What do you wash with in the winter (Snow members only) - Page 2

***SubyFreak05*** · 11-16-2005, 07:38 PM

Same for me, I used to wash the WRX by hand at the do-it-yourself wash, while everyone was on the line for the automatic wash lookin at me saying wtf. I was usually the only one standing out there in the freezing cold

Now that I have an STi, im going to drive my 1991 BMW 525i through the winter, some rear wheel drive fun!!

TaoKane · 11-17-2005, 06:37 AM

+1 on the freeze your balls off method. My frost bitten fingers can attest to my idiotic ideal of keeing the car hand-washed through the winter. Nothing like getting yourself soaked in the process, then if you gotta get down low to spray the undercairage, well, you might as well just wear a good wet suit....

***MKIVSupra*** · 11-19-2005, 10:22 AM

Mine goes all winter without being washed. I do rinse it occasionally at the diy car wahes to get some of the salt off but that is it. I put so many coats of klasse and P21S on it during the summer that when I do wash it come spring the finish is still smooth and slick.

BTW, have you guys seen the wash mits that have a rubber glove in them? They seem like a good idea for cold day washes. I have not used one though.

***Datadatum*** · 11-19-2005, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDSTI

do a touchless car wash unless u have a nice garage, i usually try to 1-2 times a month with the touchless wash works fine

I have a nice garage, and wouldn't even think about washing a car inside it.

I do a couple of touchless machine washes and tough it out until spring. There are few (if any) days that a sane person would wash the car between late December and late March in Chicago.

Heck, the last few days had a high in the twenties (that's F for you Canucks).

Bagger · 11-19-2005, 05:49 PM

Touchless is the only way to go in the winter time in the "snow belt". I would avoid any car wash that has something that touches the car other than water. The clear on the STi is not very resistant to scratches.... nor are many cars out there.

One other thing..... in the 'snow belt', I'd change tires and wheels. That may save the stocker wheels. The stock sneakers will not work well in snow, folks. There is NO tread.

BAGGER

mike_ · 11-19-2005, 09:33 PM

I'll wash the car a handful of times over the winter. Basically if I can find a day when it is 32.1 degrees and the car is covered in salt it is getting washed. Driveway turns into a sheet of ice pretty quickly which always makes for some new and interesting curse words coming out of my mouth.

speedsnice · 11-23-2005, 09:17 PM

I put the car on the sidewalk wash it and freeze, but I tend to keep it clean for most of the winter. I don't like to have somebody washing my car, it's mine. The neighbors do think that I'm crazy, it my be the car washing or the rolling burnouts in the middle of winter on my bike before I sold it.

blk04sti · 11-26-2005, 10:08 AM

I am thinking I will have to go to the store and get a few buckets. 2 for the intial rinse off, then 1 for the "speed scub", then off to the touchless for a good spray rinse and dry.
Where can I get one of those rubber glove built in wash mitts?

DARKSTI · 11-26-2005, 11:21 AM

I use Protect-Alls QEW (just need 2 buckets, no hose) or use a Hose and Warm Water

JayINaBox · 11-26-2005, 11:48 AM

I go the touch-free route. Luckily I work at a Subaru dealership, and we have a very nice touch-free car wash, so I get it washed off a few times a week for free. Sure beats freezing or paying around $10 for a crappy gas station wash.

VAsti · 11-29-2005, 12:50 PM

lucky for me it never gets freezing but still washing a car in 40 degree weather is not idea of fun. Its amazing how fast u can wash a car even though u cant feel your hands.

***QuickSilverSTi*** · 11-30-2005, 01:09 PM

Epoxy coated the garage floor, had a hose bib installed inside, and simply wash it in the warmth of the garage. Push the water out when done. Works great.

***Datadatum*** · 11-30-2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blk04sti

Where can I get one of those rubber glove built in wash mitts?

www.griotsgarage.com

Bagger · 11-30-2005, 04:37 PM

If you live in the snow belt areas, I'd be concerned with the "warm bucket brigade" deal. I've seen folks that did this in mid winter here and had cracked windscreens. Not a good deal.

Also, if it is gonna be really cold.... like 20 degrees (F).... washing a car in 37 degree temps and getting water in the window/door seals will not be good when the temps drop over night. I've had doors frozen shut and had difficulty opening them... and then there's the broken windshields (thankfully not mine).

So.... if you wash in yer driveway, just use some common sense.

BAGGER

blk04sti · 11-30-2005, 07:09 PM

^Good advice bagger! I forget about these things when its not 10 degrees out, thanks!
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11-16-2005, 07:38 PM	#16
*SubyFreak05* Platinum Member Car: 05 Aspen White STi Fav Mod: GREEN Location: Orange County New York Posts: 691 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Same for me, I used to wash the WRX by hand at the do-it-yourself wash, while everyone was on the line for the automatic wash lookin at me saying wtf. I was usually the only one standing out there in the freezing cold Now that I have an STi, im going to drive my 1991 BMW 525i through the winter, some rear wheel drive fun!! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

11-30-2005, 04:37 PM	#29
Bagger Amateur STI Driver Posts: 49 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Broken windshields...etc.. If you live in the snow belt areas, I'd be concerned with the "warm bucket brigade" deal. I've seen folks that did this in mid winter here and had cracked windscreens. Not a good deal. Also, if it is gonna be really cold.... like 20 degrees (F).... washing a car in 37 degree temps and getting water in the window/door seals will not be good when the temps drop over night. I've had doors frozen shut and had difficulty opening them... and then there's the broken windshields (thankfully not mine). So.... if you wash in yer driveway, just use some common sense. BAGGER

11-30-2005, 07:09 PM	#30
blk04sti The Next Petter Solberg Car: 2004 STI Fav Mod: All of them Location: Southern NH Posts: 880 Join Date: May 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	^Good advice bagger! I forget about these things when its not 10 degrees out, thanks! \| This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

11-17-2005, 06:37 AM	#17
TaoKane STI Driver Car: 05 blue/gold Fav Mod: bone stock Location: Medfah Mass Posts: 211 Join Date: Apr 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	+1 on the freeze your balls off method. My frost bitten fingers can attest to my idiotic ideal of keeing the car hand-washed through the winter. Nothing like getting yourself soaked in the process, then if you gotta get down low to spray the undercairage, well, you might as well just wear a good wet suit....

11-19-2005, 10:22 AM	#18
*MKIVSupra* Moderator Elite Car: 04 Subaru WRX STi, W Fav Mod: KartBoy SS & Bushings Location: Illinois Posts: 8,745 Join Date: Jan 2001 Trader Rating: (0)	Mine goes all winter without being washed. I do rinse it occasionally at the diy car wahes to get some of the salt off but that is it. I put so many coats of klasse and P21S on it during the summer that when I do wash it come spring the finish is still smooth and slick. BTW, have you guys seen the wash mits that have a rubber glove in them? They seem like a good idea for cold day washes. I have not used one though.

11-19-2005, 05:49 PM	#20
Bagger Amateur STI Driver Posts: 49 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Touchless is the only way to go in the winter time in the "snow belt". I would avoid any car wash that has something that touches the car other than water. The clear on the STi is not very resistant to scratches.... nor are many cars out there. One other thing..... in the 'snow belt', I'd change tires and wheels. That may save the stocker wheels. The stock sneakers will not work well in snow, folks. There is NO tread. BAGGER

11-19-2005, 09:33 PM	#21
mike_ The Next Petter Solberg Car: Silver 05 WRX STi Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 913 Join Date: May 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	I'll wash the car a handful of times over the winter. Basically if I can find a day when it is 32.1 degrees and the car is covered in salt it is getting washed. Driveway turns into a sheet of ice pretty quickly which always makes for some new and interesting curse words coming out of my mouth.

11-23-2005, 09:17 PM	#22
speedsnice Spec C Club Car: 2005 Silver WRX STi Location: Bronx, N.Y. Posts: 1,142 Join Date: Jun 2004 Trader Rating: (1)	I put the car on the sidewalk wash it and freeze, but I tend to keep it clean for most of the winter. I don't like to have somebody washing my car, it's mine. The neighbors do think that I'm crazy, it my be the car washing or the rolling burnouts in the middle of winter on my bike before I sold it.

11-26-2005, 10:08 AM	#23
blk04sti The Next Petter Solberg Car: 2004 STI Fav Mod: All of them Location: Southern NH Posts: 880 Join Date: May 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	I am thinking I will have to go to the store and get a few buckets. 2 for the intial rinse off, then 1 for the "speed scub", then off to the touchless for a good spray rinse and dry. Where can I get one of those rubber glove built in wash mitts?

11-26-2005, 11:21 AM	#24
DARKSTI Silver Member Car: 06 OBP STI Fav Mod: Invida G200 FTW! Location: In an hangar :) Posts: 2,591 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	I use Protect-Alls QEW (just need 2 buckets, no hose) or use a Hose and Warm Water

11-26-2005, 11:48 AM	#25
JayINaBox Amateur STI Driver Car: 05 Platinum Silver M Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 41 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	I go the touch-free route. Luckily I work at a Subaru dealership, and we have a very nice touch-free car wash, so I get it washed off a few times a week for free. Sure beats freezing or paying around $10 for a crappy gas station wash.

11-29-2005, 12:50 PM	#26
VAsti STI Driver Posts: 258 Join Date: Jun 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	lucky for me it never gets freezing but still washing a car in 40 degree weather is not idea of fun. Its amazing how fast u can wash a car even though u cant feel your hands.

11-30-2005, 01:09 PM	#27
*QuickSilverSTi* nulla poena sine lege Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,751 Join Date: Nov 2003 Trader Rating: (5)	Epoxy coated the garage floor, had a hose bib installed inside, and simply wash it in the warmth of the garage. Push the water out when done. Works great.