Winter Car Washing

[cliff]

You folks in sunny California (or Arizona, or Florida) may have trouble relating to this question, but I'm interested in any techniques people in more inhospitable climates have adopted to wash their beasts in winter. (Ideally, avoiding hypothermia, frostbite, and bursting garden hoses in the process.)

(On a slightly related topic, there was an article in the middle column of the WSJ today describing the joys of surfing in Nova Scotia in winter. I just glanced at it briefly, but apparently it involves filling your wet suit with scalding water.)

[Bart Carter]

I live in Las Vegas, but it does get down to freezing here.

What I do:

1. I wash my car in my garage.
2. If possible, bring some heat into the garage. You may think about washing after being out for a drive. As your car cools, your garage warms.
3. Run your hose to Hot/Cold water supply. The warm water will actually keep your hands warm.

[TCM]

Cliff:

I know your feeling. Until two years ago, I used to have to suffer out in the cold washing my car. Here are some pointers.
1-try to find a warm place to do it in (so much easier)
2-use warm water
3-watch your weather carefully and plan ahead so you can wash the car when it is warmer then usual

Also, remember that you do not have to wash the car. Seriously, if it is so cold out that you will rush a wash then do not do it. You will end up scratching your paint becuase you will be running around in a frenzy. Not worth it. You could also wear scuba gear if you have some. I do not like winter jackets because they can scratch your paint, so I usually wash my car with a soft shirt on but a scuba outfit would be great. If this is sounding crazy to you then I will give you one final option. Feel free to come up to my place and wash your car in my heated and hot water equiped garage. You can even put it up on the lift and wash the underbelly if we do not have any customers. You can wash the car in a relaxed maner and not worry about losing your toes. Good luck.

[Magna]

TCM, were you at the M5 Boston Dyno Meet? I believe you said you had to take a Final Exam that day too.

[TCM]

Magna:

Yes, that was me, haha. My final was awful, all I keep thinking about was M5s, M3s, C32s, and Ford Lightnings. You guys are currupting my mind One thing is for sure, I am not going to be an accountant. Sorry for my forgetfulness, but who were you?

[cliff]

Thanks for the advice! I see that since I posted this, there is another good thread on winter washing.

Our laundry room abuts the garage, so installing a hot and cold water tap might be easy. A drain, however will require spousal negotiation! (Along the lines of, Honey, wouldn't it be nice to have a utility sink in the garage, for washing boots and paintbrushes and stuff...oh, looks like we'll need to get a sump pump.)

[TC]

I always thought I was crazy washing my car in the winter with snow all around me but I have some suggestions.

I hook the hose up to an outside faucet (regular temp) and usually squirt the car from top to bottom and spend extra time in the wheel wells to remove any road salt or grime. Then I use a warm bucket of water with a hand mit for washing but use those black plastic gloves you see in those scifi movies to keep my hands from touching the water and they stay a little warmer. I wear a quilted **** rather than a coat to make sure I don't scratch the car.

After it is washed I drive into the garge and there I have my space heater on and finish the job by drying. Make sure you do not leave the hand brake on because you could have a car that makes a loud pop when you back up. As an aside, one time I used my leaf blower to dry the car but it was more trouble than it was worth. Hope this helps.

[DrRob]

Cliff and TC,

I also wash the cars outdoors the driveway, (with outdoor hot/cold mix as stated in the previous thread), as long as the temp is above freezing. Yes, it's cold, and my hands/arms and feet get soaked, especially when washing the wheel wells and undercarriage, but I just grin and bare it!

If your garage is unheated, drive the car defore putting it away (if the roads are clear enough not to mess up your efforts) to dry the undercarriage, wheels brakes, etc. Apply the brakes and the E-brake to dry them (preventing an E-brake lockup which I experienced last weekend after washing my Z8, and then experienced a temp drop below freezing )