment so can never do a proper wash that frequently. So once a week, I take it to the pressure washer - pressure soap and then pressure rinse for a few bucks. Does a decent job. When I get a chance to wash it in a backyard, I'll do it properly with a proper sponge and carwash products.

    • bobwokeup on 18/01/2022 - 12:45

      Once a week far out is your car brand new and you’re paranoid about it?

      • bobbified on 18/01/2022 - 16:16

        I'm not paranoid about it, but I like to keep it clean inside and outside. I'm not OCD or anything and I don't get antsy if I'm busy and I don't get time to do it It's just when it gets dirty and I leave it for too long, the dirty/oil/grime sticks and the pressure soap stuff doesn't get it off anymore. It doesn't help that I live in Melbourne too. The dust from parking in an apartment carpark, plus a few bits and pieces of rain just makes things look shit.

        • bobwokeup on 19/01/2022 - 00:31
          -4

          Sorry but that’s classic OCD, especially as you said you’re worried about the look. Once a week is ridiculous. My brother in law is worse than that when it comes to cleaning and I can’t stand it! Such a huge waste of resources for a very small benefit.

          Unless we go 4wding we don’t wash our car (it’s black too) for months and yes it’s a little bit dirty but that’s it.

          • bobbified on 19/01/2022 - 08:31

            @bobwokeup: Thanks for the remote diagnosis, doctor! lol

            I'm not sure if you're aware, but some people actually enjoy their cars. I do like the look of my car and I like to keep it clean.

            The pressure sprayers at the carwash places use much less water and that water is recycled onsite. I don't have the luxury of 'washing it on the lawn' like you do.

            Are you going to tell me that having a shower every day is also a huge waste of resources? Or I shouldn't be having a shower on the days that I don't leave the house?

            • Hithere on 19/01/2022 - 09:34
              +3

              @bobbified:

              I do like the look of my car and I like to keep it clean.

              This. My car is just over 18 months old and I still wash it and vacuum it out every week.

              It's not much effort to clean a car if it's done on a regular basis. I have water tanks installed and use them for washing my car so there are no resources being wasted.

              It's not OCD to want to be clean and look after your possessions.

              • bobwokeup on 19/01/2022 - 14:30

                @Hithere: At least you use a water tank to clean your car. I strongly disagree it’s OCD when it’s every week and I never said OCD is a bad thing for the right reasons but you all got defensive!!

                I love my car and look after it well but needing it to be spotless every week is pretentious (bring on the negs haha). Our car still looks good and does what it is designed to do, drive from A to B.

  • Baysew on 17/01/2022 - 14:06
    +3

    Washing Cars Is Rigged

    • Drakesy on 17/01/2022 - 14:16
      +4

      Another classic @Slavoz post
      God i love this guy, a bit annoyed that i missed it!

      What a character

      • Quantumcat on 17/01/2022 - 22:33
        +2

        Character is one word for it

  • chcse on 17/01/2022 - 14:14
    +2

    Bought new car 2 years ago, eventually settled to wash and wax every 6 months to 12 months, but yeah, after the first year, my care factor rapidly decreased. I'd still care if someone scratched or dent it, but don't mind too much the chips that you will inevitably get.

  • Tiredman on 17/01/2022 - 14:17
    +1

    Polished and waxed my car for the first time in 16 years last week.

    • skid on 17/01/2022 - 16:13

      About to sell it?

  • andresampras on 17/01/2022 - 14:39

    Depends on the car. What car is it?

  • Archi on 17/01/2022 - 14:42
    +1

    "hey, hold on a sec let me move those shoes and boots out of the way and you can just move those drink bottles aside and don't worry about the paper, you can step on those. we can open the windows when we drive and blow all the dust out"

    when your passenger, sits tall in the seat with their knees tightly clenched with the hand on their lap. you know you have a problem.

    i spend more time cleaning the inside of the car rather than the outside.

  • blueyez on 17/01/2022 - 14:52

    I hand wash it every week or two. Minimal effort, mainly to get the dirt/bird poop off as it's often parked on the street. It already has a lot of scratches/scrapes/missing paint so obviously my care factor is not very high as I chose to buy it like this!

    • beefmaster on 17/01/2022 - 15:10
      +2

      Recently I wash my car and within 4 hours there was bird poo and left a yellow stain which I could not remove it. That bird who did a dirty on my car mush have some nasty stomach acid.

  • Hithere on 17/01/2022 - 15:20
    +1

    I must be the odd one out here, but I do have plenty of free time on my hands.

    I vacuum the car and then wash with either Turtle Wax snow foam or Turtle Wax wash and wax every week.

    At least every 3 months I wax the car with Collinite 845.

    I'm a sadist, I enjoy doing it.

  • esq on 17/01/2022 - 15:48

    I used to be a total perfectionist with this to avoid scratches and the dreaded "swirl" that is only visible in certain light and angles. The science behind it is you damage your paint if you don't do this or that or use the wrong thing at the wrong time.

    Now I hose it down, sponge fairly gently, and wipe with a decent enough waffle weave towel and don't stare at the paint too hard.

    • beefmaster on 17/01/2022 - 15:51

      I agree, the harder you look the more imperfection you will find.

  • serpserpserp on 17/01/2022 - 16:06
    +1

    A lot of people in this thread wash their cars so much. Do you all own perfect condition vintage cars?

    • esq on 17/01/2022 - 16:25
      +4

      We are all Investment Analyst grads driving investments with high yield

      • beefmaster on 17/01/2022 - 17:59
        +3

        That thread will forever have a spot in everyone's heart

      • Quantumcat on 17/01/2022 - 22:36

        Thank you for the link, I have seen so many hundreds of references but never the original thread. Kudos.

    • bobwokeup on 19/01/2022 - 14:35

      Exactly you’d think so wouldn’t you. Even if I had a brand new car I’d do it once a month haha The next day after washing its dirty again anyway.

  • dust on 17/01/2022 - 17:24
    +2

    I wash it once every 5 years or whenever it rains.

  • brendanm on 17/01/2022 - 18:33

    Twice a week normally, auto car wash.

    • bobwokeup on 18/01/2022 - 12:41

      Seriously, why so often? 😱 twice a month would be a lot.

      • brendanm on 18/01/2022 - 13:03

        Why not? It's black, I work at a place with lots of fallout, and I pay $40 a month for unlimited washing.

        • bobwokeup on 19/01/2022 - 00:26

          My cars black too but I’d never wash it that much. Mainly because of the huge waste of water just for appearances. Gosh $40 a month just to wash a car, that is not the OzBargain way.

          • brendanm on 19/01/2022 - 07:46

            @bobwokeup: How many hours would you spend washing a car a month? How much do you get paid per hour? I hate washing the car, so this way works out better.

            • bobwokeup on 19/01/2022 - 08:19

              @brendanm: I don’t even wash it every month and when I do I do it over the lawn so the water is not wasted. I get paid very well it’s not about the money but $40 is a waste.

              • brendanm on 19/01/2022 - 08:30

                @bobwokeup:

                I get paid very well it’s not about the money but $40 is a waste.

                Correct, it's about the time. As I said, I work somewhere with a lot of fallout. The time saved from me not washing it is worth it to me.

                I would probably class plenty of things you do as a waste of money.

                • bobwokeup on 19/01/2022 - 14:39

                  @brendanm: Like I said previously but you must have missed it, it’s not about the money or time it’s about the waste of resources washing it that frequently. If more people cared then we wouldn’t have water restrictions like we do…I know I don’t approach it the right way but I’m sick of others (not saying you do I’m generalising) that only think about themselves I see it every day!

                  Definitely agree with you on the time factor I know I waste time finding deals for example but everyone is different in that regards.

                  • brendanm on 19/01/2022 - 14:46

                    @bobwokeup: You literally said twice it's a waste of money. If it's like most carwashes these days, they use recycled water.

                    • bobwokeup on 19/01/2022 - 14:51

                      @brendanm: Oh sorry about that, it was just an observation. Yeah you’d hope so but you never know nowadays it’s about what is cheapest for the business.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2022 - 19:39

    What about washing inside of the car? I need to, has not done it for many years, leather. Local Car wash asks $200 for few hours job. Reasonable?

    • beefmaster on 17/01/2022 - 19:54

      All the car wash I have seen typically charges $60 onward for exterior wash and interior clean (I.e. vacuum and dash board wipe)

      $200 sounds like a car detailing services. Or your car is extremely dirty where they have to charge you more than the typical $60 services.

      • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2022 - 19:56

        No, I really need them to scrub it, seats, textile walls and ceiling. Not just wiping plastics, yea - detailing.

  • forged on 17/01/2022 - 20:10

    Usually wash only every few weeks, but I do it slowly and carefully to avoid leaving swirl marks.
    I'll clean the front and rear windows more frequently though.

  • yellowfever on 17/01/2022 - 21:22
    -1

    I do this odd thing that a day or so after washing car, I hose the car down to remove any light dust and dirt it has picked up. It helps keep the car clean a little longer.
    I do this for about every 1 to 2 days, and then probably every 3-4 and weekly until the car has more dirt stuck on the panels and it's time to wash the car again.

    I find that if I don't do this the car will collect dirt within 1 week and I have to live with it until I can be bothered washing it again.

    • beefmaster on 18/01/2022 - 08:51

      That to me is already a lot of effort. You dry the car after hosing?

      • yellowfever on 18/01/2022 - 10:35

        Nah I only spend 1 min hosing down. I don't dry it.

  • NelgCip on 18/01/2022 - 09:47
    +3

    When it is raining, I normally bring out the car and wipe the dust sticking with the Enjo car glove (or something similar). The rain will just wash the dirt off. When it dries later, you don't see the dirt anymore.

    Every now and then, I bring it to the automatic car wash that does not use bristles.

  • saltypete on 18/01/2022 - 09:59
    +1

    None of the above.
    My 10yo still gets a wash 4-5 times per year.
    My new 4x4 gets washed after a trip when it is generally filthy, say once every couple of months.
    This model has a known paint issue, so washing also makes me check paintwork.
    I don’t put either through a car wash - they are well known paint scratchers….

  • Loopholio on 18/01/2022 - 10:48

    I care most about keeping the important parts clean.

    Windows inside and out
    Mirrors
    Bird, bat and tree shit
    Lights

  • bobwokeup on 18/01/2022 - 12:39

    Always wash the car after 4wding and other than that rarely as it just gets dirty so quick anyway haha

    I also wash it on the lawn, not sure why so many wash on their driveways when they have lawn? We don’t use soap as Enjo products don’t need it but I washed my car for years on the lawn with soap as a young fellow and never had issues!!

  • redvaldez on 18/01/2022 - 14:47

    For me, I keep my car for 7+ years and like marriage the spark eventually dies off.

    See, I'm the other way around. I like to look after my cars, and I like to keep them long term, so I keep putting the effort in. On my daily driver I'll spend around around 1.5 hours washing my car every 2-4 weeks (depending on weather and what I'm up to). Leather gets done every 6-8 weeks, and interior generally as needed.

  • Slippage on 18/01/2022 - 22:49
    +3

    Both cars are always garaged at home and work, which helps a lot to keep them clean, but still washed every fortnight with boutique products (foam soak->Wash->aquawax) and full wax twice a year. 1 car is nearly 20 years old, the other is just past 10.

    I find the task relaxing and it’s something I can get the kids to help with also (dad washes they rinse)

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