Winter wash Questions?

[edschwab1]

Winter wash and wax questions?
During the winter I usually take the car to the coin-op wash and use my car wash and mitts to wash the car and MF WW to dry. I was considering using a spray wax after washing and this year to help maintain the look and for the small bit of protection. So my question is should I use a QD or QEW spray after drying the car to ensure the surface is clean before using a spray wax or just use spray wax after drying the car?

May other questions: Should I add a coat of wax once a month instead of using the spray wax? Or should I use the spray wax weekly and add a coat of wax monthly?

My current winter wash process:
Rinse car for 3-5 minutes depending on much time the $1.50 to $3.00 purchases. Cost depends on which coin-op wash I use, sometimes I add quarter to extend the time.
Use lambs wool wash mitts to apply a slick car wash. I use lots of mitts (probably 8-12 per wash) and use the two bucket method.
Rinse car thoroughly.
Spot free rinse if available
Dry
Go home to warm up.

My proposed winter wash process:
Rinse car for 3-5 minutes depending on much time the $1.50 to $3.00 purchases. Cost depends on which coin-op wash I use, sometimes I add quarter to extend the time.
Use lambs wool wash mitts to apply a slick car wash. I use lots of mitts (probably 8-12 per wash) and use the two bucket method.
Rinse car thoroughly.
Spot free rinse if available
Dry
QD
Spray wax
Go home to warm up

Eric

 

[Scott P]

I think the cold temps may be the problem for the wax. I haven't tried any of them in freezing temps yet, so I don't know how effective they will be. I know of a house in Fairport that is for sale. It has a nice 2.5 car garage with lights. It can also be heated quite easily. It's something to consider.

 

[edschwab1]

Thanks for the info Scott.

Eric

 

[Luster]

You might want to do a search on this website for "QEW", ProtectAll's Quick and Easy Wash...

It's the best thing I've found for winter washing, and I've used this product, outside, down to 30-degrees. You need to use warm water and wear latex gloves, but you have a clean car afterwards and NO HOSE to mess with.

Requires only one or two gallons of water, very neat, no mess, and no rinsing.

Follow with your fav QD and you're set to go.

For more info on QEW, click ....HERE....

P.S. ... ... Sorry, I guess you already know about QEW. I just re-read your original post. BTW...I always QD after washing.

 

[Big Leegr]

So my question is should I use a QD or QEW spray after drying the car to ensure the surface is clean before using a spray wax or just use spray wax after drying the car?

I would hope that if you are drying, that the car is already clean. Why would you want to drag dirt across the paint? I often use S+W as I dry, to help ensure a clean car, but also to help prevent/minimize marring.

Should I add a coat of wax once a month instead of using the spray wax? Or should I use the spray wax weekly and add a coat of wax monthly? .

It sounds like you are planning on a monthly waxing in either case. If you are planning on using a cleaner wax, then I would recommend that monthly and the spray wax after washes. This way you may be able to keep marring to a minimum through the winter. This is, of course, assuming that the wash bays you use allow you to take up their space this long without paying. (Or another idea would be using the pay-by-the-minute places.) If you think you may get rushed, I would go with the spray wax after washes. If you get one like Mothers FX spray wax or PB's QW+ (formerly QD+) you would be able to wipe on/off without waiting for it to dry, which may take an extended period of time in a cold, damp wash bay. (QW+ is also a cleaner wax, so this may be the best alternative, if you aren't doing a dedicated waxing monthly.)

My proposed winter wash process:
Rinse car for 3-5 minutes depending on much time the $1.50 to $3.00 purchases. Cost depends on which coin-op wash I use, sometimes I add quarter to extend the time.
Use lambs wool wash mitts to apply a slick car wash. I use lots of mitts (probably 8-12 per wash) and use the two bucket method.
Rinse car thoroughly.
Spot free rinse if available
Dry
QD
Spray wax
Go home to warm up
Eric

I usually use 1 cycle to rinse off the bulk of the muck and get the car wet. (I sometimes do a quick vacuum first. If the car isn't too dirty outside I don't feel the need to spray as long for the initial wetting.) Then I do my bucket washing. (I don't go through that many mitts, but whatever floats your boat... :boat: ) Then I rinse for 1 cycle. Then I use the S+W and a plush MF and dry the car. I use multiple MF's, as I try to get the "bulk" water off first, then go over it again to get streak free (with a clean/dry mf). I sometimes use a QD or booster wax for this last step.
Hope this is helpful.

 

[edschwab1]

Thanks for the info Big Leegr.
I would hope that if you are drying, that the car is already clean. Why would you want to drag dirt across the paint? I often use S+W as I dry, to help ensure a clean car, but also to help prevent/minimize marring.
[/QUOTE]
I do not intently drag dirt across the surface, but I have a couple of times on the lower part of the car. Nothing a little QD will not handle.

It sounds like you are planning on a monthly waxing in either case. If you are planning on using a cleaner wax, then I would recommend that monthly and the spray wax after washes. This way you may be able to keep marring to a minimum through the winter. This is, of course, assuming that the wash bays you use allow you to take up their space this long without paying. (Or another idea would be using the pay-by-the-minute places.) If you think you may get rushed, I would go with the spray wax after washes. If you get one like Mothers FX spray wax or PB's QW+ (formerly QD+) you would be able to wipe on/off without waiting for it to dry, which may take an extended period of time in a cold, damp wash bay. (QW+ is also a cleaner wax, so this may be the best alternative, if you aren't doing a dedicated waxing monthly.)

As to the time used at the Coin-op, I do not think they care when you use the one of the wash bays at 11 pm or late at night. I will probably end up trying different spray waxes to find the which works the best in Rochester's winter.

I usually use 1 cycle to rinse off the bulk of the muck and get the car wet. (I sometimes do a quick vacuum first. If the car isn't too dirty outside I don't feel the need to spray as long for the initial wetting.) Then I do my bucket washing. (I don't go through that many mitts, but whatever floats your boat... :boat: ) Then I rinse for 1 cycle. Then I use the S+W and a plush MF and dry the car. I use multiple MF's, as I try to get the "bulk" water off first, then go over it again to get streak free (with a clean/dry mf). I sometimes use a QD or booster wax for this last step.
Hope this is helpful.

I will have to try the QD while drying during the winter.

Eric