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      08-26-2017, 10:14 AM   #1
geogerf
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Best Car Wash/Detailer shops in So Cal

Looking for some feedback here guys.

I know the best is to do it yourself, so please no flaming. But sometimes you just want to sit back and pay someone to do it for you (haha).

There's a few 4+ star ratings on Yelp (https://www.yelp.com/search?find_des...4293%2C31&ns=1), but I wanted to check for any first hand experience.
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      08-26-2017, 02:30 PM   #2
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Oh boy...you are opening a can of worms. There are SO many in LA-proper and its almost impossible to give you "the best"

Budget? Level of OCDness? Just a car wash or full detail?

Here are the ones that I have multiple first hand experiences with (I've used a few other places over the years in LA but I can't remember where and when - and some of them have been not-so-great)

https://www.yelp.com/biz/studio-city...y?osq=Car+wash
* Pros: Cheap, fast, hand wash is generally done right (top to bottom, using good quality and clean washmits), generally pretty happy with the result but its not OCD clean.
* Cons: Can be crowded as fuck, they go pretty fast so this obviously isn't a perfect wash, very high volume business - so, again, they aren't spending a ton of time on your car
* Notes: I actually let them do a full detail (1 pass machine polishing on my GT3 and they did a pretty solid job - as good of a job as I expected for $140)

https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/melr...ng-los-angeles
* Pros: Cheap (used to be a LOT cheaper), fast, generally use pretty good quality products and tools, water is recycled
* Cons: Fast, high volume, not going to spend a ton of time on your car
* Note: I had my E46M3 actually detailed here (full detail with machine polishing) and like Studio City, for $125-150, the results were pretty solid - this was more than few years ago so YMMV

https://www.yelp.com/biz/lavaggio-th...g-agoura-hills (been to their location and have seen them in action but never had work done there - its an extremely nice facility)
* Pros: OCD-level clean (though you pay for it), proper facility, high quality tools and products, I believe they include lunch if you go around that time
* Cons: $$$$ Pricey, I believe a car wash takes like 90-120 minutes (but their basic car wash includes wax I believe), FAR away

I would avoid water-less "auto detailing" at malls...I've generally been less than thrilled with the results and its generally more expensive.

There are also a MYRIAD of mobile detailers in SoCal that will come to you...
* Have heard good things about Wavy: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wavy-mobile...il-los-angeles
* $$$$ http://www.glisteningperfection.com/
* $$$$ https://www.enviousdetailing.com/?op...tpage&Itemid=1

So yeah, there's a lot...
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      08-26-2017, 06:13 PM   #3
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great, man - yeah this was the kind of post i was hoping to see!

i've generally washed on my own, but at my work there was a guy that did a $20 decent job - good for my 10+ year RSX. But the M2 is obv something else, so I was just looking for recommendations.
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      08-27-2017, 12:05 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geogerf View Post
great, man - yeah this was the kind of post i was hoping to see!

i've generally washed on my own, but at my work there was a guy that did a $20 decent job - good for my 10+ year RSX. But the M2 is obv something else, so I was just looking for recommendations.
Yup, prefer DIY but don't have the ability right now. No hose and my apartment building won't bring in a mobile car wash vendor...I wish I just had a hose. I'm thinking of doing some DIY cQuartz and then doing hose-less 2 bucket washes...
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      08-28-2017, 12:15 PM   #5
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yeah, i'm kind of in a similar situation. i'm thinking of buying some of Adam's products and then cQuartz too when i can DIY.

http://adamspolishes.com/shop/exteri...arter-kit.html
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      08-28-2017, 12:22 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lax01 View Post
Yup, prefer DIY but don't have the ability right now. No hose and my apartment building won't bring in a mobile car wash vendor...I wish I just had a hose. I'm thinking of doing some DIY cQuartz and then doing hose-less 2 bucket washes...
In the same situation, I found some self service ones in Culver City, and close to Venice, but they had really crap reviews. Since I try to goto OC every weekend, I'll trying washing somewhere over there. Where in LA are you located at?
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      08-28-2017, 12:50 PM   #7
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I'm in the Glendale/Pasadena area, but sometimes in Irvine on weekends.

I just bought this http://adamspolishes.com/shop/kits/w...h-wax-kit.html
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      08-28-2017, 03:37 PM   #8
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DTLA in the Arts District for me...

My detailing supply collection is pretty disgusting...considering I've used it all once in the past 12-18 months.

I have this Optimum No-Rinse Hose-less wash solution which works pretty well: http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

The self-service ones are hit-or-miss...I usually take two buckets and just see if I get yelled at. So far, I haven't been kicked out or banned from any self-wash-bays
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      08-29-2017, 03:41 AM   #9
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Bros Automotive Detailing
Super cool guys, good experiences. They'll come to you
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      08-29-2017, 02:24 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dtmpower98 View Post
Bros Automotive Detailing
Super cool guys, good experiences. They'll come to you
Link? Info? lol

Do they need access to a hose?
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      08-29-2017, 09:59 PM   #11
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https://yelp.to/qTKq/2J0CqXVo1F

They have their own water. They wash a lot of super/HyperCars in LA that I know of. Good pricing for the quality of work they do
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      08-29-2017, 10:01 PM   #12
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From Monterey car week lol
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      08-29-2017, 10:43 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dtmpower98 View Post
https://yelp.to/qTKq/2J0CqXVo1F

They have their own water. They wash a lot of super/HyperCars in LA that I know of. Good pricing for the quality of work they do
Enough negative experiences to keep me away! Thanks!
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      08-30-2017, 12:28 AM   #14
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Do some research on proper technique and learn how to do it yourself. Theres gratification in doing the job yourself and no one will pay as good of attention to detail
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      08-30-2017, 12:44 AM   #15
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This thread wasn't about HOW to wash the car.
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      08-31-2017, 03:22 PM   #16
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Promobile : Mike Tawekjian
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he comes to you =)
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      08-31-2017, 04:50 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Orange fever View Post
Promobile : Mike Tawekjian
www.promobileautodetail.com
714-683-7725
he comes to you =)
just tell him i (jayR) sent you
Handles some nice cars...does he really do basic car washes too? Price?
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      09-04-2017, 06:52 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lax01 View Post
Yup, prefer DIY but don't have the ability right now. No hose and my apartment building won't bring in a mobile car wash vendor...I wish I just had a hose. I'm thinking of doing some DIY cQuartz and then doing hose-less 2 bucket washes...
I have some of that optimum no rinse stuff. It's decent but if your car is really dirty it's probably not a great idea. On any ppf panels I think it's pretty safe, any small scratches in ppf should self heal, if they don't, well your paint still good.

Why don't you go to a place with a pressure washer and do it yourself there? Could bring your own products. Or bring some beers to your friend's that have a hose? Or wash their car too or whatever.
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      09-04-2017, 08:04 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akkando View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by lax01 View Post
Yup, prefer DIY but don't have the ability right now. No hose and my apartment building won't bring in a mobile car wash vendor...I wish I just had a hose. I'm thinking of doing some DIY cQuartz and then doing hose-less 2 bucket washes...
I have some of that optimum no rinse stuff. It's decent but if your car is really dirty it's probably not a great idea. On any ppf panels I think it's pretty safe, any small scratches in ppf should self heal, if they don't, well your paint still good.

Why don't you go to a place with a pressure washer and do it yourself there? Could bring your own products. Or bring some beers to your friend's that have a hose? Or wash their car too or whatever.
I pay $5 (10 minutes) for a pressure wash car wash, following up with a spotless rinse (no soap from these places). I pull into the vacuum/drying area and do a no rinse Chemical Guys Eco.
It works for me for in between washes and when my local car wash is closed. Beach City in Long Beach is the only local car wash I use.
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      09-07-2017, 08:22 PM   #20
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I have my "encore" meeting at the dealership this weekend. Afterwards, they wash the car for free - OCD guys probably turn this service down. What's been your experience?
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      09-08-2017, 03:43 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geogerf View Post
I have my "encore" meeting at the dealership this weekend. Afterwards, they wash the car for free - OCD guys probably turn this service down. What's been your experience?
Declined. Didn't even go to the Encore meeting...I already knew more about the car when I picked it up. Was actually showing the BMW Genius features...
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      09-09-2017, 12:48 PM   #22
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I'm sitting here in the dealership. Just got my M pedals in the mail and asked them to install. They obliged. I know it's an easy install but hey, I'll take some free labor!

I am going to have them wash the car, then I plan to wax it right after.
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