Hello From Spokane (Winter Driving Question)

camarodriver23 · 07-18-09, 11:27

Hey i am new to autopia it is a great sight tons of very helpful information i just got into car detailing just a few months ago and enjoy it the information i have found on this sight has helped me a ton... looking forward to meeting you all.

I do have two questions what would you recommend i use on my car in the winter? The winters up here are pretty bad and i want my daily driver to be protect as much as possible and i do not want to spend a mint doing it. the car will be out side most of the time and suggestions would be great.

How do you keep all the salt and chemicals off the bottom of your car in the winter?

Thanks

AuAltima3.5 · 07-18-09, 02:27

I don't think its keeping the salts off, its frequently cleaning the undercarriage, especially above 40-50*F.

You can get some rubberized undercoating and spray it on, or have a shop apply their own undercoating. Not sure how effective those are though.

scary bill · 07-19-09, 12:12

For winter protection a good wax or sealant should be used to protect the paint. I would recommend Collinite IW 845 for a wax. It is what I use for the brutal MN winters. I have heard god things about other products as well, but 845 works great for me on 2 DDs. The reason I settled on 845 was cost, OTC availability, durability, and it sheds dirt pretty well.

The second thing to do is get washes as often as possible too keep the salt from sitting on the paint. I would recommend coin op touchless washes followed (if possible) by Optimum Rinseless Wash (ONR). Do some searching on this ste for more on how great ONR really is. If the coin op is out then try an automated NO touch wash with a blow dry and undercarriage spray. That will help get the salt off most of the car.

I would also recommend a good undercoating.

I drove a 2001 ranger from 2001 until 2009, there was little rust on truck. All of the body panels were clean along with door jambs. The only rust was the frame and some small spots on the undercarriage. It was very superficial and didn't bother me at all as the truck will probably look good for many years to come fo rthe new owner.

I hope that helps.

Accumulator · 07-19-09, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by camarodriver23

..I do have two questions what would you recommend i use on my car in the winter? The winters up here are pretty bad and i want my daily driver to be protect as much as possible and i do not want to spend a mint doing it. the car will be out side most of the time and suggestions would be great..

Collinite 476S or 845 (and a limited-slip differeential and 4 Blizzak snowtires

).

Quote:

How do you keep all the salt and chemicals off the bottom of your car in the winter?

I wash it off at every wash, and yeah, that can be a bit of a job.

DIY undercoating with stuff from http://www.autoint.com/ and/or
Eastwood Company: Auto Tools, Body Repair, Classic Car Restoration, Paint Guns, Powder Coating, Soda Blasters, Fender Rollers works well and isn't that hard to do. Things that need protected in a "cleaner" manner will do well with https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/amh.aspx

Oh, and Welcome to Autopia!

camarodriver23 · 07-19-09, 11:25

Thanks for the advice i have heard really good things about the collinite products so i will have to give them a try... Where can you buy them locally i know you can buy it online but paying 10 bucks for the product and 7 bucks for shipping is a pain...

Accumulator · 07-19-09, 05:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by camarodriver23

Thanks for the advice i have heard really good things about the collinite products so i will have to give them a try... Where can you buy them locally i know you can buy it online but paying 10 bucks for the product and 7 bucks for shipping is a pain...

Some Harbor Freight stores, some autoparts stores, some marine equipment places. Even some autobody/paint supply places have it....call around.

camarodriver23 · 07-20-09, 02:39

So i have called around and no one in the area carries collinite

which is a total bummer Spokane carries nothing even though it is a big town it is like living in the middle of no where oh well i guess i will have to ship it in for the winter. How often do you put wax on in the winter?

Accumulator · 07-21-09, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by camarodriver23

So i have called around and no one in the area carries collinite..oh well i guess i will have to ship it in for the winter. How often do you put wax on in the winter?

It's probably worth ordering.

A coat of Collinite 476S or two lasts me *all* winter. Ohio winters aren't exactly mild either