How to Properly Wash Your Car in a Michigan Winter

Thanks a lot guys. I know there are lots of questions about this topic, so I finally just made a video with the help of a great local photographer. If this video gets a lot of good feedback in the places I post it, and if there's a demand, I might try to create more "how-to" video about various topics.
 
great vid! you guys are good! cold washs suck and you did it w latex gloves :)
I was going to invest in some ice fishing gloves, but got lazy with my winter washes...
 
Superman09 said:
Very nice! You are definitely right on the cold weather being a distraction..... I just want to get the damn thing done and hope back inside the car! haha
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You HAVE to stay warm. If not, you won't pay attention, won't do a good job, and won't want to ever do it again.


kammi10 said:
yep.. i do a lot of the touch free washes in the winter simply b.c i would rather stay warm..
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Touchless washes are an option... but they'll strip your wax/sealant right away. They use very harsh products to chemically clean your vehicle without touching it (touch ones do too BTW), and nearly all car washes (touch or touchless) use "beading agents" in their wash water so you see water beading on your surface to give the illusion you still have waxed paint.
We all have to make certain sacrifices with car care (Lord knows I wish my Winter beater looked as good as my summer car), and I feel that through good research and knowledge, we can hopefully all make the right choices for our particular situations.


OnyxSSS said:
great vid! you guys are good! cold washs suck and you did it w latex gloves :)
I was going to invest in some ice fishing gloves, but got lazy with my winter washes...
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It really wasn't bad. I was working the whole time, I was dressed in layers, and I was using warm water which helps as well.


Dr. Teeth said:
Grit guards-- good idea!
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Grit Guards are a must buy for any washing regardless of the time of year. A two-bucket washing method with Grit Guards will do more to keep your vehicle swirl-free and looking new than nearly anything else.


LXFIVEOH said:
I got confused watching your video. Can you demonstrate again on my car?
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Sure will if given a donation ;)
 
haha, wow that was intense. I usually just do the "Dump $2 worth of quaters in and powerwash off as much crap as I can in 3 minutes" wash...then hop in and drive away
 
cjmatt said:
haha, wow that was intense. I usually just do the "Dump $2 worth of quaters in and powerwash off as much crap as I can in 3 minutes" wash...then hop in and drive away
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That's actually a good way to do it and isn't a bad idea until we get nicer weather. For those that want to see how to do a full wash though, I want to give people the option. Blasting off the majority of the grime and salt is certainly better than nothing, and can help keep your mind sane while it's still cold for sure!
 
Great vid. Is that your DD? I love those Saabs.

My method: Spray salt off at the quarter wash, drive home and put the car in the garage. I then use Optimum No Rinse, followed by a quick detailer. ONR is a MUST HAVE as far as car maintenance goes, IMO.
 
Marc@AutoLavish said:
That's actually a good way to do it and isn't a bad idea until we get nicer weather. For those that want to see how to do a full wash though, I want to give people the option. Blasting off the majority of the grime and salt is certainly better than nothing, and can help keep your mind sane while it's still cold for sure!
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What I have found works for me on my 245k mile beater is there is a quarter power wash down the street... I spray it down, then (if my car has salt ALLLLL over it) spray the brush they have (has surprisingly GOOD soft bristles) REALLLY well to get ANYTHING that is in it out of it... And then use the foam brush, keeping the car wet at the same time, then spray it off and for the next person spray the brush out... Take it back - park it inside - and dry her.


I'll take a pic - I've got it inside today as a matter of fact. lol.
 
Golden said:
Great vid. Is that your DD? I love those Saabs.
My method: Spray salt off at the quarter wash, drive home and put the car in the garage. I then use Optimum No Rinse, followed by a quick detailer. ONR is a MUST HAVE as far as car maintenance goes, IMO.
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Nope - gf's car... lucky lady gets to have her car properly cared for (which I believe she thoroughly enjoys)

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Just prior to Winter hitting, I coated her car as a test-vehicle. We only posted the article we wrote on the topic a couple of professional sites as these products aren't available to the general public. Here's out review:
http://www.autopia.org/forum/profes...initial-findings-observations-autolavish.html


I don't hate ONR, but I certainly don't love it. For non jet black cars and for cars with medium or hard clear-coats, it can be great. On softer paint, I just don't trust it as much as a traditional wash.


Quick86 said:
What I have found works for me on my 245k mile beater is there is a quarter power wash down the street... I spray it down, then (if my car has salt ALLLLL over it) spray the brush they have (has surprisingly GOOD soft bristles) REALLLY well to get ANYTHING that is in it out of it... And then use the foam brush, keeping the car wet at the same time, then spray it off and for the next person spray the brush out... Take it back - park it inside - and dry her.
I'll take a pic - I've got it inside today as a matter of fact. lol.
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I have to admit: that's a lot better than my beater is treated!
 
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Hasn't been polished/waxed since mid-October. This was just a quick quarter wash method like I said above. Not bad for a 98 with, like I said, 245k on it and original paint all the way around.
 
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