Auto car wash and winter salt

Its winter ...and with the huge amounts of salt and brine that seems to be used any more on the roads here in the NE, Im in Pa.....those of you who don't/can't wash your trucks at home but use a car wash should be aware that in some area's, car wash business's are required to recycle some % of the water they use...It may be in the rinse cycle, or elsewhere, depending on how the system is set up. If this the case in your car wash the amount of salt cycles up and you are not doing your truck any favor..Check with the owner ,.....see if they do recycle. if so, ask how do they control the salt..common filters don't work for salt in solution....most car washes dont have expensive reverse osmosis equipment or hi tech membrane filters which are commonly used in the ultra pure water business for salt removal

 

jup, I notice the Rinse cycle water being dirty or not clear looking a lot of times, not many alternatives if you rent and don't have access to fresh water to wash, I would assume going to a High End type full service car wash would be the best course of action, the places where people take Porsches, Vettes ,Audis maybe less likely using 100% recycled water but will cost you a lot for a basic wash.

 

That's why I believe in purchasing the best, most durable waxes and sealants (or coatings) and doing the best wax job in the fall. In summer, there are almost always opportunities to wash-dry-quickwax to protect the paint. But winter is going to take its toll on our paint, and we won't have nearly as many opportunities to keep it clean and in top-notch conditions, so you may as well invest in solid pain protection to weather the winter months.

Now, I can't really speak to undercarriage cleaning because that usually falls back on the car wash and the recycled water point. As mentioned, it's probably best to take it to a higher end car wash and have them detail the paint and spray the undercarriage (if they even offer that).

 

I think high end car washs have a separate charge for cleaning the undercarriage when its a drive thru type, probably costs about $20 for outside and undercarriage. spray wand types $2.50 for 5 minutes with recycled water. I use the soapy spray on the outside and quickly underneath as best I can, than a quick rinse before times up at the wire.

 

This is why I don't take my truck through the car wash anymore during winter and just pay a trusted local detail shop to do a thorough exterior wash as needed. During summer I do it myself of course though

 

It is nice you have the extra money to pay someone to wash your truck during the winter.

 

Washing your truck with recycled water is better than not washing it at all, at least up here.

 

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Most of the car washes in this area (GA) advertise recycled water.

We don't have much salt in the south, but I could almost watch my vehicle rust when I lived in Montreal.
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Yup, that's usually the case. There's a touchless wash down the road from me, and the "Premium" wash sprays the undercarriage as you slowly drive into the stall. And, I think the regular soap/rinse jets are pretty low to the ground and eventually end up spraying the undercarriage anyway, just not the whole thing.

 

I typically go through the high end wash that's local here. I'm sure some of the water is recycled but all of their rinses seem to dry without leaving mineral deposits and the underbody wash is 2 stage. Costs $25 per month for unlimited washes so I just pay for the winter months.

Comes out clean though

 

is that in Spokane or Seattle?

 

Spokane

 

where at?

 

if figure recycled is better than nothing, if you go a few times a week that even cuts down more. When I see the white coated cars, I feel better about using anything over that. My only other choice is to not drive until spring.

 

The Mister Carwash on Division or near 7 mile both do the unlimited wash monthly plan.

 

is it a touchless car wash?

 

No, it's got rollers and brushes. I find touchless washes are usually so anemic they just waste water and money. You need force loosen things so the water can carry it off. The Mister Carwash is a bit forceful but it works and they'll even hand wax it after if you pay an extra amount.

 

this is how I figure it,i usuall y wont wash until the streets are dry,not worth it if I go thru the trouble of car washing then as im leaving dry right into a salty puddle or wet salty road

 

Couldn't agree more. I like to use touchless washes in the summer time since most of the "dirt" is minimal. But in the winter, I use the regular washes only when I have to (because of all the scratches they create).

Spring: minor swirl correction (if needed) and really good wax and sealant for that nice "Summer Shine"
Summer: touchless washes and quick wax/detailing wax
Fall: one more REALLY GOOD wax and sealant to last the winter
Winter: Minimal driving (I'll take the wife's car ), mostly touchless washes, but brush/roller washes if there's really heave dirt/salt/road grime