Winter washing question
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 543
From: San Angelo, TX
Winter washing question
I am just wondering how you all wash your cars in the winter? Would it be bad for me to go outside and spray my car with the water hose in 21 deg or colder temps? I hate all the salt that is all over my car and I am just edge'n to wash it.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 498
From: Boston, MA
IMO if you're driving it thru the Winter (as I am mine) then go to the "all cloth" car wash with undercarriage spray @ least weekly to keep the salt off.. your paint's getting rubbed with dirt and salt when you're clearing off the snow & ice anyway, so the car wash is the least of our worries.
4th Gear Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,249
From: Utah
You need to go to a touch-less carwash that also sprays underneath the car. They also have the big 'ol dryer at the end of it. It's not nearly as good as a hand wash, but it'll do. Main thing is to get that salt off from underneath the car.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 543
From: San Angelo, TX
I hate this salt and what it does to the cars. Luckily, I am moving to Texas in March and can't wait to get out of these salty roads!!!!!!!
Thanks for the info, I think I will go to a brushless car wash and get it cleaned.
Thanks for the info, I think I will go to a brushless car wash and get it cleaned.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 269
From: Illinois
When it's below freezing, I take two buckets of soapy water w/ hand mitts to the car wash. I spray the car down with their soapy water via the hand wand. I have to do the complete cycle, because I can't stop the timer. I then quickly wash the car with the stuff I brought - one bucket & mitt for the wheels & underside and the other for the top and sides. I then pay for another cycle and rinse with regular water then the DI water.
Don't overfill the buckets or they will splash over when traveling in your trunk.
Don't overfill the buckets or they will splash over when traveling in your trunk.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,110
From: Milwaukee
IMO the amount of $ spent on a carwash everyweek after 21 weeks of winter (about like it is in Milwaukee) At $16 a wash you may as well buy a $500 beater because it will pay for itself in 2 winters. Then you have peace of mind
6th Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,005
From: Canton, Georgia
When it's below freezing, I take two buckets of soapy water w/ hand mitts to the car wash. I spray the car down with their soapy water via the hand wand. I have to do the complete cycle, because I can't stop the timer. I then quickly wash the car with the stuff I brought - one bucket & mitt for the wheels & underside and the other for the top and sides. I then pay for another cycle and rinse with regular water then the DI water.
Don't overfill the buckets or they will splash over when traveling in your trunk.
Don't overfill the buckets or they will splash over when traveling in your trunk.