Where to Wash Bike in Arlington?

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  • August 5, 2015 at 9:41 pm #917186
    Jason
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    Ok, I know this is a dumb question for some people, but I live in an apartment building and have nowhere to wash my bike. I am not concerned with keeping my ride super clean/pristine, but looking for some place to wash my bike when it gets really dirty and gritty. I figured there must be other people with the same issue. I live in an apartment building with no outside hookups for water that can be used by anyone except maintenance. I am in Arlington and there has to be somewhere where people can go to wash their bikes. Heeeeeeelp!

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  • August 5, 2015 at 9:57 pm #1035338
    dkel
    Participant

    Carwash maybe? Gas station? Don’t those places have hoses lying around? It’s a good question; I pretty much just take the hose at my house for granted, I realize.

    August 5, 2015 at 10:06 pm #1035340
    mstone
    Participant

    four mile run?

    August 5, 2015 at 10:30 pm #1035342
    Vicegrip
    Participant

    bath / shower stall. don’t laugh a bike will fit. Simple green or the like for the greasy bits and automotive detergent for the rest of the bike. Wash, rinse and let it drip dry a bit before wiping down with an old towel. A paint brush is handy for getting into all the nooks and cranys.

    August 5, 2015 at 10:44 pm #1035344
    Jason B
    Participant

    ^^^^^
    I did that once and now I have a nice studio to myself and can watch all the football I want. :rolleyes:

    But honestly, I have done the bath before, fortunately it is a basement shower. If you are going to do it in there, be ready with can of comet and stiff brush or you will be watching all the football you want. Every slight little scratch in your tub will be nice grease line, but it cleans right up, so doable.

    But Come to think of it, in the garage I have used two filled buckets on rainy days. One soapy, one clean. Not the best, but certainly worked. With one of those park chain gizmos and warm water bottle with a nozzle, a can of wd40, all’s good.

    August 5, 2015 at 11:19 pm #1035346
    hozn
    Participant

    Don’t wash your bike. There is no need. Let it (any mud) dry and then just brush it off with a stiff brush. Your bearings will last longer.

    (I do use a wet rag on wheels and periodically on the frame.)

    Edit: and don’t use wd40 on a bike. Good lord, people! :)

    August 5, 2015 at 11:27 pm #1035347
    AFHokie
    Participant

    I tried cleaning in the shower once and it looked like I murdered the hitchbot in my bathroom. Never-mind the creative maneuvers just getting the bike into the shower in my tiny bathroom…I don’t recommend except in a pinch.

    Now I’ll lay down a drop cloth on my balcony to run the chain through a scrubber & give the bike a wipe down, but for a thorough wash I rely on the kindness of friends with yards & driveways. Otherwise, I take my bike to a self serve car wash. Unfortunately most self serve car washes in the area are of the touchless drive-thru variety. The only self serve wash car wash I know of that has spray wands/brushes is the Shell Station at 6014 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church.

    August 6, 2015 at 12:56 am #1035350
    MFC
    Participant

    @Jason 121584 wrote:

    Ok, I know this is a dumb question for some people, but I live in an apartment building and have nowhere to wash my bike. I am not concerned with keeping my ride super clean/pristine, but looking for some place to wash my bike when it gets really dirty and gritty. I figured there must be other people with the same issue. I live in an apartment building with no outside hookups for water that can be used by anyone except maintenance. I am in Arlington and there has to be somewhere where people can go to wash their bikes. Heeeeeeelp!

    Make friends with a biker with access to a hose.

    I like the Bad Brains avatar, by the way.

    August 6, 2015 at 1:40 am #1035353
    peterw_diy
    Participant

    Buckets, brushes, and rags.

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