Best car wash in Cork City or near city

outfox

Hi
Looking for a really good car wash in or near Cork. Not one of the automatic drive-through types, but one where there's a guy with the power washer and the sponges etc. And where he has different sponges for windows, paint work, wheels, etc. So, in short, a car wash where the guy washing actually gives a damn.
I'd like to avoid the valet centres, as you usually have to book in advance. I'd prefer a car wash based at a service station (or wherever) that you can just rock on up when you're passing.
Thanks for any recommendations.

Atlantis50

Walked past this crowd in Bishopstown today but haven't used them so can't comment on the quality of their wash. They were kept fairly busy though with a queue there if that can be taken as an indication that they do at least an OK job:

https://www.google.ie/maps/@51.8792756,-8.5205588,3a,75y,226.54h,77.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGZqzsWjNAqfINeNsZI5p3w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

GavRedKing

I cant recommend D&D detailing in Blackpool enough, they meet all your criteria except theyre not based at filling station.

mik_da_man

GavRedKing wrote: »

I cant recommend D&D detailing in Blackpool enough, they meet all your criteria except theyre not based at filling station.

Yup, would recommend them too if you care about your paintwork.

rob316

Always found O'Donoghues in Bishopstown excellent.

outfox

Thanks guys. D&D look great, but I suspect I might have to book in advance. I'll check them both out.

GavRedKing

outfox wrote: »

Thanks guys. D&D look great, but I suspect I might have to book in advance. I'll check them both out.

Theyve started doing maintenace washes on the fly now again so you can just turn up.

Ive rung them before though to see if there was many cars up there. Most youll be waiting is usually 10mins.

IMO its worth it but if its out of your way then you may have to reconsider. Saturdays can be busy enough but go up early and youll be in and out in no time.

sporina

I use a car wash at the back of a service station on the Redforge Rd Blackpool - sorry i don't know the name of the station but its on that road, after the shopping centre.. as your heading towards the mallow rd = before the Y junction (mallow/old mallow rd)

its really cheap and the guys are great and really nice.. no need to book - just go there

CianDon

I swear by the Handwash Company that are part of the Maxol on the Straight Road just beyond County hall. A lot of places, especially O'Donoghue's in Wilton, use foam sponges that cause wreck on paint that may look clean from a distance. Also, avoid any place that won't dry the car, as watermarks can make any car look manky right away. D&D are top notch as well up in Blackpool, and they have a full shop of cleaning gear, but can get busy

sporina

CianDon wrote: »

I swear by the Handwash Company that are part of the Maxol on the Straight Road just beyond County hall. A lot of places, especially O'Donoghue's in Wilton, use foam sponges that cause wreck on paint that may look clean from a distance. Also, avoid any place that won't dry the car, as watermarks can make any car look manky right away. D&D are top notch as well up in Blackpool, and they have a full shop of cleaning gear, but can get busy

i must check out D&D sometime - sounds interesting - and its close to me
(although I do have an affinity for the place I mentioned in my original post)

Rhinohippo

rob316 wrote: »

Always found O'Donoghues in Bishopstown excellent.

Yeah. O'Donoghues is very good.

outfox

CianDon wrote: »

I swear by the Handwash Company that are part of the Maxol on the Straight Road just beyond County hall. A lot of places, especially O'Donoghue's in Wilton, use foam sponges that cause wreck on paint that may look clean from a distance.

Do you know what the Handwash guys use instead of foam sponges?

Helpneeded86

sporina wrote: »

i must check out D&D sometime - sounds interesting - and its close to me
(although I do have an affinity for the place I mentioned in my original post)

I think I use the same one as you. Guy in his 40s/50s and a young lad.

sporina

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

I think I use the same one as you. Guy in his 40s/50s and a young lad.

yep that sounds like them - immediately after the shopping centre on the back road... its a "Top" station - shop is O Riordains

outfox

outfox wrote: »

Do you know what the Handwash guys use instead of foam sponges?

They use lambs wool wash mits. While they do take care of the car I've found lately that on close inspection they are not getting the car fully clean especially the roof where my car tends to build up some fairly hard to shift dirt that's still there after the wash. I still use them though as they are handy and I get a discount so it's very cheap.

Rhinohippo

There's a good wash, apparently, in Texaco in Bishopstown also. I haven't used it but heard from somebody who did, who was very pleased with it.

.red.

The carwash in topaz grange is very good, for a brush wash.
They spray the car first with a hand held pressure pump and give any bad bits a wipe. Then you go into the brush wash, leave in neutral with the handbrake down and a conveyor pulls the car along the brushes. Never seen wheels or under sills so clean after a brush wash.
Decent wash for €10.

mik_da_man

But it destroys your paintwork..

If you really value the paint finish on your car, never use a brush wash

boardsuser1

mik_da_man wrote: »

But it destroys your paintwork..

If you really value the paint finish on your car, never use a brush wash

+1

Used the tunnel wash yesterday in Topaz Frankfield.

The lacquer is now peeling by the back light.

beer enigma

The one on the Douglas road opposite Regina Mundi is very good, hand wash, not different cloths, but he is good

CianDon

CianDon wrote: »

I swear by the Handwash Company that are part of the Maxol on the Straight Road just beyond County hall. A lot of places, especially O'Donoghue's in Wilton, use foam sponges that cause wreck on paint that may look clean from a distance. Also, avoid any place that won't dry the car, as watermarks can make any car look manky right away. D&D are top notch as well up in Blackpool, and they have a full shop of cleaning gear, but can get busy

I used to find them good but they refuse to perform the chamois dry on occasions if it's raining as the car will be wet once you drive out :rolleyes:

to be fair in comparison to O'Donoghue's in Wilton they are top class.

Rhinohippo

It's funny. I always washed my own car until a year or two ago. Started using car washes then but after reading some of the stories here, I'm wondering if I should return to the tried and tested home job. More work for me but I don't want the paintwork damaged.

boardsuser1

Is the brushless wash in Blarney still going?

BeansBeans

TS Valeting in Marina Commercial Park are fantastic. Got a handwash and dry done there recently for a very cheap €12. Was recommended by a friend, I will be going back again for a full valet. Takes a lot longer than a jet/brush wash, but worth it in my opinion.

outfox

What's the general consensus on tipping? It's annoying enough in restaurants, but is tipping done at carwashes too?

rob316

BeansBeans wrote: »

TS Valeting in Marina Commercial Park are fantastic. Got a handwash and dry done there recently for a very cheap €12. Was recommended by a friend, I will be going back again for a full valet. Takes a lot longer than a jet/brush wash, but worth it in my opinion.

Going to try them out this weekend, good price.

mik_da_man

outfox wrote: »

What's the general consensus on tipping? It's annoying enough in restaurants, but is tipping done at carwashes too?

I'd be the sane as restaurants, if they did a good job and made a visible effort to impress they would get a tip.

It's far from common I'd say TBH though.

mikeecho

.red. wrote: »

The carwash in topaz grange is very good, for a brush wash.
They spray the car first with a hand held pressure pump and give any bad bits a wipe. Then you go into the brush wash, leave in neutral with the handbrake down and a conveyor pulls the car along the brushes. Never seen wheels or under sills so clean after a brush wash.
Decent wash for €10.

Is this the same topaz just off the kinsale rd r'about, next to Travelodge ?, across from Hanleys...

Because if it is. It's one of the worst car washes.

outfox

BeansBeans wrote: »

TS Valeting in Marina Commercial Park are fantastic. Got a handwash and dry done there recently for a very cheap €12. Was recommended by a friend, I will be going back again for a full valet. Takes a lot longer than a jet/brush wash, but worth it in my opinion.

I changed my car recently. I got the previous one cleaned and fully valeted at TS in the Marina before I sold it. Super job. At €120 (4x4 price), it wasn't cheap, but it was a really good job in fairness. The reason I was looking for a new car wash crew was that I reckon TS need to be booked in advance. Maybe I'm wrong? If I'm wrong, and I can just call in when passing, I'd use them again.

In the meantime, I tried one of the recommendations above: O'Donoghue's in Bishopstown. Pretty good job. They were using sponges instead of mitts as one poster mentioned, although I haven't noticed any paintwork marks as a result. They did not dry the car, so there were a few water spots, although in fairness it was a cloudy day and drying was slow, so maybe there was no need. Gonna try D&D or the Handwash Co next.

BeansBeans

outfox wrote: »

I changed my car recently. I got the previous one cleaned and fully valeted at TS in the Marina before I sold it. Super job. At €120 (4x4 price), it wasn't cheap, but it was a really good job in fairness. The reason I was looking for a new car wash crew was that I reckon TS need to be booked in advance. Maybe I'm wrong? If I'm wrong, and I can just call in when passing, I'd use them again.

In the meantime, I tried one of the recommendations above: O'Donoghue's in Bishopstown. Pretty good job. They were using sponges instead of mitts as one poster mentioned, although I haven't noticed any paintwork marks as a result. They did not dry the car, so there were a few water spots, although in fairness it was a cloudy day and drying was slow, so maybe there was no need. Gonna try D&D or the Handwash Co next.

For a handwash I think you can drop it in, I rang them and the lady on the phone said I could bring it in straight away if i wanted. They have at least one other place too, I think in glanmire.
I was very pleasantly surprised by them. A friend brings his car (for his business) there so he is very fussy about washing/valeting.

Outkast_IRE

The other half tried south coast valeting in little island, as it was handy. Went for a €25 job - Exterior handwash, dry, interior polish and hoover, quick detailing on the wheels .

Car was in decent shape in terms of exterior and interior it was more maintenance required than anything but ....

The job was so poor it was unbelievable, they are lucky i wasnt there to pick it up with her. Water stains all over the car and windows, wheels not detailed at all, interior not properly polished, barely hoovered.

Neither of us will be going there again.

11214

I've not found anyone that is as good as DnD, the only problem is there is little point to just pulling up for a wash as they're always busy, a phone call is a must imo.

mikeecho

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

The other half tried south coast valeting in little island, as it was handy. Went for a €25 job - Exterior handwash, dry, interior polish and hoover, quick detailing on the wheels .

Car was in decent shape in terms of exterior and interior it was more maintenance required than anything but ....

The job was so poor it was unbelievable, they are lucky i wasnt there to pick it up with her. Water stains all over the car and windows, wheels not detailed at all, interior not properly polished, barely hoovered.

Neither of us will be going there again.

I don't know what you were expecting, but for €25 I know I wouldn't be expecting a whole lot.

Outkast_IRE

mikeecho wrote: »

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

The other half tried south coast valeting in little island, as it was handy. Went for a €25 job - Exterior handwash, dry, interior polish and hoover, quick detailing on the wheels .

Car was in decent shape in terms of exterior and interior it was more maintenance required than anything but ....

The job was so poor it was unbelievable, they are lucky i wasnt there to pick it up with her. Water stains all over the car and windows, wheels not detailed at all, interior not properly polished, barely hoovered.

Neither of us will be going there again.

I don't know what you were expecting,  but for €25 I know I wouldn't be expecting a whole lot.

I would expect what they advertised no more, no less. €25 euro is not a bad sum of money for a wash, dry hoover and basic interior polish. For a professional setup with all the gear ready to go, thats probably 1 hrs work. The guy doing it is probably lucky if hes on €10 an hour.  

We said we would give a local business to us a shot and they fluffed it
 
If they had even performed the wash and dry correctly i would say something but the amount of water stains on the car body and on the windows was ridiculous. A car valet / wash who cannot wash & dry a car correctly is in the wrong business.

Colser

Anyone know how much the wash is at the Maxol on the straight road?

oppenheimer1

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

I would expect what they advertised no more, no less. ?25 euro is not a bad sum of money for a wash, dry hoover and basic interior polish. For a professional setup with all the gear ready to go, thats probably 1?hrs work. The guy doing it is probably lucky if hes on ?10 an hour. ?

We said we would give a local business to us a shot and they fluffed it
?
If they had even performed the wash and dry correctly i would say something but the amount of water stains on the car body and on the windows was ridiculous. A car valet?/ wash who cannot wash & dry a car correctly is in the wrong business.

You've identified the problem, it would take 1hr to do a decent job of what you described. ?25 is likely to only pay him for 15-20 mins.

Theres a reason why good places cost more, they can afford to give time to the job.

mikeecho

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

You've identified the problem, it would take 1hr to do a decent job of what you described. ?25 is likely to only pay him for 15-20 mins.

Theres a reason why good places cost more, they can afford to give time to the job.

I'm not defending South Coast Valeting, but anytime ive used a valeting service in a shopping center etc, i've always been disappointed.

Despite the hassle at times, its a lot better to do if yourself. I found over the years that i'm more likely to find paint blemishes, scratches/chips etc and be able to combat them before they become something worse.

However when i am in the mood for a full detail, i'll book it in and pay my mortgage on it, at least i'll know its done right.

But for day to day valeting, i'd much prefer to do it myself.. in fact wifey reckons that it relaxes me, a bit of me time, doing things at my pace. and something to be proud of at the end.

Outkast_IRE

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

You've identified the problem, it would take 1hr to do a decent job of what you described. ?25 is likely to only pay him for 15-20 mins.

Theres a reason why good places cost more, they can afford to give time to the job.

Yeah, lesson learnt by this experience anyway.

Would usually do it myself, which is probably better anyway as you can spot issues with the paintwork and rectify it early.

Colser

Colser wrote: »

Anyone know how much the wash is at the Maxol on the straight road?

Think it's €9 with a free coffee.
I get (well pay for) the chamois dry etc too so I usually pay more but I think the basic wash is €9.

Donne

What about the lads beside the Wilton shopping Centre?

Are they any good?

Luap

Was in O'Donoghues in Wilton at the weekend.

Terrible really - fella with the sponge using the same one for the wheels as for the bodywork and only did the sides of the car. Bonnet missed etc.

Won't be going back in a hurry.

D'Agger

mikeecho wrote: »

I don't know what you were expecting, but for €25 I know I wouldn't be expecting a whole lot.

You certainly wouldn't expect water stains on your car, you wouldn't expect that from a €7 wash

Roesy

Anyone try Alphasud? There's one in Blarney which would be fairly handy for me if they were any good. They've a few other places too I think.

GavRedKing

Roesy wrote: »

Anyone try Alphasud? There's one in Blarney which would be fairly handy for me if they were any good. They've a few other places too I think.

I used the one in Centre Park Road about a year back, they done a good job in fairness. Cant comment on the ones in Blarney or Midelton though.

Even though the Centre Park Road site is closer to me, I still use D&D every time I'm getting a wash.

SteelyDanJalapeno

So can I rock up to D and D in the morning and get a maintenance wash there and then while I wait?

GavRedKing

TiltedBrain wrote: »

So can I rock up to D and D in the morning and get a maintenance wash there and then while I wait?

Yup, Saturdays are usually pretty busy so I'd go early.

Hoping to get up there myself at some stage actually.

D'Agger

Any recommendations for places in Little Island that would do car valeting?

Would like to put the car in while I'm at work

Outkast_IRE

D'Agger wrote: »

Any recommendations for places in Little Island that would do car valeting?

Would like to put the car in while I'm at work

I have a reccomendation to stay away from South Coast Valeting, i wrote about it on the previous page on this thread.

D'Agger

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

I have a reccomendation to stay away from South Coast Valeting, i wrote about it on the previous page on this thread.

Saw that, I see Alphasud are 15mins out the road towards Middleton so might pop there after work someday.

Have a wedding next Friday so want to get a proper job done on it, might schedule it in for the day before with D&D

Outkast_IRE

D'Agger wrote: »

Saw that, I see Alphasud are 15mins out the road towards Middleton so might pop there after work someday.

Have a wedding next Friday so want to get a proper job done on it, might schedule it in for the day before with D&D

Yeah the next time i dont have time to do it myself alphasud are my destination

washwell

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

Is the brushless wash in Blarney still going?

It has just been upgraded and is now the castle carwash. It has wheelwash brushes a self service bug spray and a spot free rinse so you get no water marks. Also a free vac if you get the €10 wash