How to Properly Wash Your Car in Cold Weather

David Fermani said:
Guess what everyone?? It's winter time again and I think we should all revisit this thread in remembrance. I know I am seeing that I'm no longer able to wash out in my driveway in Florida wearing shorts and a tee shirt these days.
Click to expand...



tiny-violin.jpg
 
thanks for this video! it's great to see a pro in action so I can try to imitate your actions, though I'm sure I won't get the results!





anyone know which MF wash mitt that is?
 
My winter wash consists of using a pre-treatment of 1 oz ONR and 1 oz car wash soap with 2 gal water in a garden sprayer at the coin op a couple miles from home. Pre-treat then power wash as normal (soap, then rinse), followed by 1 oz ONR in 2 gal water and microfiber towel to dry. The salt and grime seems to just roll off when power washing. After I get home I use BFWD All Finish Paint Protection as my go wax in the winter applied with an ONR wrung out microfiber towel for a refresh coat of wax and Meg's Ultimate spray wax on top of that. Of course, I only do this when the temps are above 40 and I use vinyl gloves to keep the water from drying and cracking my hands at cold temps. I prefer Collinite paste wax in the summer, but have to switch to synthetic for ease of use during the winter and to prevent marring. I have a black GMC truck and the wife has a white diamond Buick. I use the same process on both and notice little to no marring. YMMV
 
Great video Marc!

I wait until it hits 33* degrees and wash my car in the garage, QD it with an ONR/OID/OCW mix, and dry everything before squeegeeing all of the water out.

Now, if the paint was protected with Opticoat or Optiguard, would a touchless tunnel-wash or coin-op touchless powerwashing with soap and water work?
 
Leadfootluke said:
Great video Marc!

I wait until it hits 33* degrees and wash my car in the garage, QD it with an ONR/OID/OCW mix, and dry everything before squeegeeing all of the water out.

Now, if the paint was protected with Opticoat or Optiguard, would a touchless tunnel-wash or coin-op touchless powerwashing with soap and water work?
Click to expand...



A very good way to do it!

David Fermani has shown how well Opti-Coat stands up to harsh washes like touchless washes and Dawn washes, which is why I think for a daily, Opti-Coat could be perfect as it might allow for a relatively safe touchless wash routine.
 
I must've missed this thread when it was posted... great vid, Marc!



I have a totally different way to wash vehicles in the winter. I usually run the garage thermostat up to around 70 degrees and go back out in half an hour or so. :whistle:



When I built my secret Lair 16 years ago I spent more time planning the garage than I did the rest of the house. Finished and insulated, door sweeps, floor drains, hot n cold running water and a 75,000 BTU Reznor hanging in the corner. Yeah, you have to dig the crud out of the drain pits once or twice a winter but we all have our crosses to bear.



Face it, all a guy needs is a nice garage with a cot, microwave, fridge and a coffee can in the corner. For some reason the wife insisted on frivolities like bedrooms and bathrooms. Go figure. With an attitude like that it's a good thing I fired her.



TL
 
I had missed this as well. The beauty is that it is the same basic process at a different temperature. It just shows you can do something in the winter if you really wanted to do it. At 25 F, I doubt there is a real long line.



If I tried doing the buckets in the back seat, they would be rolling around sideways on the seat. I would have to try to strap them in trunk.
 
TLMitchell said:
I must've missed this thread when it was posted... great vid, Marc!



I have a totally different way to wash vehicles in the winter. I usually run the garage thermostat up to around 70 degrees and go back out in half an hour or so. :whistle:



When I built my secret Lair 16 years ago I spent more time planning the garage than I did the rest of the house. Finished and insulated, door sweeps, floor drains, hot n cold running water and a 75,000 BTU Reznor hanging in the corner. Yeah, you have to dig the crud out of the drain pits once or twice a winter but we all have our crosses to bear.



Face it, all a guy needs is a nice garage with a cot, microwave, fridge and a coffee can in the corner. For some reason the wife insisted on frivolities like bedrooms and bathrooms. Go figure. With an attitude like that it's a good thing I fired her.



TL
Click to expand...



You're the man. If I'm ever traveling through NE Ohio, I'm hitting you up so I can stop and get a nice wash in. That's an awesome set-up to have and I'm extremely jealous.
 
Bunky said:
I had missed this as well. The beauty is that it is the same basic process at a different temperature. It just shows you can do something in the winter if you really wanted to do it. At 25 F, I doubt there is a real long line.



If I tried doing the buckets in the back seat, they would be rolling around sideways on the seat. I would have to try to strap them in trunk.
Click to expand...



Surely have to make sure things are strapped down properly! It's all about doing it right after all; not fast and sloppy.
 
MarcHarris said:
You're the man. If I'm ever traveling through NE Ohio, I'm hitting you up so I can stop and get a nice wash in. That's an awesome set-up to have and I'm extremely jealous.
Click to expand...



You're welcome anytime you're in the neighborhood. I'm about 10 minutes off the OH Turnpike. Gotta watch out for Amish horsecrap on the road though. Sure can ruin detailed wheelwells in a hurry!



TL
 
TLMitchell said:
You're welcome anytime you're in the neighborhood. I'm about 10 minutes off the OH Turnpike. Gotta watch out for Amish horsecrap on the road though. Sure can ruin detailed wheelwells in a hurry!



TL
Click to expand...



Off 80? How far east? I was born in Cleveland and even went to OSU for a year out of high school. I've been back to Cleveland a couple of years ago to visit a buddy of mine and had a nice time.
 
MarcHarris said:
Off 80? How far east? I was born in Cleveland and even went to OSU for a year out of high school. I've been back to Cleveland a couple of years ago to visit a buddy of mine and had a nice time.
Click to expand...



I'm about an hour east of Cleveland, about halfway between CLE & Youngstown. I'm hiding back in the woods near a little burg called Southington.



TL
 
Great video Marc, very informative...with the winter we are having this year, I can wash my car everyday
 
I started looking into different buckets and Gamma lids, thanks to your video. Never realized there were so many different kinds or places to buy them. Any recommendations or insight on what works best?



Adam
 
A.Bursell said:
I started looking into different buckets and Gamma lids, thanks to your video. Never realized there were so many different kinds or places to buy them. Any recommendations or insight on what works best?



Adam
Click to expand...



Thanks for taking a look and I hope you found the video helpful Adam.



I'm not aware of there being multiple versions / types of Gamma Lids, so I can't comment too much on that issue. As long as it's water tight, you should be fine.
 
MarcHarris said:
Thanks for taking a look and I hope you found the video helpful Adam.



I'm not aware of there being multiple versions / types of Gamma Lids, so I can't comment too much on that issue. As long as it's water tight, you should be fine.
Click to expand...



Maybe this is easier than I thought. Probably different vendors all selling the same product, just with slightly different descriptions. Guess I'll just shop for the best deal. Thanks!



Adam
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top