Washing the car, in this weather???

[monte]

Well I had quite a long drive yesterday and passed at least 3 gritters on the various motorways. Anyway the car is filthy to say the least, although it is covered in snow still.
Is it ok to just get the hose out, blast off the snow, and give the car a hand wash? Any tips? Should I be using cooler water/shampoo mix in the bucket?. Hot water is a no-no i'm guessing?
Thank you in advance!
 

[paulk]

snowfoam ...then pressure wash then snow foam again...your car will be covered in road salt....be carefull you dont scratch it to death mate

[182_blue]

If your pipes arent frozen then just do as per normal

[JPC]

make sure you drain the pressure washer and hose lines/pipes afterwards too, to avoid any of your kit freezing! ;)

[andrewparker]

What's the point? In this weather I just hose it off, seems very little point making any effort if it's going to be ruined after a few hundred yards of driving.

[john_o]

bit of fairy liquid and a sponge should do the trick  



















 
JOKING !

[animal]

bit fairy and a sponge should do the trick  
 

[Sits back and waits for the fall-out from that one...] 

[Blake-R]

Tell you what mate, be careful it's not to cold. I made this mistake on friday, it was colder than i thought it was and the car ended up freezing. I have ice everywhere. I'd be surprised if the same didn't happen to yourself.

p.s be careful if you cleaning on a concrete floor, as the water off the car ended up freezing the floor also, and almost put me on my ass a number of times lol.

[JPC]

bit fairy and a sponge should do the trick  



















 
JOKING !

you had me doing this in the office!  

[john_o]

3 weeks of road grime and a trip to Scotland and back this weekend, its now so dirty Im scared to bathe her  

(although it does seem to 'self clean' once it gets really bad and sheds alot of it), car was cleaner after the motorway yesterday than the day before!)

[Gene Hunt]

..........same here & i hate a dirty car.All i've been doing is wash the rubber floor mats & my alloys & windows/lights etc.I gave the body work a  good couple of coats of wax/polish late in the year & it's still beading up.Loads of water down the doors + freezing temp = frozen door handles.I'll leave mine till it warms up a bit.  

[paulk]

imdefoleaving myn for now...the previous owner has done a great job car beeds well..ill book it in for a pro job ready for summer..but it gutting seein your pride and joy minging on the drive

[JPC]

Id advise people to avoid doing a "contact" wash as much as they can in this weather with the salt and grit about.

If the car is well protected, then a snow foam (or similar pre wash) and high pressure rinse will get the majority of the crap off the car.

Maybe once every two or three washes, when you can spare the time, give it a full wash taking your time with two buckets! ;)

[BeezerDiesel]

I always think the car has a different kind of coolness at this time of year as the road salt makes it look like a bit of a battlescarred road warrior! The way the salt follows the aerodynamic flows of the car looks mean. Then hey presto, on Top Gear last night they did exactly the same thing with an F1 car using paint and light effects as art.
Ladies and Gentlemen you are currently driving around in works of art..........I'll get my coat......

[182_blue]

i have to say while the snow and stuff is on the road i dont bother to much