washing during winter

[richtung]

Morning Folks,

As the colder weather starts taking over, it reminds me to get the car prepped for winter!

However, once prepped, what do you guys recommend i should do in terms of keeping the car clean during the colder months?

Obviously, i stand the greatest chance of causing scratches despite using mitts due to the grit and other crap being stuck to the car at this time of year. Also, i don't want to create an ice rink on the drive way as i share it with a neighbor and causing a slipping hazard.

Would it be best to go to the local petrol station and use their jet wash (no brushes or anything) to wash as much crud off as possible?
If i do this every 2-3 weeks until the freezing weather clears and can go back to my usual maintenance washes.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Rich

[andrewparker]

I'd try a citrus pre-wash, combined with a jet wash, something like Valet Pro Citrus, or Auto Finesse Citrus Power.

[Eccie]

Rich

I spray the wheels with wheel cleaner (even though they are sealed well) and snow foam the car once a week and blast it with the power washer. I try and touch it as little as possible, maybe only washing it once every 3-4 weeks (but I don't do anything like your mileage)

If I can I will hose the car down nightly before shoving it in the garage for the night (I've got great water pressure ) ours is white GTi and its surprising how much dirt you can stop sticking/drying to the car, by doing this

[stealthwolf]

I step down my washing to maybe every 3-4 weeks. If the car is adequately prepped, the LSP should be durable enough and certainly in my experience it can last me 4 months through winter.

It's a nice feeling though to see a road full of dirty cars and yours is the cleanest and shiniest there.

[richtung]

thanks the the responses guys 

I live 100m from a Tesco garage so i will check out their jet wash first.

However, on a related note, does anyone know of a unit in the Manchester area that i can do my winter prep at? I would only need it overnight....

Thanks

Rich

[Eccie]

thanks the the responses guys 

I live 100m from a Tesco garage so i will check out their jet wash first.

However, on a related note, does anyone know of a unit in the Manchester area that i can do my winter prep at? I would only need it overnight....

Thanks

Rich

Why don't you PM Jay he's north of Manchester.

Let me know when your up.........photo shoot with your rig ?

[rich83]

thanks the the responses guys 

I live 100m from a Tesco garage so i will check out their jet wash first.

However, on a related note, does anyone know of a unit in the Manchester area that i can do my winter prep at? I would only need it overnight....

Thanks

Rich

Why don't you PM Jay he's north of Manchester.

Let me know when your up.........photo shoot with your rig ?

I think you have your 'Dicks' muddled up mate. 

[richtung]

thanks the the responses guys 

I live 100m from a Tesco garage so i will check out their jet wash first.

However, on a related note, does anyone know of a unit in the Manchester area that i can do my winter prep at? I would only need it overnight....

Thanks

Rich

Why don't you PM Jay he's north of Manchester.

Let me know when your up.........photo shoot with your rig ?

thanks Eccie.. however, Jay is just a tad too far me
erm.. i dont have a rig?

rich

[Eccie]

My bad
Wrong Rich - too many Dick's on this forum and I'm now one of them

[Top Cat]

 

[rich83]

My bad
Wrong Rich - too many Dick's on this forum and I'm now one of them

I cant argue with that... 

 

[winrya]

I tend to wash mine once a month during winter but to stop white worm from taking my monzas I give them a quick spray with apc and give them a wash including arches once a week.  Road salt will eat through the monzas and the dodgy vw wheel arches in no time.

[andrewparker]

I live 100m from a Tesco garage so i will check out their jet wash first.

I just find that never makes a difference, especially on a black car. I've taken mine to my local garage a few times, jet washed it down, it has looked great, then dried exactly the same as before. My car is really well protected too.

[richtung]

I live 100m from a Tesco garage so i will check out their jet wash first.

I just find that never makes a difference, especially on a black car. I've taken mine to my local garage a few times, jet washed it down, it has looked great, then dried exactly the same as before. My car is really well protected too.

Mines black as well Andrew.. i guess in my mind, washing the salt and any crud off is better than not doing anything at all!

Rich

[Top Cat]

I used to wash it a lot less, and just jet wash it as often as I could. Then when I did wash it I always used the snow foam as this lifts the dirt away from the paint.