Washing car in cold weather?
Washing car in cold weather?
For those living in cold-weather climates (30s-40s), how do you keep your car clean without taking it to the carwash?
I only hand wash and there are no brushless carwashes anywhere near me.
I only hand wash and there are no brushless carwashes anywhere near me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 182
Mercedes-Benz E63s AMG
There are really no good solutions aside from an in-door wash bay. If you're desperate you can use ONR in the garage, but you'll get a lot of dirt on your garage floor and have to wash the garage out at some point. Other option is to find a good detailer in your area that has an indoor wash bay and have them wash the car. My car is DISGUSTING right now...
I'm getting desperate and may just bite the bullet and take to a swirl tunnel... but I know I'm gonna regret it afterwards... especially with a black car and those never really clean the rims or aftermarket rear CF diffuser to my satisfaction.
I'm getting desperate and may just bite the bullet and take to a swirl tunnel... but I know I'm gonna regret it afterwards... especially with a black car and those never really clean the rims or aftermarket rear CF diffuser to my satisfaction.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 44
Likes: 18
C63s, the good sounding one
Describe cold...
Many in my area call 50 degrees cold. To me, that’s still T-shirt weather. When it’s cold (below 50), I use normal procedure except fill my wash bucket with hot water from inside, but rinse with water from the hose. Then dry as normal, which is, I always blow dry my cars with the leaf blower. LOL. When I’m finished I can collect the remaining water with a hand towel.
Many in my area call 50 degrees cold. To me, that’s still T-shirt weather. When it’s cold (below 50), I use normal procedure except fill my wash bucket with hot water from inside, but rinse with water from the hose. Then dry as normal, which is, I always blow dry my cars with the leaf blower. LOL. When I’m finished I can collect the remaining water with a hand towel.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 373
Likes: 89
From: Chicago, IL
2019 c63s coupe, 2008 s63 sedan, 2007 335i coupe
My dealer will hand wash if i am desperate.. I have them do it on my old 335 which has a way way softer clear coat and they don't swirl the clear coat at all.. I have multiple flash lights that replicate sun light and prob well over 5k in detail supplies so trust me i know if it gets swirled. I can't stand swirls!!!!! but unless i make it up to my folks house and hand wash myself i am screwed.. Love to find someone close to me in Chicago that can wash it inside for me. Most of the guys i know are outside the city and I don't wanna drive 20-40 miles for a car wash.. I have a shared garage in the city with no heat so it sucks..The folks have a heated garage with drain and sink but sometimes i don't have the time to drive up or my back is in bad shape so I couldn't do it anyways.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 264
From: Portland, OR
C450, GLC43
Describe cold...
Many in my area call 50 degrees cold. To me, that’s still T-shirt weather. When it’s cold (below 50), I use normal procedure except fill my wash bucket with hot water from inside, but rinse with water from the hose. Then dry as normal, which is, I always blow dry my cars with the leaf blower. LOL. When I’m finished I can collect the remaining water with a hand towel.
Many in my area call 50 degrees cold. To me, that’s still T-shirt weather. When it’s cold (below 50), I use normal procedure except fill my wash bucket with hot water from inside, but rinse with water from the hose. Then dry as normal, which is, I always blow dry my cars with the leaf blower. LOL. When I’m finished I can collect the remaining water with a hand towel.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 5,356
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Don't really have that problem, it was in the 70s today 
. Occasionally we can see temps drop into the 40s during the winter. Typically the winters here are wet, though, and I just accept that the car stays kinda dirty during the rainy months. I have a touchless automated wash and a self-service wash within less than a mile of my house, so that's what I use mostly during the winter and then once spring comes along and the storms are over, I give it a good hand wash.
Regarding using leaf blowers to dry the car, my understanding is that leaf blowers don't have a filter, so they shoot whatever they suck up from the environment directly at the car's paint. While drying the lower parts of the car, it's likely to suck up dust and dirt from the ground and shoot it at the car. I used to dread drying my cars until I learned about the water sheeting method. Takes off most of the water and then what's left is easly picked up with a large size microfiber towel. As the last step I use the Adam's Sidekick Blaster to get the water out of the nook and crannies, such as window trim, mirrors, gaps around the lights, wheels and the front fascia. Basically the areas that are hard or impossible to reach with a towel. The blaster is made specifically for drying cars. It blows filtered and heated air
https://adamspolishes.com/products/a...aster-sidekick
. Occasionally we can see temps drop into the 40s during the winter. Typically the winters here are wet, though, and I just accept that the car stays kinda dirty during the rainy months. I have a touchless automated wash and a self-service wash within less than a mile of my house, so that's what I use mostly during the winter and then once spring comes along and the storms are over, I give it a good hand wash.Regarding using leaf blowers to dry the car, my understanding is that leaf blowers don't have a filter, so they shoot whatever they suck up from the environment directly at the car's paint. While drying the lower parts of the car, it's likely to suck up dust and dirt from the ground and shoot it at the car. I used to dread drying my cars until I learned about the water sheeting method. Takes off most of the water and then what's left is easly picked up with a large size microfiber towel. As the last step I use the Adam's Sidekick Blaster to get the water out of the nook and crannies, such as window trim, mirrors, gaps around the lights, wheels and the front fascia. Basically the areas that are hard or impossible to reach with a towel. The blaster is made specifically for drying cars. It blows filtered and heated air
https://adamspolishes.com/products/a...aster-sidekick
Last edited by superswiss; Nov 17, 2019 at 07:54 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 28
From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
Don't really have that problem, it was in the 70s today . Occasionally we can see temps drop into the 40s during the winter. Typically the winters here are wet, though, and I just accept that the car stays kinda dirty during the rainy months. I have a touchless automated wash and a self-service wash within less than a mile of my house, so that's what I use mostly during the winter and then once spring comes along and the storms are over, I give it a good hand wash.
Regarding using leaf blowers to dry the car, my understand is that leaf blowers don't have a filter, so they shoot whatever they suck up from the environment directly at the car's paint. While drying the lower parts of the car, it's likely to suck up dust and dirt from the ground and shoot it at the car. I used to dread drying my cars until I learned about the water sheeting method. Takes off most of the water and then what's left is easly picked up with a large size microfiber towel. As the last step I use the Adam's Sidekick Blaster to get the water out of the nook and crannies, such as window trim, mirrors, gaps around the lights, wheels and the front fascia. Basically the areas that are hard or impossible to reach with a towel. The blaster is made specifically for drying cars. It blows filtered and heated air
https://adamspolishes.com/products/a...aster-sidekick
. Occasionally we can see temps drop into the 40s during the winter. Typically the winters here are wet, though, and I just accept that the car stays kinda dirty during the rainy months. I have a touchless automated wash and a self-service wash within less than a mile of my house, so that's what I use mostly during the winter and then once spring comes along and the storms are over, I give it a good hand wash.Regarding using leaf blowers to dry the car, my understand is that leaf blowers don't have a filter, so they shoot whatever they suck up from the environment directly at the car's paint. While drying the lower parts of the car, it's likely to suck up dust and dirt from the ground and shoot it at the car. I used to dread drying my cars until I learned about the water sheeting method. Takes off most of the water and then what's left is easly picked up with a large size microfiber towel. As the last step I use the Adam's Sidekick Blaster to get the water out of the nook and crannies, such as window trim, mirrors, gaps around the lights, wheels and the front fascia. Basically the areas that are hard or impossible to reach with a towel. The blaster is made specifically for drying cars. It blows filtered and heated air
https://adamspolishes.com/products/a...aster-sidekick
Looks interesting..
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 5,356
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
There's also a larger version to dry the entire car.
https://adamspolishes.com/products/a...ter-revolution
https://adamspolishes.com/products/a...ter-revolution
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 287
From: Toronto, ON
2021 Mercedes C63s AMG Coupe
Don't really have that problem, it was in the 70s today . Occasionally we can see temps drop into the 40s during the winter. Typically the winters here are wet, though, and I just accept that the car stays kinda dirty during the rainy months. I have a touchless automated wash and a self-service wash within less than a mile of my house, so that's what I use mostly during the winter and then once spring comes along and the storms are over, I give it a good hand wash.
Regarding using leaf blowers to dry the car, my understanding is that leaf blowers don't have a filter, so they shoot whatever they suck up from the environment directly at the car's paint. While drying the lower parts of the car, it's likely to suck up dust and dirt from the ground and shoot it at the car. I used to dread drying my cars until I learned about the water sheeting method. Takes off most of the water and then what's left is easly picked up with a large size microfiber towel. As the last step I use the Adam's Sidekick Blaster to get the water out of the nook and crannies, such as window trim, mirrors, gaps around the lights, wheels and the front fascia. Basically the areas that are hard or impossible to reach with a towel. The blaster is made specifically for drying cars. It blows filtered and heated air
https://adamspolishes.com/products/a...aster-sidekick
. Occasionally we can see temps drop into the 40s during the winter. Typically the winters here are wet, though, and I just accept that the car stays kinda dirty during the rainy months. I have a touchless automated wash and a self-service wash within less than a mile of my house, so that's what I use mostly during the winter and then once spring comes along and the storms are over, I give it a good hand wash.Regarding using leaf blowers to dry the car, my understanding is that leaf blowers don't have a filter, so they shoot whatever they suck up from the environment directly at the car's paint. While drying the lower parts of the car, it's likely to suck up dust and dirt from the ground and shoot it at the car. I used to dread drying my cars until I learned about the water sheeting method. Takes off most of the water and then what's left is easly picked up with a large size microfiber towel. As the last step I use the Adam's Sidekick Blaster to get the water out of the nook and crannies, such as window trim, mirrors, gaps around the lights, wheels and the front fascia. Basically the areas that are hard or impossible to reach with a towel. The blaster is made specifically for drying cars. It blows filtered and heated air
https://adamspolishes.com/products/a...aster-sidekick
Did not think about the air being filtered before. I used to blow dry the car using this . This thing was like a mini hurricane.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 381
Likes: 136
From: AZ
2018 C63S Coupe
I never have this problem because I never wash my car. Seriously!!! My car is protected with Ceramic Pro and so I only clean it by using Mothers Waterless Wash & Wax and great microfiber towels. I have a very specific process that all in including cleaning the wheels & calipers only takes about 1.5 hours and the car comes away looking incredible.
Now if it rains (I live in AZ so not much rain) or for some reason the car got really filthy I will take it to a self serve and spray off the grit with water only...including the wheel wells, etc...then I power dry it on the way home by taking the interstate...LOL And then once it cools down after I get home it is Mothers time.
Now if it rains (I live in AZ so not much rain) or for some reason the car got really filthy I will take it to a self serve and spray off the grit with water only...including the wheel wells, etc...then I power dry it on the way home by taking the interstate...LOL And then once it cools down after I get home it is Mothers time.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 372
From: Austin, TX
2017 Porsche 911 C4
I just gave mine a wash yesterday (mid-60’s) and I use the leaf blower drying method. The key to this is to make sure you blow off all the dirt/leaves/etc around where you’re washing the car before you park your car and start washing. Then when you’re done, the leaf blower won’t be kicking up dirt and crap all over from the ground onto the car.
It’s a good way to get a lot of water off and get the nooks and crannies (door jams, gas cap, etc.) where you’ll see water drip. I then use a microfiber towel to dry off the spots the leaf blower couldn’t blow off.
I think it had been at least 3 months since I last washed, she looks like a brand new car!
It’s a good way to get a lot of water off and get the nooks and crannies (door jams, gas cap, etc.) where you’ll see water drip. I then use a microfiber towel to dry off the spots the leaf blower couldn’t blow off.
I think it had been at least 3 months since I last washed, she looks like a brand new car!
Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 139
Likes: 39
From: Iowa
2014 CLA45; 2019 C63s
I drive my car through Mr. Car Wash all winter. The same way I do it about three times per week in the summer, spring, or fall.
I'm in the Midwest. It goes from below zero F cold to 100 F hot in the course of a year. We drive in mud, rain, snow, sleet, dust, and salt.
Monthly unlimited car wash clubs are very popular, because you may be washing your car three or four times a week in order to keep it clean.
I bought my car to drive it, and that means washing it. Sure I get some swirls, but a good clay bar and wax treatment once a year makes it look nearly new again.
I'm in the Midwest. It goes from below zero F cold to 100 F hot in the course of a year. We drive in mud, rain, snow, sleet, dust, and salt.
Monthly unlimited car wash clubs are very popular, because you may be washing your car three or four times a week in order to keep it clean.
I bought my car to drive it, and that means washing it. Sure I get some swirls, but a good clay bar and wax treatment once a year makes it look nearly new again.
Mine's a DD, so I'll be driving year round too, but not going to risk ruining my xpel and full ceramic coating in a regular car wash.
I'm now dissuaded from those self-wash car wash bays with the potential of spraying dirty recycled water on my car.
I may just have to bite the bullet and get it detailed every so often.
I'm now dissuaded from those self-wash car wash bays with the potential of spraying dirty recycled water on my car.
I may just have to bite the bullet and get it detailed every so often.
I drive my car through Mr. Car Wash all winter. The same way I do it about three times per week in the summer, spring, or fall.
I'm in the Midwest. It goes from below zero F cold to 100 F hot in the course of a year. We drive in mud, rain, snow, sleet, dust, and salt.
Monthly unlimited car wash clubs are very popular, because you may be washing your car three or four times a week in order to keep it clean.
I bought my car to drive it, and that means washing it. Sure I get some swirls, but a good clay bar and wax treatment once a year makes it look nearly new again.
I'm in the Midwest. It goes from below zero F cold to 100 F hot in the course of a year. We drive in mud, rain, snow, sleet, dust, and salt.
Monthly unlimited car wash clubs are very popular, because you may be washing your car three or four times a week in order to keep it clean.
I bought my car to drive it, and that means washing it. Sure I get some swirls, but a good clay bar and wax treatment once a year makes it look nearly new again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 315
From: Pearland, Tx
2020 AMG GTC Coupe & 2018 Macan Turbo
I remember going home to visit my folks one year. While there, I managed a date. Not wanting to have a dirty car on a first date, I chose to wash it. How cold was it? It ws cold enough I used warm water. As I was wiping it off, I heard a scratching noise. I realized the excess water was freezing on the car...
Yeah, I'm that ****.
Yeah, I'm that ****.
