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      11-13-2014, 03:06 PM   #1
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Winter Car Washing

Apologize if this is on the site - couldn't find via search.

Anyone have suggestions for washing the car during the winter? Is the best worst option a touchless car wash and no towel dry?

Thanks
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      11-13-2014, 10:54 PM   #2
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I just go to those self serve pressure washer places and just accept that in the winter the car won't be perfectly clean.
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      11-14-2014, 07:08 AM   #3
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wait for 45 degree day and wash it quickly
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      11-14-2014, 07:16 PM   #4
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If you have access to a garage, use ONR.
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      11-14-2014, 09:12 PM   #5
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^^ This
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      11-16-2014, 08:53 PM   #6
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I would use a do it yourself car wash with the high pressure nozzle. I bring two five gallon buckets close to full with hot water. I put in my car soap into the buckets after they are filled and put the lids on. I use the first cycle to suds up the water and rinse the car as well as possible just using the rinse setting. I then wash the car with the two buckets using a microfiber mitt. After use another cycle to rinse off the car. I then use a water blade to get off most of the water and work quickly to dry it off with microfiber towels. I will dry the door jambs and trunk area to get any residual water and debris off. I bring my other chemicals if I need to clean the interior with. Then I can throw all the towels and mitts into the now empty buckets to transport home. This works best if you go early morning or late night when you will have more time since I can take an hour or more. Some may say this is too much work but why be lazy on the BMW. In that case just buy a Chevy and never wash the damn thing!
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      11-16-2014, 09:06 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rubber_ducky
If you have access to a garage, use ONR.
Does anyone else have experience with this product, good, bad, or otherwise? Okay known issue with using this in a clear bra?
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      11-17-2014, 09:41 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rubber_ducky View Post
If you have access to a garage, use ONR.
Completely agree - I buy ONR by the gallon.

I use a technique very similar to the "updated" Garry Dean Wash Method.
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      11-17-2014, 08:35 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rubber_ducky
If you have access to a garage, use ONR.
Why "if you have a garage? " can you not use this product if washing outside our at a car wash self wash bay?
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      11-18-2014, 08:59 AM   #10
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It can certainly be used outside, and even in the sun.

I just think garage/winter because of the elements...

It's currently 9 degrees with a windchill of -12 outside (and a balmy 50 in my garage).
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      11-18-2014, 11:42 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milpar34 View Post
Why "if you have a garage? " can you not use this product if washing outside our at a car wash self wash bay?
I use this on a weekly basis in my condo.

You can certainly use it outside, but the point is to stay warm in the winter so you DON"T HAVE TO go outside. LOL

anyways, I use a liberal amount of this stuff (1.5oz per 2 gallon), just to make sure I don't end up with scratches. There's a WAX and SHINE version, that's the stuff I use. Love it.

I also use the 2 bucket wash method, make sure to rinse the mitt in clean water before dip it back to the soup bucket.

If you wash your car frequently, you should be fine. I have opticoat on my car and this ONR + Opticoat = 20 min wash. wheels = another 20 mins. so you can get everything done in 40 mins.
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      11-18-2014, 01:24 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M4NACE
Quote:
Originally Posted by milpar34 View Post
Why "if you have a garage? " can you not use this product if washing outside our at a car wash self wash bay?
I use this on a weekly basis in my condo.

You can certainly use it outside, but the point is to stay warm in the winter so you DON"T HAVE TO go outside. LOL

anyways, I use a liberal amount of this stuff (1.5oz per 2 gallon), just to make sure I don't end up with scratches. There's a WAX and SHINE version, that's the stuff I use. Love it.

I also use the 2 bucket wash method, make sure to rinse the mitt in clean water before dip it back to the soup bucket.

If you wash your car frequently, you should be fine. I have opticoat on my car and this ONR + Opticoat = 20 min wash. wheels = another 20 mins. so you can get everything done in 40 mins.
Thanks M4NACE!
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      11-18-2014, 01:43 PM   #13
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My only comment on Optimum No Rinse or similar...

You want to SOAK SALT ENCRUSTED AREAS thoroughly before wiping the crust off. When dealing with that heavily soiled areas, take lots of time, use more water/soap than expected, and do small small sections before rinsing the mitt out.

ONR is an excellent option for winter time cleaning - but you will drag salt across your paint if you aren't very careful.
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      11-18-2014, 02:43 PM   #14
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An area many don't give consideration is protecting their bodies during the cold weather detailing sessions. For some great tips, read this piece from Detailed Image: http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...-on-your-body/
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      11-18-2014, 09:29 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M4NACE
Quote:
Originally Posted by milpar34 View Post
Why "if you have a garage? " can you not use this product if washing outside our at a car wash self wash bay?
I use this on a weekly basis in my condo.

You can certainly use it outside, but the point is to stay warm in the winter so you DON"T HAVE TO go outside. LOL

anyways, I use a liberal amount of this stuff (1.5oz per 2 gallon), just to make sure I don't end up with scratches. There's a WAX and SHINE version, that's the stuff I use. Love it.

I also use the 2 bucket wash method, make sure to rinse the mitt in clean water before dip it back to the soup bucket.

If you wash your car frequently, you should be fine. I have opticoat on my car and this ONR + Opticoat = 20 min wash. wheels = another 20 mins. so you can get everything done in 40 mins.
Amazon has ONR Wash & Shine or ONR Wash & Wax. Which one do you recommend?
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      11-19-2014, 07:41 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milpar34 View Post
Amazon has ONR Wash & Shine or ONR Wash & Wax. Which one do you recommend?
I've only used wash and shine and it works great. If you have the car waxed prior to the winter weather, you can probably skip the waxing product.
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      11-19-2014, 07:43 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milpar34 View Post
Why "if you have a garage? " can you not use this product if washing outside our at a car wash self wash bay?
Joz nailed it. I suppose that it depends on where you live, but a garage can generally normalize the environment to the actual temperature vs the "feels like" temp.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joz132 View Post
It can certainly be used outside, and even in the sun.

I just think garage/winter because of the elements...

It's currently 9 degrees with a windchill of -12 outside (and a balmy 50 in my garage).
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      11-19-2014, 01:33 PM   #18
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I was thinking about touch less car wash like 2-3x a week and autoglym aqua wax every 2 weeks, as it gets extremely cold here and would be really difficult to stand outside. What do you guys think?
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      11-21-2014, 10:35 AM   #19
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I know it is sacrilegious but I think I'm in the touch less boat too...unfortunately. Just too cold, not realistic. I will not let them towel dry.
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      11-21-2014, 11:03 AM   #20
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Great article.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ddas View Post
An area many don't give consideration is protecting their bodies during the cold weather detailing sessions. For some great tips, read this piece from Detailed Image: http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...-on-your-body/
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      11-21-2014, 11:09 AM   #21
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I was in the touch-less car wash camp for years. This past summer I did a total insulation project on my garage to include putting in a new garage door with the most insulation/UV available. The temps are currently in the mid 20's and the garage during the daytime is tending to be in the mid to upper 40's. A big improvement over what it was last winter. I do have the Race Deck Flooring also and I'm sure that not having to stand on concrete is a help also. This winter I'm hoping to skip the touch less car washes and do more inside.
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      11-23-2014, 11:16 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milpar34
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubber_ducky
If you have access to a garage, use ONR.
Does anyone else have experience with this product, good, bad, or otherwise? Okay known issue with using this in a clear bra?
I have the original and the carnuba variant. Both great and works awesome!
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