passnu2

iTrader: (33)

So where do you wash your car in the winter? I like to hand wash the car but its been too cold out this last month and i just recently moved to the downers grove area and not sure where to go or who to trust. I had a hand wash close to me in St Charles but thats about a 45 min drive now...

I called the dealer the last few weeks and the wash was closed assumed becuase of the cold weather. I have a leased car that will not be kept but i dont want it to look bad either.

Thanks and Happy Holidays to Everyone!!!

nn432100

Well ive only had the car since sept but since winter I take it to a heated car wash close by my house. My car is a lease too but i dont need it to be all glossy for winter. As long as I get all the salt off then im good. Ill go back to hand washing once its warmer out.

darksparkz

iTrader: (1)

I just go to the coin-operated washes so you can use their pressure washer and quickly do a wipe down yourself.

arpan176

all those socal people have it easy....i'm not sure putting extra effort in the summer is worth it anymore

ecstaticSC

iTrader: (3)

I never wash my car in the winter, but I do wipe the car down with a wet towel to get the salt off.

darksparkz

iTrader: (1)

Well if your able to keep it cleaner in the winter time, it makes it much easier to have it look nicer in the summer time. By cleaning up road salt every once in a while, it does preserve the clear coat much better then letting the salt eat it up.

You don't need to do a full detail in the winter time. But if your able to protect and seal the car with winter wax or sealant around Autumn, the car should be protected well even in the winter.

Some people get rinseless washes to wash their own cars inside a garage with very minimal water usage. I'd just run to the coin-ops with a wash mitt and some soap and do a quick spray down and wipe.

If not, you can do touchless washes, but the chemicals are so strong that they would remove any wax or sealant you have on the car.

But if you trust a certain detailer at a car wash location that isn't automated, that works as well.

VikH

iTrader: (5)

Honestly, I take it to Lexus of HP and they do a good job. Plus the wash is free, free food and wifi!

aliti19

auto expo hand car wash (in Libertyville) only for me in the winter. I will never go through a spinning brush car wash & touchless doesn't clean the car at all.
I might wash it in the garage today though. It's not too cold.

nn432100

yea automatic car washes are not for me either. Todays 50 degree weather is feeling damn good though!

allklr

iTrader: (1)

Sudsational in Elmwood Park is a great hand car wash, since we have had so much snow I either go through the touchless or one of the coin operated DIY's to get the junk of my car.

PetesLS400

I do a touchless, it doesnt do a good job but at least washes off the salt and mud.

Batmobile

iTrader: (2)

touchless leaves the car pretty dirty but it "looks" clean... don't use a good cloth or absorber to wipe it down afterwards though.... trust me

ecstaticSC

iTrader: (3)

Are touchless wash stations safe for lowered cars to go through?

ChronoJ1

iTrader: (2)

There are ones with rails and ones without.

This place in Schaumburg have 3 no touch bays, and only 1 of the three is rail-less.

PetesLS400

Theres a new place in Bartlett, touchless with no rails. Has a Debit car pay machine right before you drive in, very convenient.