just wanted to know what you guys do in the winter, relating to cleaning the outside of your car. i know all the crap and salt from our roads will damage the paint and finish but how often should i wash my pritty new 08 :P

also would it be better to wash it myelf (i dont have a garage) or go to a car wash either no contact or by hand.

just curious what you guys do .

thanks

 

During winter, at least once a month, I take the Evo through touchless wash with undercarriage cleaning included. Otherwise I just wash it with high-pressure water/soap and a brush. I have no scientific basis for this cleaning schedule - I'm interested too on what other do to keep rust from eating away at our precious rides.

 

car wash by hands every week *_^

 

i take it to this underground mall to get it washed, about once every three weeks. I also get the interior vacuum / wiped as well, altogether about 35-40 bucks each time.

 

i was planing to do it myself but with the mix of freezing weather up here and the fact that i dont have a garage makes it kind of a pain

i have to take a look around i know there is a place nearby where they will wash your car by hand but dont know if their open year round... my other option is to go to the gas station and do a touchless wash... the only thing that bugs me atm is that in the 08 manual they say that it could damage the paint and finish. does anyone have info on that ... i know if somone asked they would probably say breathing on your car could damage the paint ... :P

 

personally i try to avoid those drive-through wash, i dont like the idea of having those gigantic toothbrush bristle looking things pressing up on all sides of my car.

 

yea those are definatly not an option but they have the ones that uses just water jets and no brushes. would still prefer doing it by hand ... damn you winter :P

 

I'm having the same problem and I'm a detailer lol. I found a good solution though. Go to www.autogeek.net and do a search for optimum no rise car wash. All you do is use a cap full in 2 gallons of water and wash like normal. You don't have to do a pre rinse or even it off after your done just dry it off and that's it. If your car is as dirty as mine you might want to use two buckets. One for the soap and water and one with clean water to dunk the dirty mit in after each panel.

 

My wife thinks i'm mental but I have a high pressure system that I run over the car every night before it goes in the garage just to get all the slush and salt off. Once every couple of weeks ill take it through the shell touchless.


p.s does anyone use car detailing sprays such as the platinum detailer,etc? how good are they?

 

And she still married you??

I need to get myself one of those pressure washers but I am extemely paranoid of stripping the paint right off... I can totally see my dumb *** making it snow with paint flakes...

 

Well considering she's a tad more mental than I we fit perfectly


As for the HPS I simply adjust the pressure and hold it further back just to be on the safe side. In the summer its awesome when you put wheel cleaner on the mags then use the pressure to make it look squeaky clean. me likey

 

i just go to the coin wash inbetween touchless washes at Shell every once in a while they have the ultimate + wash for 2 bucks

 

We have a touchless that just got built late winter last year that has all sorts of high tech stuff. I go there once a week... Though, I slacked off for a bit and now I'm gonna need some serious detailing when summer comes around... Salt/dirt/snow + white car = brown spots

And touchless is only bad when it has harsh chemicals, usually the ones that cost 4-5 dollars and still have as many "services" as the one like I use that costs 9 (undercarriage, high pressure wheel sprayers, wax, clear coat sealant, driers, spot free rinse etc)

 

just a heads up

Shell at Warden and 401 (south of 401 on the east side) has buy a car wash (with 25L gas purchase) and get a second ultimate deluxe wash free

guy said it is on till sunday

 

Check with your local car wash places. I purchased a deal the allows me unlimited washes (under carriage included) for $30.00 a month. I did it for 90 days and I just go whenever I want. I was spending more than $30 per month so it was a great deal for me!