once the temp goes below freezing you should not wash your car by hand. the water will freeze and you are taking a risk of scratching your paint. just take it through a brushless car wash with a underbody spray, its hard to get your car looking clean in the winter, but its better than scratching your paint up.
Is it ever TOO cold to wash?
Hey everyone,
I live in upstate New York and it's starting to get cold outside. Last week I washed my 6 and waxed it, but after some rain this week it's already got some spots on it. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some wintertime tips on keeping my car nice.
I have heard people endorse washing and giving a good wax before it gets too cold and then running through a brushless automatic car wash and wipe down the doors before they freeze shut on you. But, I rather wash my beautiful car by hand.
It's about 40 degrees out right now and I was also wondering if it is ever TOO cold to wash my car by hand and wax it. I'd wash it outside and bring it in the garage to dry and wax it after it warmed up a bit. If anyone has some tips/advice for me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
-Matt
I live in upstate New York and it's starting to get cold outside. Last week I washed my 6 and waxed it, but after some rain this week it's already got some spots on it. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some wintertime tips on keeping my car nice.
I have heard people endorse washing and giving a good wax before it gets too cold and then running through a brushless automatic car wash and wipe down the doors before they freeze shut on you. But, I rather wash my beautiful car by hand.
It's about 40 degrees out right now and I was also wondering if it is ever TOO cold to wash my car by hand and wax it. I'd wash it outside and bring it in the garage to dry and wax it after it warmed up a bit. If anyone has some tips/advice for me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
-Matt
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
If you have a heated garage then it would be fine to go through the car wash (touch less only). Then drive home put it in the garage and wipe it off with a damp towel then let it air dry. Then wax and polish. When waxing in the winter watch for the wax drying too fast with the humidity being so low don’t let it sit for too long and your fine.
If you have a heated garage can't you just wash your car by hand?
Only if you don't mind getting your garage wet.If you have a heated garage can't you just wash your car by hand?
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Actually, I washed my car once when it was above freezing, but in the middle of the wash the temperature dropped several degrees (yeah, that fast) and the water started freezing on the car as I was rinsing it. So I drove it into my garage and after the ice melted I dried it off.
So, yeah, it can get too cold to wash your car. :yesnod:
I'm in the same quagmire. I want to keep my 6 clean, but it seems too damn cold to handwash it outside!
I wash my vehicles in the garage all the time. Last winter I washed it and didnt have any problems (first winter in new house).
You know...i'm just so anal about how clean my 6 is that I will give that a try. The only problem is that lighting in my garage is terrible so I won't be able to see as much.I wash my vehicles in the garage all the time. Last winter I washed it and didnt have any problems (first winter in new house).
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Do you all have drains or something in your garage? Also, I have a two car garage but there's a divider in the middle, if I parked in one of the spaces I don't see how I'd have enough room to walk around the car, rinse it and wash it without getting water all over the place and me. Then I'd end having huge puddles of water in my garage that could turn to ice over the night if the temperature drops enough. I guess I'll have to deal with a dirty 6 for a few months and just pamper it every week in the spring/summer.
No, but I figure if I do the first and last rinse outside and do the two bucket method in the garage, it shouldn't be too much water on the ground. I'll keep thinking it through, if I ever do it, I'll let you guys know how it went and what the outside temperature was.Do you all have drains or something in your garage? [/b]
My uncle lives in a complex with an underground heated garage area. They have one port that was designed just for washing your car, complete with hose and vacuum.Do you all have drains or something in your garage? Also, I have a two car garage but there's a divider in the middle, if I parked in one of the spaces I don't see how I'd have enough room to walk around the car, rinse it and wash it without getting water all over the place and me. Then I'd end having huge puddles of water in my garage that could turn to ice over the night if the temperature drops enough. I guess I'll have to deal with a dirty 6 for a few months and just pamper it every week in the spring/summer.
[/b]
Looks great and nice exhaust.
Nice wheels...
Any pictures from the side?
Any pictures from the side?
Nope, no drains. I have a 2 1/2 car garage. I still wash my vehicles in these cold months as I do in the spring/summer time.Do you all have drains or something in your garage?
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I've washed the MS6 twice since its been cold here. I just make sure my garage is nice and warm before I go washing. Power washer and leafblower still works like a charm. lol. When I'm done I just open the garage a lil bit and blow the water out to the driveway. This last time I washed it, I forgot to blow the water off the bottom of the garage door, so when I opened it and drove out, the damn water dripped all on the car again. lol.
Hey everyone,
I live in upstate New York and it's starting to get cold outside. Last week I washed my 6 and waxed it, but after some rain this week it's already got some spots on it. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some wintertime tips on keeping my car nice.
I have heard people endorse washing and giving a good wax before it gets too cold and then running through a brushless automatic car wash and wipe down the doors before they freeze shut on you. But, I rather wash my beautiful car by hand.
It's about 40 degrees out right now and I was also wondering if it is ever TOO cold to wash my car by hand and wax it. I'd wash it outside and bring it in the garage to dry and wax it after it warmed up a bit. If anyone has some tips/advice for me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
-Matt [/b]
I suppose one hint that its too cold to wash the car is when the water is freezing as it comes out of the hose.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I have the same wheels, but my car's Redfire. Check my avatar and the link to 'my garage' in my signature.Nice wheels...
Any pictures from the side?
[/b]
Or the hose could be frozen..
Seriously, if you can get the water to flow, and the car is going to be out in freezing temps, especially overnight, expect frozen doors in the morning. Usually no damage, unless you're Hercules and the doors are stuck bad. Other than frozen doors, I cant think of other problems associated with icing up the car.
I washed my 6 when it was still a bit warm, maybe 50 outside, then I gave her a nice coat of Rejex that I borrowed from work... body, exhaust tips, glass, and front hubcaps. Yea, she looked real pretty when I left her. We'll see how the Rejex handles the winter since I'm not home driving her.
Seriously, if you can get the water to flow, and the car is going to be out in freezing temps, especially overnight, expect frozen doors in the morning. Usually no damage, unless you're Hercules and the doors are stuck bad. Other than frozen doors, I cant think of other problems associated with icing up the car.
I washed my 6 when it was still a bit warm, maybe 50 outside, then I gave her a nice coat of Rejex that I borrowed from work... body, exhaust tips, glass, and front hubcaps. Yea, she looked real pretty when I left her. We'll see how the Rejex handles the winter since I'm not home driving her.
Thx! Check my garage or the link in my sig for more pics. Don't be afraid to wash your car, it's worth it!Nice wheels...
Any pictures from the side?
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G
For granted, I live in Dallas, TX so freezing weather happens but it's not common. When it does get around the 40's or 50's, I will sometimes still do a handwash but I wear waterproof gloves (Google: Sealskinz Gauntlet). If it dips below freezing and I really have the itch to wash )very rare I might add) then I will use a rinseless wash in my garage.Thx! Check my garage or the link in my sig for more pics. Don't be afraid to wash your car, it's worth it!
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1 - 20 of 43 Posts
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