Winter Washing

I have searched the forum. But I am looking for the best stuff (waterless) to use in colder weather. I am used to washing my Tundra once a week with the two bucket method. I use almost all Adams products, but do not have there waterless. I have researched it and I am very familiar with Dri wash and guard, but would like to know what works best in colder weather. I sent War Eagle Steve a message but he might be busy so I thought I would reach out to the hive.

 

What kinda "cold weather" are you talking about...

I just used Carpro EcH2o and Reload together (its called Merlins Magic Elixir....look it up) for the first time and it took my dirty truck to shining like a new penny.

 

winter washing after a few freezes I am reluctant to use my hose even when the ambient temp is in the 40's

 

You should be fine in the 40 degree range. I have to keep my work ride presentable all year and it will get washed and then out into sub zero weather. Just have to make sure you dry around the seal inside the door jam

 

Just washed mine last night when it was 28. It was covered in road salt. Had to be done. Also dry out you door handles. Found out the hard way when trying to enter the truck the next morning

 

I will typically wait until it gets above freezing, but I will only hit the car wash with the pressure washer.
Then once it is over 40 and we get a warm stretch I will try to do a quick hand wash, but it's usually a waste of time until Spring.

 

Sub'd

 

I go to the wand wash in the winter, cost more than doing it at home but it's a lot warmer!

 

No questions here...I'm just seeing what everyone else does for Winter washing.

Thanks

 

Winter is drive through only. Never use the brushes (automatic wash) or ones on a stick in the “do it yourself” bays. I use the ones typically called “laser wash” or something similar.

Consists of: High pressure water, undercarriage wash, soap x 2, rinse, “sealant”, final rinse, high powered blower dry. $11 once a week (usually- sometimes they close too because of temps). $.20 discount on gas too. Can sometimes be forced to wait 30 minutes though.

I wax the balls off the truck in the warmer months (meguiars spray - maroon bottle). And everything keeps a nice bead all year.

 

Also, if you live in a “challenging” winter environment as some of us do, follow everything @SouthBoundSteve says on how to properly detail a vehicle during the spring summer fall and your truck will survive. @driverdog too. That’s what I do / have done.

 

^^ditto

 

I dont care what the temperature is. My truck will get washed once a week. Sometimes I do it at home in the garage which I know a lot of people don't have the ability to do. If it is above 20 with no wind, I will do it in the driveway. The sun heats up the cement enough for it not to freeze. Then you just take the hose off and drain. Otherwise when it is sub zero, I take it to the touchless wash somewhere. There is one about 5 miles from me that does a $6 any wash on Wed and Sun. I will be doing a hand wash today even tho it is gonna snow 5" tomorrow. I hate a dirty truck.

 

My black truck is white with salt right now and we are getting 2-5" of snow today.

 

Winter - My main concern is getting the salt off of the undercarriage as quick as possible. I wait until the roads are fairly dry, then I run it through a touchless with an undercarriage pressure wash to try and get the salt off of the underneath. Sometimes I'll circle around and do it twice if the salt was really bad. Then I drive it home wet (I only live about a mile from the carwash), park it in the garage and dry it while spraying Adam's detail spray on it. Shines like a new one.
If it's warm enough, I'll run it through to knock the salt off, then hand wash at home.

 

Optimum no rinse