Auto Car Wash Advice Please

look what i just found in todays paper about this:
http://www.buffalonews.com/185/story/918809.html

 

X1

 

i don't think you realize just how cold it's been up here in the North. We've been in the mid 20's since Christmas. While washing your car with hot water would be nice while your washing your car, it's not going to help while drying it off.

 

I'm the jackass in the far bay in 20 degree weather doing mine.

 

had it scheduled to do it at schmidts for the rustolum. but they couldnt get me in till dec 2. By then it was already snowing and streets salted so canceled it. will have to check out carwell thought next fall.

 

http://www.carwell.com/

They got me in the same day i called at the beginning of November.

Took less than an hour.

 

I use the touchless car wash in a pinch, but I have had to have the trim on the roof re-attached after running it through last time. The big thing that kills me is it costs more and isn't half as clean as when I do it myself in the driveway. Winter roads in Utah are salty! I spray it off after a storm or driving in the snow. Then when it is warm give it the cleaning it needs. There's nothing like a clean truck!

 

cool!

 

Take a look at this place; http://www.stationautowash.com/

I considered it, but Leesburg is a bit of a hike for me. I searched for reviews of this place and read a few posts from Lambo and GT2 owners that take their cars there. The prices aren't bad but its not a touchless car wash.

 

Suprisingly it has been cold here in GA too. Yesterday was the first day in about a week it has gotten above freezing. It has been in the teens and twentys all week. Thursday is supposed to be 50! FINALLY!

 

When I lived in NOVA I worked a 1/4 mile from the Sams Carwash place. If the line (after some snow) wasnt too long, thats about the way I washed my truck. Sometimes it would cost me more than $6, but the end result was well worth it. Just be careful using the pressure washer on your tires. Its very easy to damage the rubber with the high pressure water stream.

 

I sucked it up....and went to the Cloister car wash today. I was able to get the external wash with the underbody blast ($15 damn expensive). This is NOT a touchless.
Damn sweepy, rubbery, twirly things all over my truck. Argh!! I know, I know... I just can't hack doing it myself in this cold weather. So, it's either live with the salt all over it or live with the scratches.

Come this spring, I'll have to get the buffer out and buff out the paint & wax it good.

It's not gonna stay perfect forever.

 

Heh heh, 20 degrees isn't cold. Your clearcoat can handle a splash of warm water at that temp. That being said, cold water and soaps works just fine to get the road salt off.

Living in VA you don't really have to worry about rust from road salt. It's not like your truck is taking a 6 month long salt bath each winter. Just DIY wash the undercarriage and body 1x weekly when salt is present. You'll be fine.

 

I'd take the scratched paint over rusted in a heartbeat. It is so much nicer to work under a truck and not have to break out the sawzall to change shocks...

The "laser" touchless washes seem pretty good. I used one when I was home on leave and got "salted." No brushes, just high pressure water/soap/etc.

 

Until now my last 2 trucks have been black and dark blue. I live in a salt infested area as well. I put them thru one of our real good car washes which is a pretty penny but havent had a scratch on either and it is not touchless. I do agree with a few scratches over the salt and rust potential. Rt now I have to search for touchless cuz I put a new cap on and they say 90 days til you hit a regular car wash with the brushes. I think since it is so cold it may have a better chance of cracking so I stick with freezn my balls off standing in a bay spraying it down. Cant wait for the spring and a good hand wash

 

I agree with NOT spraying the tires or wheels with water after they heat up. Wheel well is fine, but not directly at the wheels or the rotors.