How do you handle the winter?

**Romans5.8** · 10-16-2013, 08:09 PM

I've been looking around and searching; and apologies if I've overlooked it. I've seen a lot about waterless and rinseless washes; but what about dealing with a FILTHY car?

Like this picture (just pulled from google);

Unfortunately, it's a reality for my daily drivers once or twice a winter. Temps could also be below freezing. What would you all do in that situation? And for those who don't live in a climate with snow; a car can look like that after just a few miles of driving. It's the slushy nasty mix that happens with salt/cinders melt the snow. So it's corrosive, nasty, gritty stuff. This is not a situation of just sheer neglect.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

John

**wrb_subie** · 10-16-2013, 08:20 PM

i use touchless in the winter about twice a month. I live in Indiana so I can wash my car up until nov and again in march. Ive had my car for 2 years and it still looks brand new. The touchless doesnt do a great job but knocks a bunch of salt off.

**Romans5.8** · 10-16-2013, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by wrb_subie

i use touchless in the winter about twice a month. I live in Indiana so I can wash my car up until nov and again in march. Ive had my car for 2 years and it still looks brand new. The touchless doesnt do a great job but knocks a bunch of salt off.

When you say touchless, you mean like a touchless automatic?

I considered that. Though many of them close when it's really cold, I supposed they shut the water off to prevent freezing! There are usually some that are open, though.

**wdmaccord** · 10-16-2013, 08:23 PM

take it to self serve and power rinse it. If you do it late at night, you can probably take your buckets in there and do a 2BM. Or if you can get it rinsed really well, then follow that with a rinseless wash.

touchless automatic soaps will lessen the life of any sealant you have applied. Keep that in mind.

**swanicyouth** · 10-16-2013, 08:25 PM

I put on a lot of warm clothes and drag all my gear to the pay n spray. Nobody is there (too cold) so I look like a freak basically paying to use their water to do the whole deal.

If its above freezing, I'll just do it at home and enjoy the luxury.

**zmcgovern45** · 10-16-2013, 08:31 PM

I hibernate...

... but really, I visit the coin-op power wash and knock off the vast majority of the dirt and then do a rinseless wash in my garage when I get home (since the coin-op power wash is literally across the street)

**Romans5.8** · 10-16-2013, 08:32 PM

Thanks for the posts, guys!

I live in a rural area. It's not hard for the coin op wash to be empty ALL the time. Even on a beautiful summer sunday afternoon there are booths available.

I know the harsh detergents in the touchless will ruin sealants; but I generally wax frequently in the winter; and I usually wax before forecasted snow. Try to stay prepared to handle all the nasty stuff.

**Vegas Transplant** · 10-16-2013, 08:51 PM

I shy away from RW's and WW's myself. I'll brave the cold to have a freshly blinged whip.

Winter prep with Collinite.

**AutowerxDetailing** · 10-16-2013, 08:53 PM

I have to walk through our laundry room to get to the garage. Last winter I was eyeing the hot water spigot for the washer every time I walked by... It looks to be the same thread pattern & diameter as a "normal" outside hose spigot. I wonder if anyone has tried this before with a hose rated for hot water use?

**Romans5.8** · 10-16-2013, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Vegas Transplant

I shy away from RW's and WW's myself. I'll brave the cold to have a freshly blinged whip.

Winter prep with Collinite.

They were all out of whips so I just bought a car. Er... Yo.

Hehe. I think I'll do the coin-op setups. Sounds easy enough. That's kind of what I was thinking but I wanted to see if there where any tips I hadn't thought of or heard of!

Always hate the way the roads are. Luckily though, I am far 'south' enough that we still get a lot of rain in the winter, which washes away the grime on the roads; until the NEXT snow!

Originally Posted by Nicholas@Autowerx

I have to walk through our laundry room to get to the garage. Last winter I was eyeing the hot water spigot for the washer every time I walked by... It looks to be the same thread pattern & diameter as a "normal" outside hose spigot. I wonder if anyone has tried this before with a hose rated for hot water use?

It is the same standard hose thread. That's an interesting idea though; but not feasible for me.