Cleaning vehicles in cold, cold weather?

[kaval]

Are there any chemical properties of ONR that would make it more resistant to freezing?

[UpNorth]

Originally Posted by kaval

Are there any chemical properties of ONR that would make it more resistant to freezing?

I can't answer that question specifically but can share an experience that speaks to its properties. I haven't tried to do a full blown ONR wash below freezing, but I have tried to use the ONR in its quick detail strength to help me remove a nasty bird bomb. It was probably about 20 degrees Farenheit that day. I'm sorry to say the ONR as a QD froze pretty darn quickly. I was able to remove the bird bomb, but I had a frozen water mark from the frozen ONR until my next full wash.

[Asad_A203]

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Originally Posted by kaval

Are you using at least warm water in your ONR mixture? I\'ve been doing this at -15 temps and have had no problems in the garage.

\r\n\r\nSure have but the mixture turned freezing cold after 10 minutes. That is about the same time it started to freeze up.'

[Asad_A203]

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Originally Posted by itb76

Winnipeg is much colder than Wisconsin or Michigan. If it\'s much below 25F I\'d suggest using a touchless car wash, then go straight home and park inside and hope your windows and doors don\'t freeze.

\r\n\r\n In winnipeg we haven\'t had a day above -15C this whole week, my car registers -4F (american car) when I start it up in the garage, so it is quite a bit about freezing. I think I will just need to use the touchless, if I find some time i will try with a heater and see how it works. Chris from eshine said ONR is only effective up until around -5C without needing a heated garage, so I think unless I get heat running in my garage (massive amounts), I will need to just use the car wash.'

[itb76]

Originally Posted by UpNorth

I hit the touchless wash, try not to freeze my hands off while wiping down the door jambs and cross my fingers, as I park outside 24/7...

So did I, until about a month ago I put my racecar into a rented storage unit so I can park inside. Why didn't I do that five years ago?

Originally Posted by kaval

Are there any chemical properties of ONR that would make it more resistant to freezing?

No, the only advantage to ONR as far as freezing goes, is you use a lot less water. It doesn't get deep into your windows and doors to freeze them. But the car surface still has to be above freezing for a wash.

[Harry Houdini]

How do some of you guys heat the buckets of water? I want a unit or units that would heat water to 31c as quick as possible while having the gritt guard inside < optional
will be heating 3 buckets at the same time 1 wheels, 2 for paint

[SShine]

When it gets cold, I just put a sweater on

[MSIGuy]

I feel your pain. I'm a few miles south in Bismarck, ND and its been between 0-10f and I don't have a garage. I've got my ONR in the mail should come tommorow and I don't know how the heck I'm going to use it... I'm going to see if I can borrow my friends garage.

[BigLeegr]

Originally Posted by Harry Houdini

How do some of you guys heat the buckets of water? I want a unit or units that would heat water to 31c as quick as possible while having the gritt guard inside < optional
will be heating 3 buckets at the same time 1 wheels, 2 for paint

Quickest way would be to fill the buckets with hot water from the tap. If you think it will freeze before you use them, it's probably too cold to wash anyway.
If you "just have to" use the buckets and want to get something to heat the water while outside, there are "water bucket" heaters that can keep the water above freezing. There are even heated buckets (heater is built into the bottom of the bucket).


A warm car (paint) is more important than warm water, IMO. If the car is freezing, it will cool the water fast and you'll have ice before you wipe.

As to washing in the winter (and I've said this many times) find a "pay by the minute" place and do a proper wash. It shouldn't cost more than $10-$15.00, unless you are slow or waxing as well.

[Asad_A203]

Originally Posted by MSIGuy

I feel your pain. I'm a few miles south in Bismarck, ND and its been between 0-10f and I don't have a garage. I've got my ONR in the mail should come tommorow and I don't know how the heck I'm going to use it... I'm going to see if I can borrow my friends garage.

Probably same weather as me dude, don't bother man. Unless the garage is heated, it will freeze. My car came straight from the heated carwash (2 minute drive away) to my house. During that time I had ice formed all over my car from the temperature, the ONR seemed to be working initially with the hot water, but after cleanning one body panel, and the water turning slightly colder, it started to ice sheet.

[MSIGuy]

Yeah, that's lame. We're looking at 20f temps here now, which is pretty tolerable, but still probally too cold to wash the car. Think I'll just have to go to the coin-op...