Washing in Winter

[scarface]

Do you still wash your cars in winter? esp in these freezing cold temps?

My car is in a right state at the moment and needs a good wash, however its so cold, icy, snowing that i dont know if its worth doing it, and/or if it would damage the car to wash when this cold?

 

[CupraR210.DJM]

I still try and wash mine every 2weeks in the winter.
I washed mine last friday and as fast as i was washing it, the water was freezing on the ground. Quite difficult and funny trying to dry your car when the ground is like a skating rink and your sliding all over the place.

 

[Craig Senior]

I did mine at the weekend.

Took it down to Morrisons and jet washed all the crud off, then brought it home and washed it.

Fortunately it wasn't freezing at the time.

 

[Ibiza Dan]

I still try n do mine twice a week haha
Yeah it is a pain in the but it stops all the salt n crap getting stuck on my sills and in my arches, also i just like to have clean car when every1 else has a dirty1

Had to use warm water in a watering can for rinsing the other day as the hose pipe was frozen solid

 

[scarface]

i was thinking of taking it through a carwash, good idea or bad?

 

[warren_cox]

Fifth gear reviewed car washes this week and found them to be less damaging than jet washing with a garage jet wash or having it cleaned by hand by a 'hand car wash' place.

Supposedly the silicone blade that hand car wash places use drag grit across the car, and the garage jetwash brushes are little better than brillo pads.

I'd be inclined to swill the car down with an Arc jetwash if you have one, as you can choose to just use water / soap / rinse sprays to get the worst of it off. Problem is the road salt and grime sets so hard on the car it can become like a hard crust on the paint so be very gentle removing it.

I'm sure there are detailing guru's on here who will have a best practice approach to removing winter grime

 

[Damoegan]

I seen that review on Fith Gear to mate. Very interesting results.

 

[Prestige Polish]

That test annoyed me for a few reasons.

They should have done a 4th test showing the results when washed the detailers way with 2 buckets and a lambswool wash mitt.

Just because the car wash came out on top the paint was still a mess so it's far from safe.

The 'Hand Job' would have won it hands down had they not used that squeegee to dry the car.

I bet soon you will see drive through car washes advertising that they are voted the safest wash method by 5th gear.

A good idea for a test tho but they left it unfinished and open in my eyes.

Lee.

 

[warren_cox]

That test annoyed me for a few reasons.

They should have done a 4th test showing the results when washed the detailers way with 2 buckets and a lambswool wash mitt.

Just because the car wash came out on top the paint was still a mess so it's far from safe.

The 'Hand Job' would have won it hands down had they not used that squeegee to dry the car.

I bet soon you will see drive through car washes advertising that they are voted the safest wash method by 5th gear.

A good idea for a test tho but they left it unfinished and open in my eyes.

Lee.

I agree, if they had used a decent chamois at the car hand wash it would have beaten the car wash into second place. I didn't realise silicone blades were quite so damaging. I always used to dip mine in a clean bucket of water between each swipe, but I suppose that doesn't account for grit that may have landed on the car subsequent to washing it. I've also got a Meguiars drying cloth (looks like Microfibre) which I use after the blade, but to be honest I don't have hours trying to do a damage free job. THe state of Britains roads mean I'm fighting a losing battle with stonechips etc...

 

[Jace]

Every week regardless of the weather or condition of the car.

Just wrap up, wear a hat & get some waterproof gloves too, wellies help too

Ideally you'd have a jet wash to blast all the shyte off & wet the car, then Foam it down, let dwell for 5 mins & then rinse, followed by a normal wash using 1 bucket or 2, whatever floats your boat. Rinse & Dry.

In these temps I'd wait till lunch time though, as its always warmer then, less chance of freezing whilst washing.

& take care as the water on the floor may turn too ice still

 

[Ibiza Dan]

Every week regardless of the weather or condition of the car.

Just wrap up, wear a hat & get some waterproof gloves too, wellies help too

Ideally you'd have a jet wash to blast all the shyte off & wet the car, then Foam it down, let dwell for 5 mins & then rinse, followed by a normal wash using 1 bucket or 2, whatever floats your boat. Rinse & Dry.

This does not happen when its -6 outside unless you have some rather massive patio heaters to use

 

[ZBOYD]

Not washed mine since November But then i've not driven it much during December. The wheels are pretty cruddy and the shine is obviously dulled as it's covered in so much dust traffic film etc.

But at the moment it's so cold up here it's fighting a losing battle with ice. I'd rather leave it dirty for the time being, at most give it once over with my snow foam lance and rinse it off. Then give it a proper TLC job when it warms up a bit.

I think rushing at the moment just increases the chances of causing damage to the paintwork.

 

[olaf]

My car currently has some horrible sludge on the back of it!

It's been neglected. Need to give a VERY good wash at the weekend (assuming it isn't stupidly cold).

 

[Carr20vt]

Yep every week, Jetwash well, snow foam, rinse and two bucket method. Nice to have clean car when most others are covered in salt. My mk2 doesn't go far though.

 

[Dan1.6]

i try to was mine 3 times a week because of the salt on the roads

 

[PLuKE]

In this weather at the mo am not washing TBH. I have it a good polish used a sealant on the car. If the weather isnt to bad maybe every 2 weeks. But i do spray my alloys down every few days just to keep them looking good and not letting the salt into them.

Luke

 

[jonjay]

That test annoyed me for a few reasons.

They should have done a 4th test showing the results when washed the detailers way with 2 buckets and a lambswool wash mitt.

He shoots and scores!

Totally agree.

 

[DOLBY]

i bet most mainstream car shows have never even heard of the word 'detail'. detailing is still fairly uncommon, unless your an enthusiast. shows like fifth gear are generally watched by people that like cars, not paint enthusiasts...so to try and keep it simple they incorporated the most common cleaning practices that joe public use...i.i car wash, and the local polish hand car wash

 

[warren_cox]

I'd love to have my car professionally valetted (detailed), but the thought of doing it myself would push me over the edge. I would honestly rather watch paint dry. It's a bit like Christmas dinner - takes hours to make it, then its all over in minutes. All that work for next to nothing. Very fair point you make though.

 

[Prestige Polish]

It takes day's to perfect and last months you mean.