It hasn't been above 32 degrees here for what seems like forever and my truck looks horrendous. Multiple snow storms and tons of salt on the road. To make matters even worse I don't have a garage. Well I desparately want to wash the salt and wheel dust off but not sure the best way of doing this during the winter months. In the past I ususally go to the car wash at night and bucket wash it. Any good reasons not to do this? Man I wish we had some of those indoor carwashes around here.

 

I go through the same thing up here in nothern WI only 32 degrees is a vacation. I have some trouble going to those indoor carwashes because they have pressure washers that spray way to hard. I like those high quality indoor car washes that you spend 20-30 dollars that do a very good all around job. It does cost alot but you should be picky about your 30,000 dollar plus investment.

 

Even with temperatures not in the same realm of what you guys experience, this time of year, I do the same thing.

I'll fill my 2 buckets up with water from the house -- typically hot water. One with my wash solution and the other with fresh water. A couple of el-cheapo lids for the buckets and toss them in the back -- tied down to avoid spillage of course. From there, it's about a 5 minute drive to my local wand wash which also utilizes heated water.

I'll cash out around $8 in quarters and go to work with high-pressure water. Once the first cycle runs out (I typically focus on knocking off as much 'goop' as I can with the first cycle), I'll wash, using my standard two-bucket method (starting at the top first... pay ULTRA-special attention to the wash mitt and keeping it clean -- frequent rinses in the #2 bucket) on about half of the truck. From here, I'll repeat my method (quarters -- wand rinse -- let the cycle expire). I'll wash the second half. Again, repeat the procedure.

On my last round (around $6 later), I'll go over the entire truck with the spot free rinse. This isn't a chemical mix with my local wand wash but rather simple softened water (I've seen this guys' set up). It's low pressure and thus, I typically end up feeding a few more quarters in to get a long run time. I'll pay attention to body creases, crevasses, seals, and any other place where the other water may be present and would have the potential to run down the truck leaving white streaks (our water is hellish here -- nearly crunchy with CaCO3!).

I'll probably attempt to 'rough dry' it at this point. Not to perfection but, not slack either. If ice is forming, I'll abort mission and drive home... Again, top to bottom. Dedicated towels for lower panels and gritty areas.

Once home, the truck goes straight into the garage. I may (or may not) have to let the water droplets that are on it thaw... once thawed, I'll go over the truck with Poorboy's Spray and Wipe and wipe the entire thing down. The addition of S&W here adds just a touch of lubrication. Again, I'll start at the top and work towards the bottom. Remember, you just drove the truck and thus you've probably picked up grit and grime which can harm your finish if you're not careful.

Once done with that, I'll dress tires.

After tires, I'll QD the entire truck. This will safely help me to remove any over spray from the dressing as well as add a slick/glossy appearance.

A things to consider using this method...

1. You're taking your vehicle to an area where the concentration of 'grit, grime, and sand' is VERY high. Pay special attention to EVERYTHING that you do around your paint. Things as simple as accidentally spraying the ground can kick up sand and grit which adheres to your paint which is wet from the water. This, in turn, will get stuck in your mitt and can present problems.

2. Pay attention to your selected wand wash. Most 'wand wash' establishments don't use reclaimed water (or at least around here they don't). Choose a wand wash that is clean and well-lit. This will help you get your vehicle properly cleaned.

3. Be careful with the wand! Changes in pressure and maneuvering around that clumsy wand can lead to you bumping the METAL tip against your paint. It only takes one goof to scratch it! Like was said earlier, it's a $30,000 truck ... take care of it!!

4. Ice! For one, your safety should be considered. Many wand washes have heated floors that keep ice build up away however; some don't. Skate appropriately!

A second factor on ice is to not dry your truck off when the water has turned to ice on the paint. Ice can scratch. It's a solid. Allow the truck to thaw before wiping it down if ice crystals have formed. Also, from a windows, power locks, and other moving equipment standpoint -- you should allow thawing. A little ice in a power locking mechanism will keep it from being a power locking mechanism.

5. Pack $5's and $1's and have enough quarters to get you through the entire thing. It's always better to have too many quarters than not enough. Once you've soaped it down, it's tough to have to pull it out and head down to the local mini-mart to buy a cup of coffee with that $50 bill you have so that you can get some smaller bills for more quarters... (yes, I've been there and done that).

6. Use copious amounts of common sense and don't get in a rush. For one, I wash at night to avoid the 'no buckets' rule. I've never heard a word doing this and have talked with the owner several times. As long as no one is waiting, I think he's fine. Check your local place before bucket washing... some places frown BIG TIME on this... No rushing! Do a good job! It's dark, use the light to attempt to identify missed 'blotches'. Again, do a good job. Rushing or worrying about freezing only makes things worse. PATIENCE!

--RP--

 

i leave a hose in the basment and wait for a sunny day..(still in the 30's) and just go for it. do the whole wash outside cant feel my hands after but its all worth it. when im dont ill just bring the house back to the basement and place the ends where the sump pump drains out. works perfect. the key is the sun. it helps. dont do partly cloudy its gotta be all sun

 

Thanks RP for the write up. Lots of good tips. One question though...my old man always told me not to wash with hot water, says it breaks down the wax. This an urban myth or something to be concerned about? I've been using NXT paste.

 

Well... Honestly, I've never really thought of that but, here's my take.

To a point, I think your old man would be right but, the water that I'm utilizing isn't 'HOT', it's warm. I suppose we could look at it in the same light as the sun beaming down on your paint; sure, it's not great for it and it certainly degrades some level of protection on your paint but, then again, any time any abrasion (washing etc) is done to the paint, you're looking at doing the same thing.

For me, I'm going to continue to utilize warm water to wash... I just don't see enough loss in doing it that way to justify changing...

Good thought though... definitely a good perspective to consider.

RP

 

I did the same thing. After the recent snow, I went to one of those do-it-yourself-spray wash places, and took the high pressure spray, and washed all the salt off, then rinsed. Yesterday, temps reached 42, so I washed and waxed the truck in front of my house. Don't feel bad about not having a garage, I can't get my truck in my garage. If I did, everything, and I mean everything would have to come out.

First chance you get get some wax on the truck, and after snows rinse the salt off as soon as you can.

And you could find one of those hand wash places that takes your vehicle inside and wash it..

Luck to ya,

 

I did the winter wash deal and though it looked good, my windows were frozen shut for two days. Yea I know that I should have dried it off better but the garage heater went out on me and it became too nipply for me.

 

I've put two coats of NXT on since September so I think I'm ok for a little while longer. May have a chance this weekend at parents house to wax er up again in a garage.

I knew this would happen, went Saturday night washed off the salt and iced it up real good, then the truck sat all day yesterday. Not clean how I like it, but not nasty salt covered either. Last night we got maybe an inch, inch n half of LIGHT snow. Out go the salt trucks and I'm back to square one all over. Drives me nuts that people freak over a little snow, just let the sun melt it!

 

Just bought an 06 a week and a half ago and its full of salt and muck, looks like hell and its also too cold to wash. Came up with the idea of the self wash the other day, but rockpick gave me alot of good ideas, thanks.

 

I hate the winter. I dropped into the low 70's and we actualy had a chance of rain. The worst part is the bikini numbers are way down.

 

i have a 50 gal water heater..most have a drain spigot on the bottom for a garden hose...

i leave the hose and all the wash gear in the furnace room so its nice and warm

when it gets "acceptable" temp wise outside i use just the hot water..

i can usually wash the car and truck with no problems

and theres nothing like hot water for those major "salt boxes"

but it is a hassle draining and wrapping hoses for storage...


but if you have lots of $$$$$ you could always have a shower valve plummed in your basement and run a copper line outside.... just for car washing (like i want to do)....mix hot and cold for the best of both worlds

i plow with my truck and it sure is white sometimes when i get home....



...zap!

 

I usually just go to the drive-thru car wash at the Shell station. They let you have a discount on the car wash if you buy at least $10 in gas. I went tonight and bought $21 in gas and thought I'd take my truck through the wash. Well, I happen to know the girl working there, and she gave me a "WORKS" free car wash pass. Can't beat that can you? I'll have to stop by there more often.

 

maybe next time you'll get the "works" and get the truck washed.

 

I think she's married now. But she's a hottie!