Winter is here, and with winter comes an added complication to my regular maintenance because the water freezes to my car almost as fast as I can spray it on. Windy days make it worse, and if there's no sunlight to help keep things un-frozen, it can get pretty icy pretty quick. So I'd like to hear any and all suggestions on how to do a proper hand wash in below-freezing temperatures.

Also, would anyone recommend simply using a drive-through, touch-free car wash? Or would the damage to the paint and other detrimental factors outweigh the convenience?

 

if you can pull your car into the garage, protect-all puts out a product called quick and easy wash. i think its one ounce per gallon of water and that allows you to have a hoseless wash. thought i have never used it personally (i love florida's 50 degree winter), many people over on autopia swear by it in the winter time.

 

Sunny Cali -- the best and we aint got no hurricane whatsoever
You might want to move down here from AK so your tC wont suffer from cold

 

Wear a sweater.

 

Use cold water if you are washing off any salt or w/e. Wash inside if possible. Those pressure washer deals where you pull in and put money into a machine aren't too bad. Just remember to take a towel or chamois with you to dry the car off.

 

Who drives a tiny coupe in Alaska?

 

hand warmers would be nice too

last year when i washed my car many a time during the nice days of winter my hands would freaze right up but i made sure i used scolding hot water to have my wash mit in that was nice

but that was me

 

try wiping down your car every other day with a quik detailer. Thats what i do, i havent washed my car in months

 

It won't help too much with sub freezing temps, but a pair of wetsuit gloves or mitts will help a bunch. Warm them up before you start (warm water inside). Using warm water in your bucket can help, too.

 

I hate going to automatic car washes, but I think I will probably have to this winter so that I can keep my undercarriage halfway clean.

I got the undercoating from the dealer mainly because of the winter salt and sand on the road (also, because my parents live on a gravel road).

I am definately not looking forward to winter with my new car.

 

Even though the self car washes use warm water (at least around here they do) I wouldn't use them if the temp is 32 or below. I found the water will still freeze very quickly. Fortunately this was on my last car.

 

Get a job at a dealership like i have. I just wash my car in the nice 70* heated garage, and let it air dry completly before i park it back outside.

 

I have used the drive though car washes in the winter. I quit using them due to scratches in the paint. The paint on the xB seems to be much more easily scratched than any other car I have owned. I have also had a couple of big paint chips a well but that is another story.

I use the hand car washes with the brush. Just be sure you wash the brush before you use it.

I have not worried about the water freezing to much on the outside. I just make sure a drive a while before I park the car over long periods so the doors don’t freeze shut..