Washing my car in 33 F weather?

If you have access to a garage a rinseless wash could be performed.
 
You can do it. I've done it. But you will need hot water from the hose. Water tends to freeze on panels. Anyone watching will think you are an idiot.
 
I think they are idiots when they take their car to an automatic car wash instead of me. :dblthumb2:
 
If the waters not frozen in my hose, I'll do it! Carry out warm buckets for rinse and wash. I think of it like this... If those crazy Yankees can do that "Polar Bear Plunge" craziness, I can probably handle getting my hand wet :laughing:
 
RedXray said:
If the waters not frozen in my hose, I'll do it! Carry out warm buckets for rinse and wash. I think of it like this... If those crazy Yankees can do that "Polar Bear Plunge" craziness, I can probably handle getting my hand wet :laughing:
Click to expand...

LOL " The polar bear plunge"
 
Yeah, a sunny 33 degree is no sweat with a rinseless wash, I do it. The water needs to be as hot as you can stand it and make sure you've got 1 or 2 large mf towels for drying. As far as it being too dirty, well, unless its got chunks of dirty just make up some up some pre-wash w/ rinseless (4 oz to a gallon) and put in an empty spray bottle. Spray one panel at a time and then do your rinseless wash, no problem.

Sent from my SPH-M930 using AG Online
 
It can be done as long as the car is pretty warm (like stayed in the garage overnight) and there is no windchill outside...Using warm water in the bucket helps too.

However I would not do it if you are unsure, I've washed my car below 40 degree weather and sometimes it would freeze over before I can even go around it with my mitt and soap.... which is absolutely horrible to experience.
 
I'm thinking of doing a rinseless wash myself. It's 1 degree C here which converted is 33 degrees F

I don't need to pre-rinse since I sprayed it down two days ago at a coin-op. Would it be safe for me to use a two bucket method filled with hot water to do my rinseless wash?
 
Took my fusion to the car wash yesterday, to cold to wash it myself. Oh we'll it's a lease anyway.
 
A2 Auto Spa said:
Should I?
Click to expand...

If your car is dirty then yes...

A local car wash isn't a bad idea if you plan correctly....


  1. 5 Gallon bucket filled with hot water and your favorite car wash
  2. Gloves
  3. Wash mitt
  4. Pocket full of quarters

At the car wash use only the rinse cycle. Spray off as much of the heavy stuff as possible then wash as usual and rinse. Dry the car there or drive it home and dry it there...

Give the finish a once over with a quality spray wax for added protection.....:props:
 
One time many years ago, I washed my 1976 Silver Camaro LT, which had a custom 20 coat Silver Metallic Dupont Lucite Paint Job (with coarse silver metallic added, by a master painter in 1978), covered-sealed in mucho coats of clear laquer.

And as I'm washing it, wiping it down with a bucket of warm water, and a clean cotton towel, I'm actually witnessing the paint shatter-crack, like a red candy apple being slammed on the floor.

I learned one very hard lesson that day, and although it may not fully apply to today's paint finishes, sometimes, it is actually best to leave a car dirty, don't disturb it, especially if it's protected with a good sealant-wax. That you might do more harm than good with playing with a paintjob in adverse temps.

I Had the paint buffed-polished after, and one couldn't easily see any remaining damage, but I truly believe that paint finish was to never be the same again. Live and learn. Mark
 
not here. anything below 32 forget about it. i got caught more than once with the water freezing on the panels. not a good thing. i think the key is getting a good coat of sealant on BEFORE winter. then will you always have the days in winter that get mild enough to wash.

spend the below freezing days on autogeek shopping for more detail supplies. :)
 
Kaban said:
Man... aren't you lucky to have a drain in your garage. Not sure why you linked us to that thread though.... it's not like we are going to run and install drains in our garage.
Click to expand...

Well someone might get some ideas from something i do. Plus installing a sump is about $1500 all said and done too. So in some applications it is doable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top