What do you guys do in the winter to wash the car? Since I got mine I gently let the water roll over the car as they say that power washing is bad for the paint. But in the winter it's obviously to cold to wash your car by hand and your only option is the coin wash or touchless. Am I missinformed in regards to power washing?

Thanks.

 

I've always power washed my car.....I only think you have problems on older cars with bad paint.

 

Touchless car washes have two things going against them - the high pressure water can create scratches when it blasts the grit from your car, it actually pushes the grit into the paint and causes scratching. The other thing is that the chemicals (soap etc) are incredibly harsh and strong. I avoid touchless car washes except as a last resort.

I use a hand wand wash in winter, but avoid holding the wand too close to the car to prevent the high pressure induced scratching. Basically, I rinse the major muck off, then get a car wash mit and wash a half panel or panel at a time. Soap the panel, wash with mit, rinse panel, rinse mit before moving to next panel. NEVER use the soapy brush provided at those car washes, except maybe for wheels and lower rocker panels. This process takes a bit of time, but if I don't have time to do it like that, then it's better to leave the dirt on the car than create scratches removing the dirt!

Regards,
Gordon

 

Yep, I'm with Gordon on that one. I had a touchless car wash blast the paint off my wheels on my MX-6, and never used it again.

For my 8, I have a big sponge that I keep in the trunk. I rinse off the car, keeping the wand well away, and then use the low-pressure soap spray, let it soak in for a while, and then use the high-pressure soap spray (again, keeping the wand away from the car).

I also avoid using that brush that the washes provide. I use the sponge for the greenhouse, then the body panels, and then the wheels.

 

I'm also against the touchless systems. I've seen it happen on many occasions where the machine has malfunctioned and damaged a car in the wash bay. Hand-wand type cash washes are all that I use. Make sure you clean out the wheel -wells in the winter.

 

also, be careful with the snow brush, i had a friend who thought it was smart to brush the snow off his hood, come spring time we saw he had some scratches....

 

I'm goingt o be drving a VW VR6 for the winter , but if I need to wash it i'll take it to my father in laws house. Tiled and insulated garage.

 

I've wrapped my snowbrush with a soft cloth so it doesn't scratch....

 

I was thinking of using the touchless, but may think about the wash bays up where I live now. It's just the thought of washing the car in winter.. Too bad you can't coat the car with something to protect in winter.
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Honda RC51 specifications

 

My concern is not only for the brush but how about the snow itself, pushing it along the paint, won't it scratch? Depending on the temperature that stuff is pretty gritty.

Great feedback from everyone, thanks!

 

Where are the locations for good clean self-washing stations in Toronto?

Let's compile a good list for 8 owners in the area.

 

Well, let's do the same thing for Calgary, then.

In Calgary, I use the Crowfoot Shell exclusively. Why? Because it's the only place I know of where I can pay AFTER the wash, so I can take my time and not feel like I'm running out of toonies.

Actually, one cool thing about that Shell is that, if you're gassing up after your wash, they just let you drive out, dry off the car, gas up, and then you pay for everything in one shot. That's customer appreciation!

 

Me too. Unfortunately, I tend to run about $10 per wash (as described above)! Still, not too bad considering I'm doing a much better job (and much less damage) than the touchless washes that charge at least $5...

Regards,
Gordon

 

In Winnipeg we have a place called the Chamois.
For about 12 bucks, they clean your mats, vacume , pre clean (power wash first), run you through a soft touch wash, dry your car, and clean the interior all in about 10 minutes.
The brushes they use do not scratch, and because they prespray first, there is no dirt for the brushes to grind.
I can spend up to 3 hours in the summer washing my own car. In the winter the Chamois is a good choice.
Like Gord, I can run about 10 bucks washing my own car. For a couple of bucks more I let the Chamois do it.

 

Awesome place is at Bayview and Major Mac. North West corner..

Good self serve car wash with the "Time Left" displayed on top of the washing garage.

 

Ah Smoker beat me to the punch, though I haven't used it. How much is it and total time for you to do the dirty...er clean work? I was tempted to go across the street to the touchless Esso car wash with no tracks, but after reading the info here, a little worried.
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Vapir one

 

I use the Big Bucket at Crowfoot. The Shell station always seems to be lined up when I check it out.

 

Where abouts on Crowfoot is this Shell? (like nearby exit) I need to wash my car today...went on a roadtrip to Winnipeg over the weekend and man is it ever dirty! :o

Edit:

ahhh...think shell.ca might have answered my question:
CROWFOOT SHELL SELECT 156 Crowfoot Gate Nw
Calgary, AB T3G 3L1 (403) 239-4333

 

across the street from the YMCA

 

Ah, yes, the Big Bucket. That's the place that blasted the paint off the wheels of my MX-6. Of course, you're probably using the wand wash they have, instead of the touchless wash I used to use.

Crowfoot seems to be a popular place for 8 owners!

 

Hmmm, I don't remember how much time you get per dollar at this place as I only use them in the Winter Time. But I usually spend $3 dollars and it is more than enough for me to give the car bottom a nice raise and the car body all nice and clean.

Yep, for sure gona be there quite often this winter.

 

Thanks Smoker.
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FORD MONDEO SPECIFICATIONS

 

I only use the wand wash...never the automatic drive through touchless washes.

 

It gets so cold, and I've never been anywhere but LA for the winter, so I don't know what I'm going to do when winter hits here in Ohio. Theres a few "hand" car wash places around here that are open in the winter, I guess i'll just have to go there.

-Rupes

 

I agree with Fritz, the Crowfoot Shell has my vote I've been going there for some time. If you fill after the wash you get a discount. Also 3 cents off a the pump. Of course it will be busy on a sunny weekend, but I've found it to be less busy than the place in Crowfoot. I've yet to take the 8 there, but guaranteed I will be handwashing. Still use the brush on the 2000 VR6 Jetta though.
I've seen Fritz's 8 in the Crowfoot area. Its very distinctive with the black steel rims. I've had my 8 for a few days now. I think there is a 6 disc changer in it somewhere. Have yet to turn it on!