What do you do when it rains or you're in a rainy season
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 640
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
What do you do when it rains or you're in a rainy season
Living in Phoenix, we have great weather for keeping our cars clean...most of the time.
We're entering the monsoon season for the summer, and so it's spurts of heavy, dirty rain, usually in the evening every so often.
When you know you're entering a more frequent season of rain, do you tend to just rinse the car off, do a basic wash, and not wax it again until you know things are going to be more clear?
I tend to do a wash/wax/polish before a rainy season, and then just hand wash the car once a week until things clear up again. I try to stay away from automated washes as much as possible.
We're entering the monsoon season for the summer, and so it's spurts of heavy, dirty rain, usually in the evening every so often.
When you know you're entering a more frequent season of rain, do you tend to just rinse the car off, do a basic wash, and not wax it again until you know things are going to be more clear?
I tend to do a wash/wax/polish before a rainy season, and then just hand wash the car once a week until things clear up again. I try to stay away from automated washes as much as possible.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,147
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From: Central Florida
R129, XF Sportbrake, SC400
I just wash it once a week. Say i wash it today and it rains tomorrow, i usually just rinse it off and dry it to keep it clean. Sometimes i just leave it though because it rains pretty much everyday here.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 296
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From: FLORIDA
2003 C240
Bought this sealant on ebay:
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/merchant/eradioprez
Works very well...nothing sticks to my car now. Everything easily wipes off.
It rains here in FL almost every afternoon.
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/merchant/eradioprez
Works very well...nothing sticks to my car now. Everything easily wipes off.
It rains here in FL almost every afternoon.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 640
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
Bought this sealant on ebay:
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/merchant/eradioprez
Works very well...nothing sticks to my car now. Everything easily wipes off.
It rains here in FL almost every afternoon.
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/merchant/eradioprez
Works very well...nothing sticks to my car now. Everything easily wipes off.
It rains here in FL almost every afternoon.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
I drive a Toyota Hybrid...
i do a basic carwash
since the soap kill all the dirt off, and it also clean the car again so why not?
it actually save you a bit more time since dirty rain water make dirt stick on your car
and i don't like dirty towel to be use agian anyway
since the soap kill all the dirt off, and it also clean the car again so why not?
it actually save you a bit more time since dirty rain water make dirt stick on your car
and i don't like dirty towel to be use agian anyway
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From: sydney
2001 c200k with kleemann pulley
i usually find a quiet road and test out on the car's limit cos it does need much to induce oversteer etc (with traction off of cos) ... that way i can learn how to re-gain control of my car without needing such a high speed in the dry ... in fact that's what those advance driving course is about ... to make the track dry and allow u to skid a bit so u can learn how to straighten the car in adverse condition ...
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 537
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
2013 S550, CLS500, ‘03 SL500, “92 190E Sportline
If it rains really hard, I run outside with a bottle of head and shoulders and a Loofah and give my car a bath...jk...actually I don't really wash my car regularly. I guess since I use a spray on wax it doesn't "seem" to get dirty as it used to. Therefore, it's not second nature to me to wash it regularly. Before waxing, it would be dirty the very next, or same day. Mercedes should design a Loofah for grill bugs. 
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 506
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From: Vancouver, Canada
2012 MERCEDES CLS63 AMG
when it rains up in vancouver bc, it rains for a solid week, i wash mine every friday rain or shine maybe even twice a week, again.. depending on the weather. Ive only waxed my car once ever since i got it! its been close to 3 and a half yrs now! .. you'll be fine
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 529
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
Living in London, all my car seems to do is get rained on. On the occasional sunny day, I'm almost guaranteed that pigeon will take a monster crap on it.
I do a serious Zaino "full pull" about once every 6 or 7 months - so full wash, Z5, Z6, Z5, Z6, Z2, Z6 - usually in the Spring time, and then again in the fall. I find it a really good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Between I wash when I can, usually at least once every two or three weeks unless I'm traveling, followed by Z6. Once a month I try to do a Z2+Z6...
I park inside at work, and under a tree at home, unfortunately. The Zanio products (or at least Z6) seems to be good for about a month of typical British weather, and for the first week or two bird poo actually tends to "run off" - and if not, it does not stick hardly at all - hit it with a hose, and it's gone. The only real reason I wash it as often as I do is vanity - I hate driving around in a dirty car.
I do a serious Zaino "full pull" about once every 6 or 7 months - so full wash, Z5, Z6, Z5, Z6, Z2, Z6 - usually in the Spring time, and then again in the fall. I find it a really good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Between I wash when I can, usually at least once every two or three weeks unless I'm traveling, followed by Z6. Once a month I try to do a Z2+Z6...
I park inside at work, and under a tree at home, unfortunately. The Zanio products (or at least Z6) seems to be good for about a month of typical British weather, and for the first week or two bird poo actually tends to "run off" - and if not, it does not stick hardly at all - hit it with a hose, and it's gone. The only real reason I wash it as often as I do is vanity - I hate driving around in a dirty car.
Last edited by UK-C200; Jul 9, 2008 at 07:34 AM.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 101
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97 J30\71 220 gas 4-speed
My first rule in the rain is to stop staring skywards. Fear of drowning.
If it's been a cruddy day, I'll hit a touchless car wash at a gas station. Otherwise, it'll be when it dries up again.
If it's been a cruddy day, I'll hit a touchless car wash at a gas station. Otherwise, it'll be when it dries up again.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 640
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From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
I usually do a dedicated paint polish once a year, and then do a full wash, dry, wax 3-4 times a year. I once a week or every other week hand washes (soapy water, rinse, dry) between waxings. I use Meguires Quick Detail to get crap off that i see like dirt spots and such. I do interior details once a month, leather every 2 months or so, and I try to dress my tires as soon as they are dull.
I haven't done an engine detail on this car yet since I bought it in April...I might soon.
What's your favorite item to polish up the chrome trim?
I haven't done an engine detail on this car yet since I bought it in April...I might soon.
What's your favorite item to polish up the chrome trim?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 640
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Lately we've been deluged 1st with pollen like you wouldn't believe (I couldn't dry the car fast enough, before it was already covered with yellow yuk!)
now with Ash from all the fires, and more recently heavy dust from the overflow parking in Yosemite.
Mostly I tend to go to the self serve Car wash, and just rinse it.
Soap will slowly eat the finish so I just use water (hi pressure)
and then finish with the spot free rinse setting.
Normally I do a real wash every week but lately I just been doing this.
It get 99% of the crud and only takes 2-3 minutes.
Haven't done a hand wash for 4 weeks at least and it's nice and shiney.
When I hand wash I just use water unless it's really dirty, and no I don't go to automated wash places, except the hand wash ones, but then they tend to use heavy detergents that are hard on the finish.
now with Ash from all the fires, and more recently heavy dust from the overflow parking in Yosemite.
Mostly I tend to go to the self serve Car wash, and just rinse it.
Soap will slowly eat the finish so I just use water (hi pressure)
and then finish with the spot free rinse setting.
Normally I do a real wash every week but lately I just been doing this.
It get 99% of the crud and only takes 2-3 minutes.
Haven't done a hand wash for 4 weeks at least and it's nice and shiney.
When I hand wash I just use water unless it's really dirty, and no I don't go to automated wash places, except the hand wash ones, but then they tend to use heavy detergents that are hard on the finish.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Jul 9, 2008 at 01:31 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 511
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From: Nuevo México
2005 C230K Sport Sedan, 6 speed manual
Living in Phoenix, we have great weather for keeping our cars clean...most of the time.
We're entering the monsoon season for the summer, and so it's spurts of heavy, dirty rain, usually in the evening every so often.
When you know you're entering a more frequent season of rain, do you tend to just rinse the car off, do a basic wash, and not wax it again until you know things are going to be more clear?
I tend to do a wash/wax/polish before a rainy season, and then just hand wash the car once a week until things clear up again. I try to stay away from automated washes as much as possible.
We're entering the monsoon season for the summer, and so it's spurts of heavy, dirty rain, usually in the evening every so often.
When you know you're entering a more frequent season of rain, do you tend to just rinse the car off, do a basic wash, and not wax it again until you know things are going to be more clear?
I tend to do a wash/wax/polish before a rainy season, and then just hand wash the car once a week until things clear up again. I try to stay away from automated washes as much as possible.
Therefore, if it rained hard enough to get the dirt off, I wouldn't worry too much. If the rain was light, and got your car really sandy, I would wash it off to prevent scratches.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
well, it doesn't rain much here and I'm really **** about washing my car, so take my comments with a grain of salt...
most rain contains chemicals and other things that could adversely affect your cars' finish. I would say, if you don't have time to completely wash it, at least rinse it off with clean water.
most rain contains chemicals and other things that could adversely affect your cars' finish. I would say, if you don't have time to completely wash it, at least rinse it off with clean water.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 640
Likes: 5
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
2005 C240 4MATIC, 2020 GLC300 4MATIC
Rain drops in the summer here are mini-dirt bombs - it looks like someone used a paint gun filled with dirt clots on your car. And it sticks - hard.
