how cold is too cold to wash your truck?

Car washes here in ND are enclosed so even when it's below 32 you can wash out of the wind and it's not too bad. But why bother if it's just going to freeze any water left on the truck? Or if you are going to get frost at night and it'll look like crap the next day anyway? Unless it's just so bad that I can't stand it I don't bother. I've washed it a couple times this winter. Can't wait for spring though!

 

120 degrees F that is insanely cold

 

I used to wash my Jeep in North Dakota in the Winter. I'm talking below zero. Word of advise if you do. Leave your doors open and dry the seals with a cloth before shutting them.......

 

I wash mine by hand if it's 35 or above. I also wear rubber gloves so I do not freeze my digits.

 

That's nice!

 

great idea but water freezes at 32 degrees so maybe just above 32 and you will be straight

 

LOL up where I am, "above freezing" can be a luxury this time of year. But all the the local car washes have heated water.

 

Anytime when it will dry before it freezes up. When it's cold out, I'll use hot water for the wash so it keeps my hands warmer.

 

Yes, you are correct. The water would turn to ice first, and then afterwards sublimate from the automobile. It cannot melt and evaporate, the temperatures are too low for that.

Fun fact - clothes on the line will usually dry faster in January than in July - sublimation at work.

That said, I apologize for leaving implicit what I should have stated explicitly.

 

I'm lucky .... we have an indoor heated carwash in town. They have the power washer and brush etc. You can even bring your own micro finer cloth or what ever you want. Down side is they charge by the minute so it ends up costing me between 7 and 11 bucks depending on how picky I want to be. But it's nice when it's freezing cold out!!!

 

The twice a year I wash it I have no trouble finding 70F+.

 

Y'all made me feel guilty. It's 60 degrees.

 

OP not being mean but WTF would you wash today? it was like 53 by my house today.

i won’t wash out side once it gets in the 50s. mostly because the water is to cold. i take it down to moms work and go in side and use hot steamy water. lol if it over 60 i’ll do it at home out side.

 

I only wash it when the mud starts building up on the chassis. And then the body is an afterthought, my main reason is to clean off the suspension and drivetrail. Pressure washers and hose spray nozzles are my tools too. Haven't used a brush or sponge since i first got my rig

 

You wash , wax and polish your truck every two weeks ?

 

I slipped on ice in the car wash bay and broke a finger last winter....Below 30 degrees....probably too cold!

 

I used to wash mine when it was in the 40's but i would wear neoprene gloves so my hands wouldn't go numb. Get some of those and your problems are solved somewhat

 

what about you’r shoes getting yet? lol mine always do so i wear sandals in the summer.

 

i like cleaning my truck so much. i’m trying to get a job at car max detailing cars.

 

I use the spray by he minute car wash in the winter. Sometimes i make it home unfroze and will wipe the water spots away.