vincer77

I live in TN and it has been pretty cold. Before Christmas, I drove my car in the rain and got a bit dirty. Now that I am back in town, I'd like to clean it up - but it is so darn cold, that I'm seriously afraid to wash the car - it might freeze! High's in the 20s. Is it safe to use alot of detail spray for cleaning?

Thanks,

Vince

Arena993

Same temps here in KY (I will be in Nashville soon) I just wait till temp rises and proceed as normal. I am in the same boat as you my car needs a bath SOON!!!

Mike

No HTwo O

I'd wait for better weather. And re-post this in the Concours section.

Steve 96C4S

If you have a garage, you could hose it down really fast, then bring it into the garage before it freezes up. Wipe down as usual. Forget the soap, etc. Just hose with water and wipe down with some towels. That's what I do in this weather. When it's like 10 degrees and my car is dirty, I just hose it down in the garage!

hal m

even though it is warmer here, after our new years day run in some sprinkles, I hosed down the car and then sprayed a lot of detailing liquid on the car so that when I wiped it down, there was some lubricant beside the water to minimize scratching. after I got most of the water off with a sham-wow type cloth, I sprayed on some Griots' spray-on wax for the final wipe down with a waffle drying cloth. came out nice and shiny

vincer77

What would te concours guys know? They'd never dream to drive their cars in the rain!

Vince

No HTwo O

LOL! May be true. But, they know a lot about products and procedures. There is a "waterless" washing product, but I don't remember the name. They'll know.

I don't drive in the rain.

No HTwo O

Look at these products listed near the bottom:

http://www.detailersdomain.com/carwash.aspx

Slow Guy

Vince, I installed a hot water spicket outside the garage for just this reason, problem is you need to get the car back in the garage fast or the doors freeze up. I would just wait for warmer weather (we'll get some soon (I hope) and wash it then. Personally I wouldn't put any wax like substance on the cold metal, it would be a pain to get off and I don't think it would be good for the car.

95_993

Use Optima No-rinse

NC TRACKRAT

993BillW, be careful with that hot water! I've seen a windshield shatter when some fool threw hot water on a cold car. No, the fool wasn't me
p.s.: Just washed my wife's MINI this afternoon..a balmy 39F!

tommyg

http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

mongrelcat

Yep, ONR
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=onr+winter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL5A29qIjnc

Slow Guy

Oh no! I do know better than that. In the first place after it goes through about 75 ft. of (cold) hose it's not real hot anymore, barely lukewarm. Second is I still have cold at the same spicket so can adjust the temp if I need to. I just don't like having to put my hands in nearly icy water to wash the car but in temps like we're having now (10 - 25 deg) I wouldn't wash it anyway.

Arena993

Bill:

WTF happened to all the nice weather and never snowing you told me about? I don't know I am getting nervous. JK you should see it here. IT SUCKS.

Mike