How cold is "tto cold" to wash? And other winter wash questions

I

imported_RedlineIRL

New member
Below what temperatures do you all usually not wash? Is there any harm to a finish by washing it in colder weather?



Also, do you all use anything to keep your hands from contacting the colder wash water as much, such as a water proof glove insert for the mitt (if such a thing exists)?:nixweiss Do you all use warm water when washing in the winter months or just the water from the faucet? Besides not having your hands as cold, is there an advantage using one type of temperature water over the other?
 
Well you could try some neoprene gloves. Those might help keep the hands warm. I live in Cali so i don't have to worry about drastic temp changes. If it's not raining i can wash my car :)



Back when i used to wash my car in the mornings it would get pretty cold at times though. All i did differently was throw a long sleeve shirt on.
 
I am pretty lucky, I can go to a local wand wash with my 2 buckets and stuff and wash there, and it is heated somewhat. I think the coldest I ever washed in so far was probably below 30 F, maybe high 20s? I used lukewarm water so it wasn't absolutely freezing when I started but after drying my hands were already pinkish. The gloves thing would probably be a good idea.
 
The coldest I've washed was 33-34 degrees F. This was with ONR and not a hose. I actually had some wash solution start freezing on the bumper. Moving the car into the sun took care of that however. You definitely don't want to be using a MF and trying to remove frozen wash or rinse water.



I wash with warm water. From Scottwax, I learned about using jersey knit gloves with rubber gloves (bought from the grocery store) over them. Works pretty well.
 
Vroom makes a microfiber mitt(one of the dreadlock kind) on an extension pole that I saw at Target for like $17. I'm thinking about getting one for this winter and retrofitting it with a sheepskin mitt if I don't like the MF head. Not only would that keep your hands out of the water, but you could stand back from the car a little and not be as likely to get your clothes wet.
 
why not fill the bucket(s) with warm water from inside and then just rinse with the water from the hose?
 
2FF- 25F is my limit. Far too much icing when it's colder than that.



Does it get cold where you're located, Redline?





Search on "sealskinz" gloves. Search on "ONR" for use inside garage when it's too cold.
 
When the water ir freezing on the car it is too cold. Otherwise I will wash up to that point. Usually I just use ONR in my garage and I have a small space heater plus halogens to warm it up to about 50º
 
Unless it gets below zero my garage is usually at least 40 degrees inside and I just use ONR all winter long.....I love having the only clean car on the road when it is about 20 degrees outside.
 
Temp is a factor but so is the wind. I\'ll bucket wash outside only if it\'s 32* or above \'cause even warm water will freeze pretty quick.



I drag a hose up from the basement and you can avoid dumping hose water along the way by screwing the hose fitting together to create a closed-loop. Then you can avoid hearing snide remarks from the wife about getting water on the rug, kitchen floor, stairs, etc ....



I go to the wand wash to knock off the big chunks, rinse the undercarriage, and remove most of the salt. Then in the driveway, I use yellow neoprene gloves (cost about $1 anywhere) and warm soapy water unless it\'s really windy then it\'s inside an unheated garage with no center drain. I wash with Poorboy\'s Super Slick & Suds and I usually add an ounce or two of Poorboy\'s Spray & Gloss \'cause it adds some additional lubrication to the wash water.
 
I washed my Mustang the other day at 35 degrees F. Washing isn;' bad if you use warm water... drying can be tough.



I have 2 layers of Megs #21 topped with Collinite 845IW on the 'Stang, so when I take the nozzle off the hose and let it free flow over the car, the water mostly runs off. I did not have my Sonus Der Wunder drying towels with me ( they were in the Jeep, and my son borrowed it) so I took a couple of soft bath towels to dry the car.



I do take the leaf blower, disconnect the hose from the spigot, remove the nozzle, place a funnel at one end, turn on the leaf blower and blow the water out of the hose.
 
tom p. said:
2FF- 25F is my limit. Far too much icing when it's colder than that.



Does it get cold where you're located, Redline?





Search on "sealskinz" gloves. Search on "ONR" for use inside garage when it's too cold.
Click to expand...

In the winter, yes. It's atcually going to be in the low 30s in the evenings, which is when I usually wash my car. I guess I'll have to start washing during the day if the sun is not direct.





I may try the ONR. I'm still skeptical about using this stuff, I'm so used to using typical hand wash methods. I'm going to get some to use in harder to wash areas, and see how it works before trying it on the car.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top