New England winter...

M

MattB

New member
I just had my car protected for the winter/detailed by an Autopian down here in the Williamsburg area (got_leather). The car looks great, and I want to keep it looking as good as possible through the winter. Problem is that I go home to the Boston area during December (I go to school down here in Williamsburg, home is in the Boston area). Due to the nature of New England winters, washing by hand is not a viable option. Automatic car washes seem to be bad too, so what is my best option to get salt and stuff off of the car during this time?
 
You could either use a touchless car wash or invest in some Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine (ONR). It's a rinseless wash method that I've used for the past two winters in the Boston area. I've used it down to 35 degrees (and I keep my car outside ... if your folks have a garage, that's even better).



Do a search on ONR ... you'll find a ton of info.
 
yup, I go through about a 2-3 month time where my car looks like crap. I have a heated garage this year, so I hope I can get some more ONR's in.



Steve



Bigpoppa3346 said:
Take it to the coin op to pressure wash most of the salt/winter crap off the car, come home and ONR it.
Click to expand...
 
Bigpoppa3346 said:
Take it to the coin op to pressure wash most of the salt/winter crap off the car, come home and ONR it.
Click to expand...

I live in the Boston area too and this is what I do. It's MUCH more pleasant to do the ONR wash inside a garage than outside though. Even if it's not a heated garage if you close the door and turn on some spot lights it will warm up a bit.
 
Will using a touchfree car wash strip the wax off the car? I know the soap they use is much stronger than normal stuff.
 
MattB said:
Will using a touchfree car wash strip the wax off the car? I know the soap they use is much stronger than normal stuff.
Click to expand...

I try to steer clear of even the touchless wash. I go to a self-serve booth and just use the sprayer to knock off the salt before going home and ONR'ing the car. I would use my own pressure washer at home, but it's not heated and also my driveway would turn into a sheet of ice.
 
I agree with Mikeyc, a coin-op (high pressure rinse only) should be more than adequate to knock off any heavy stuff prior to an ONR wash. Then enlist got_leather in the spring to take care of you for the summer when you can actually enjoy your paint in tip top shape.
 
After one month of driving in NH, my two black cars are absolutely filthy. Since I don't have a gargage, I just hosed them off at local DIY spray bay. I am not brave enough to try touchless car wash. I have heard some touchless wash uses Presidium Orthophosphate and hydrofluoric acid to clean the car. Now my friend suggests I should get the road film and dirt off the vehicle soon because the dirty road film is acidic in nature and it will eat away wax and paint. :werd:



Anyway, I am off to try one of the touchless car wash and I will post some pictures before and after. :buffing:
 
Another vote for a pressure wash in a bay then ONR. I always seal 3-4x with werkstatt or 4* UPP, then top with a carnuba of choice before winter sets in.
 
Mikeyc said:
It's MUCH more pleasant to do the ONR wash inside a garage than outside though. Even if it's not a heated garage if you close the door and turn on some spot lights it will warm up a bit.
Click to expand...



I agree. I turn on a few space heaters in the garage, and in 20 or so minutes it goes up from 35 to a comfortable 45-50.



If it is lower than 40, I'm in the warm garage ONRing, if it's 40 or over (and not too windy) I just do a conventional outdoor wash.
 
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