washing car in the winter?????
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First make sure you get a good protectant wax or sealant on the car before winter. When it's below freezing I take my car to a spray wash place and rinse, soap it down (don't use the brush), rinse, and then do the spot free rinse. After this you don't want to use a towel to dry it because there will still be dirt on the car. I usually just drive around for a bit and then park it back in the garage. This won't get the car as clean as a handwash but I think it's much more practical than sticking my hand in a bucket when it's 20 degrees out. I do the rims by hand inside the garage.
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Rubber gloves are a must, but if you're trying to do it in sub freezing temperatures, I guess try to be in the Sun (as opposed to the rest of the year when you'd try to be in the shade). :dunno:ecpskate2 said:
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Winter washing
I know the feeling - your car is covered with winter road. crud:ben: You're just wainting for a reasonably warm day to break out the bucket and hose.
First, don't use "steaming hot water." It's bad for the paint as the rapid change in temperature is bad for it.:thumbdwn:
Second, use 2 buckets - one for the soapy water and ther other for water only. After washing a small section of the car like the hood, rinse the mitt (don't use a sponge! :eeps: ) in the water-only bucket, flushing it by filling the mitt with water and allowing the water to flush out the grime. Wring out the mitt, and then start washing the next section.:thumbup:
As far as wax, I use Zymol for about 10 months of the year, and then switch to Blitz One-Grand for the cooler months. It lasts longer than the Zymol. Also, on the lower body panels I use a synthetic, long-lasting wax that I take off in the spring when I wax with Zymol.
HTH
impin:
I know the feeling - your car is covered with winter road. crud:ben: You're just wainting for a reasonably warm day to break out the bucket and hose.
First, don't use "steaming hot water." It's bad for the paint as the rapid change in temperature is bad for it.:thumbdwn:
Second, use 2 buckets - one for the soapy water and ther other for water only. After washing a small section of the car like the hood, rinse the mitt (don't use a sponge! :eeps: ) in the water-only bucket, flushing it by filling the mitt with water and allowing the water to flush out the grime. Wring out the mitt, and then start washing the next section.:thumbup:
As far as wax, I use Zymol for about 10 months of the year, and then switch to Blitz One-Grand for the cooler months. It lasts longer than the Zymol. Also, on the lower body panels I use a synthetic, long-lasting wax that I take off in the spring when I wax with Zymol.
HTH
impin:i can take my car to the dealer whenever its open to get it washed for free, or i can take it to this place down the street(charges around 12 bucks) its indoor hand wash place....do an awsome job of cleaning outside, vacuuming, and wiping windows....and i only got one thing to say to you idoc330ci....i hope your enjoying your nice weather....(which you prolly are ne ways....) :flipoff:
) :flipoff:
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Not sure where you are in VA, but a friend (another e46 fanatic) and I wait until the temperature is somewhat reasonable (at least 40/45F) and then head out to wash our cars using warm hose water ran from inside the house. It's really not bad w/ the warm water. A quick wash and dry is all that can be tolerated though. At least it gets all the road crap off the car.
ecpskate2 said:
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