I have the new car paranoia. I did take my sweet E in to a car wash once, last week. I brought my own stuff for them to use, and asked if they would just hand wash it. Well, they assured me it was all touchless, and so I went ahead. They were using their stuff, which I'm sure had tons of grit and dirt on it by then, though, to wash it before it went thru.

So I'm gonna continue to do it myself when I can. Only one problem. It's pretty tall, and I'm very short, sitting in a wheelchair lol. I can reach just the tip of the windows. Hardest part is the hood and windsheild. I have one of those grabby things, that grasp objects, but it's a bit tedious trying to dry the window that way.

I see there are extension poles with wash mits on them, I'm wondering how to maybe use one of those. Though, I probably should just find a good car wash that will good products and do it by hand, I just don't know any locally. Wondering if that would be really costly, too. But I guess I'll have to at some point, else my hood is not going to get thouroughly cleaned lol.
I enjoy waxing it myself, mostly, so maybe that's what I should do.
But just wondering if anyone has seen an extension device that also curves to get on top of the roof area and such.

I'm thinking that it might be problematic to use one of those extended wash wands from a sitting position. I've never tried this myself, but the exertion of holding out the extended wand, add to that the water pressure, then add the force you need to exert against the skin of the vehicle to wash the dirt and grime away, you might need some burly upper body strength to get the vehicle clean.

There is a "touch less" car wash near me. It's not touch less of course, but has these long strips that sort of shimmy up and over the car. Seems to work OK.

I hope I don't sound pessimistic.

I would think that from a chair you should be able to wash the entire Element except for the roof. Go to a good auto parts store, Advance Auto, Pep Boys or some other very large chain. Explain to the manager what you're looking for and I'll bet they can either show you something they have in stock or they can order you something that you can use. You can be sure you're not the first person looking to wash a tall vehicle that isn't easily reached.

What you can try for now would be getting something like a Swiffer and putting a wash mitt on the end of it. I wouldn't apply much pressure on it, but for the windows and sides it should work great. The hood should work fairly well too, but could be a little tough to scrub hard without breaking a section of swiffer pipe.

I am suggesting a swiffer because the mop head is actually rubber so it won't harm the paint if it hits it, plus the head has a universal joint on it. You can move up to something designed for abuse like a sander with a universal joint and a 5 foot handle on it, they are used for sanding drywall after tape/spackle has dried. Same setup, attach a wash mitt to it.

So long as you can lock the chair wheels you should be able to apply as much force as you like, but it shouldn't take much to wash your E. :)

Good luck and let us know what sort of setup you can come up with.

As for the roof... if you have a 4wd are you able to remove the rear sunroof? If you can, can you reach up through there with my mops design contraption and at least do a partial washing of it? That's how I get to the roof to wax it properly. :)

HTH.

My do-it-yourself suggestion - which comes from my Disabled Vet friends - is to talk to a good janitor supply company where you can by extendable poles like window washers use. They can equip you with every tool you might need to reach every part of your E. There is even one that breaks in the middle so you can extend it up and wash the top from your chair. These are good sturdy but LIGHT poles and very high tech. They have attachments to change light bulbs, clean ceiling fans, air vents - everything "tall" you might need to reach from the ground. You may find the pole you get has multiple attachments available to use in your everyday life - not just for washing the E. Being around and helping my Disabled Vet friends has taught me that there is some really innovative stuff out there that has great adaptivity potential - a lot more than I ever thought. Like pro window-washer equipment for car washing.

Just an alternate idea - there should be "we come to you" car detail companies in your area. The ones here can even do a car at your work because they bring their own water and everything. There are also ones here which will use your supplies at your request and charge less for the service. You can also have them do specifically what you want done - maybe sometimes just a wash and other times a full inside/out detail. I know at least one company here gives a discount for retired people and disabled people - maybe some there do as well so don't be afraid to ask.

Most of these companies (or individuals) here do a great job because they are used to doing expensive cars and dealing with picky car owners. You won't have the fear of them using gritty equipment or dirty towels like you do at a drive-up car wash because you can specify they use your towels, brushes, sponges, applicators and wash mitt. It is definitely worth checking into - if even just for times you are just not able to do it yourself for whetever reason. Beats a drive-thru wash in every way, for sure!

Good luck and happy clean shiny E, no matter how it gets that way it always feels so GOOD!

how about buying the stuff you want it washed with and pay a local kid from the neighborhood to wash it.

My do-it-yourself suggestion - which comes from my Disabled Vet friends - is to talk to a good janitor supply company where you can by extendable poles like window washers use. They can equip you with every tool you might need to reach every part of your E. There is even one that breaks in the middle so you can extend it up and wash the top from your chair. These are good sturdy but LIGHT poles and very high tech. They have attachments to change light bulbs, clean ceiling fans, air vents - everything "tall" you might need to reach from the ground. You may find the pole you get has multiple attachments available to use in your everyday life - not just for washing the E. Being around and helping my Disabled Vet friends has taught me that there is some really innovative stuff out there that has great adaptivity potential - a lot more than I ever thought. Like pro window-washer equipment for car washing.

Good luck and happy clean shiny E, no matter how it gets that way it always feels so GOOD!

Thanks for the great ideas everyone!!! I had no idea there were tools like that, either. Just the flimsy clamping thing I have, that's supposed to be able to grasp glasses and such. I'm afraid the metal will slip and scratch. Speaking of which, I had a very narrow escape from a scratch today, with a disabled adaptive device..a lever to push myself up into the car by the D ring. Well, it slipped out, and my wheel went flying, after hitting the door. Yikes. But I got lucky, no blemish!

I'll have to look into that pole that breaks in the middle. THat sounds like just the ticket. I have a swiffer, too. That should work for the windshield.
:)

I've been using a device I got from my local hardware store. It's a very soft bristle brush on the end of an extension pole. I think it goes out to 15 feet but I only bought it for the brush-on-a-pole so I only use the first section which collapses down to about 3 feet. I use it on my red candy Dodge Charger so it will not hurt your finish.

I'm not in a wheel chair but I hate bending over to wash my cars. With this I can stand and reach the low areas as well as the roof.

Glenn

You might find what you need here.


http://72.10.47.74/uk2005/pro.php

http://www.ungerglobal.com/english/eng_retail/02b_remote/02b4_clean.html

You might find what you need here.


http://72.10.47.74/uk2005/pro.php

http://www.ungerglobal.com/english/eng_retail/02b_remote/02b4_clean.html
Thanks IRV! I knew there should be places online but I hadn't had time to look and my guys aren't the "buy online" types - even if they have computers they want to see it before they buy it :) I am gonna ask one of my buddies if the DAV has any handouts or booklets with assistive device information like this idea for reaching high places to change light bulbs and clean. They might have something that would help adapt the E even more for those in wheelchairs. I drive some Vets in chairs and they LOVE the E - it would be nice if I could tell them more about the adaptations available beyond the "usual" and standard stuff.

Another manufacturer of these sort of tools:


http://www.mrlongarm.com/

You might want to buy this stuff from a local distributor. Check with janitor supply, RV dealer or even a marine supply place.

Because these extension poles tend to be over-sized for UPS shipping costs can be high.

Also being in SoCal, I heartily recommend the 'hire a local kid' option.

you could even do it together. a thorough wash and interior cleaning will only take 1-2 hours, and I'm sure you will find a lot of local teenagers who will be happy to make $20 for it.

If you want the real pro detailing/washing, here in OC it runs $100-$200. you can usually find ads in pennysaver.

This brush looks perfect for the job:

http://www.meguiars.com/?car-washing-tools/Ultra-Plush-Wash-Mop

I to am in a wheel chair and I either don’t wash it (because I like the look of mud all down the side) or I have friend’s mom do it for me. She’s a professional detailer, she’ll do every thing but wax it for free (then I talk my friend into helping me wax it:D)