Rinsing salt off?

[rockford33]

Well, winter has finally come to Maryland. And with a dark blue car, the salt is very noticeable, and there is a lot of it. Is it a good idea to rinse the salt off about once a week at a self service car wash with the high pressure hose? Usually if the temps drop below freezing, the touchless carwashes at the gas stations close up, so that is not an option. Plus, I don't think they do too good of a job anyway. I think there is too much salt for S&W, and since it is 10 degrees, I am not feeling like doing a bucket wash. It had a coat of PwC and two coats of EX before winter started, so I hope it is protected until spring.

 

[crobinso]

Hi rockford, I live in Accokeek, and I'm going through the same situation. I took mine to the touchless wash twice. (One of the two machines was broken the second time, and I had to wait almost an hour.) That way, I don't have to get out, get wet, or get cold!

But you're right, they don't clean the salt off perfectly. The little beads of water left over are salty. I didn't address mine, but when you get home, you can then safely use S&W as they're not all that big.

BTW, I found out that by using a spray wax after a touchless wash, the car washes cleaner the next time I take it through the touchless. Especially the wheels, which are very hard for the touchless wash to clean.

Charles

 

[Poorboy]

Be real careful in washing in the extreme cold, as you can have more adverse effects than positive ones. Clearcoat shock , too warm of a water on a really cold finish will crack the clear, freezing of door jambs and locks.:eek frozen window actuators is a very costly repair:bigscream most mfgs use only plastic parts and they may fail if you try to open the windows after being wet and then frozen ...

 

[crobinso]

Be real careful in washing in the extreme cold, as you can have more adverse effects than positive ones. Clearcoat shock , too warm of a water on a really cold finish will crack the clear, freezing of door jambs and locks.:eek frozen window actuators is a very costly repair:bigscream most mfgs use only plastic parts and they may fail if you try to open the windows after being wet and then frozen ...

OMG, OMG! So THAT'S why the windows failed on my older cars!!!!! I'm always opening the windows. Even on my new ca - OMG, even on my new car!!! WAAAAAAHHHH!!!!

Charles

 

[Woob]

I've seen the doors on my old van just not open because of ice and cold. Scary! You should always pre warm the car. Only in the North, not in NC :lmfao

 

[Poorboy]

OMG, OMG! So THAT'S why the windows failed on my older cars!!!!! I'm always opening the windows. Even on my new ca - OMG, even on my new car!!! WAAAAAAHHHH!!!!

Charles

Charles..it cost my mother $450 to repair the drivers window in her car:nono
she couldn't take all the dirt one day and went through a touchless wash:eek
then she went the next day to a drive-thru Wendy's with my kids and the window went on a one way trip.........down........

 

[rockford33]

What about on a warmer day, say 20-25 degrees. I am thinking that since the car is sitting in the sun, the metal will actually be a little warm (dark blue). Would that avoid clearcoat shock, or is it best to be safe and wait til it is above freezing?

 

[Poorboy]

I would think that would be ok, I'd warm the car up a bit and then definitely keep it in the sun or a garage after cleaning, also it would be best to do it earlier in the day ....

 

[tubafeak]

My taurus has all new front window power assemblys because of that very thing. I love my honda, NO POWER ANYTHING.

 

[vdubbya]

I live in the great white north and well......I guess we're just used to the harsh winter months. Either way, you have to take care of your car. I wash in the winter when it is atleast 20 degrees. But to be honest....I've never heard of clear coat shock? I'm not doubting it but does someone have a picture of the aftermath? I guess I've always been worried about the window glass shattering because of temp changes.

 

[tubafeak]

What about QEW? That would probably work well for what you need.

 

[rockford33]

Well, I washed the car at 2 pm on Friday afternoon. Nice, sunny day. Paint was warm to the touch. I took it to the local self-service car wash (left work early to go out of town for the weekend), and rinsed it off for a few minutes to get the extra salt off. Drove off down the highway, air drying the car. The car sat in the sun for about an hour, and then I headed off for my weekend. I think it was ok doing this since the temp was fairly warm (30ish) and I only wanted to rinse some of the extra salt/crud off. Actually came out better than I expected. Unfortunately, the 2 hour drive to Lancaster and snow o\ver the weekend, and driving back made it dirty again!! At least there isn't as much salt on it though. Until the next sunny day....