View Poll Results: Method of Choice
brave the cold and still hand wash/spray wand wash
19
50.00%
don't wash
0
0%
touchless (no cloth) automatic
8
21.05%
drive-thru/cloth automatic
11
28.95%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll
Winter Washing
12-06-18, 07:38 AM
#16
Rookie
Thread Starter
I only go through the touchless with the GS, and maybe three times since I've bought the car...it is one where I park and an arm comes out and sprays back and forth over the car. I always prefer to hand wash, and try to avoid driving on rainy days in general.
I will check out the ONR, it seems reasonable for the minimal soiling I will have on the car. Thankfully I have an SUV for inclement days.
I will check out the ONR, it seems reasonable for the minimal soiling I will have on the car. Thankfully I have an SUV for inclement days.
12-06-18, 07:54 AM
#17
Lexus Champion
Touchless washes are a good compromise when needed. The only issue with them is that the chemicals they use are pretty strong, so they tend to strip off wax and coatings. But every now and then I think they are perfectly fine.
12-06-18, 08:06 AM
#18
This is my first 'proper' winter with a car, so have been experimenting with my own waterless wash & wax solution that should be more effective at cleaning off salt spray than instant detailer (I drive my SUV when there's enough salt/snow on the road to cause buildup). Planning to post a recipe if I can get it working right!
12-06-18, 09:09 AM
#19
To prepare for winter, I spent the last few weeks of late October clay bar, wax, and add sealant all my cars. Makes it much easier to only do minor maintenance washes during the winter months.
Of course, SoCal weather is nicer in the winter, not so bad outside for a hand wash.
Of course, SoCal weather is nicer in the winter, not so bad outside for a hand wash.
12-06-18, 12:47 PM
#20
No auto car washes for me. Hand wash only no matter the temperature. I do live in TX so not a lot of cold days. On those days I wash outside and then move it into the garage to dry it. I also wear rubber gloves in the cold to wash and that does make a difference.
12-06-18, 12:58 PM
#21
Originally Posted by lamikela1
No auto car washes for me. Hand wash only no matter the temperature. I do live in TX so not a lot of cold days. On those days I wash outside and then move it into the garage to dry it. I also wear rubber gloves in the cold to wash and that does make a difference.
12-06-18, 01:07 PM
#22
Lexus Test Driver
Anytime something touches the finish (be it cloth, towel, mitt, sponge, etc.) to remove dirt, grit, grime, salt, etc. it scratches that finish. If you are hand-washing your car you are still scratching the finish, maybe even more than a high-tech car wash. And, the more often you wash ('touch') it, the more scratches you put on that finish. Lastly, do you blow-dry the finish, or do you touch it yet again with towels? You touch it and you scratch it!
Last edited by bclexus; 12-06-18 at 01:14 PM.
12-06-18, 01:12 PM
#23
Originally Posted by bclexus
Anytime something touches the finish (be it cloth, towel, mitt, sponge, etc.) to remove dirt, grit, grime, salt, etc. it scratches that finish. If you are hand-washing your car you are still scratching the finish, maybe even more than a high-tech car wash. And, the more often you wash ('touch') it, the more scratches you put on that finish. Lastly, do you blow-dry the finish, are do you touch it yet again with towels? You touch it and scratch it!
12-06-18, 01:26 PM
#24
Lexus Test Driver
Rain-X Complete Surface Protectant
Rain-X Complete delivers increased shine, better surface protection, and water repellency for safer driving in poor weather.
For years, the Rain-X brand has been the name in glass treatment for better visibility while driving.
Using the same advanced water repelling technology, the Rain-X product family has evolved to include paint protection and polish products.
Rain-X Complete Surface Protectant is engineered to create a water repellent layer that chemically bonds to all exterior vehicle surfaces, including glass, paint, trim and plastics.
After application, Rain-X Complete’s surface reactive polymer molecules help level out the microscopic irregularities on vehicle surfaces to enhance shine and water beading for long-lasting performance.
As much as I've tried I just can't seem to find much information about this Rain-X Complete Surface Protectant on the web so I can learn more about it and how it works. I have learned that 1 ounce of concentrated product is the recommended amount used per vehicle. I suspect it works very similar to the HydrO2 product in that the application is made by spraying the product on the car's entire surface diluted with water, and then pretty much immediately it is blasted off with high-pressure water spray, much like the HydrO2 product is applied.
12-06-18, 01:30 PM
#25
Originally Posted by bclexus
A few years ago I was talking with a neighbor that owns a number of beautiful high-end cars (Bentley, Aston Martin, McLaren, Jaguar, etc.) and he said the Rain-X Complete Surface Protectant offered in some high-tech automated car washes is very similar to the HydrO2 type sealant in that an once or less of the Rain-X product is mixed with water at a 1:3 ratio and sprayed onto the car's surface at a prescribed time in the car wash cycle of events (after cleaning but before something else that I don't recall) and within seconds is blasted off with high-pressure water. He seemed to know what he was talking about - he said he works with nanotechnology and specializes in surface catalytic reaction.
As much as I've tried I just can't seem to find much information about this Rain-X Complete Surface Protectant on the web so I can learn more about it and how it works. I have learned that 1 ounce of concentrated product is the recommended amount used per vehicle. I suspect it works very similar to the HydrO2 product in that the application is made by spraying the product on the car's entire surface diluted with water, and then pretty much immediately it is blasted off with high-pressure water spray, much like the HydrO2 product is applied.
As much as I've tried I just can't seem to find much information about this Rain-X Complete Surface Protectant on the web so I can learn more about it and how it works. I have learned that 1 ounce of concentrated product is the recommended amount used per vehicle. I suspect it works very similar to the HydrO2 product in that the application is made by spraying the product on the car's entire surface diluted with water, and then pretty much immediately it is blasted off with high-pressure water spray, much like the HydrO2 product is applied.
12-06-18, 01:57 PM
#27
Lexus Test Driver
12-06-18, 05:00 PM
#28
Pole Position
One advantage with automatic pressure washes is that most tend to spray the underside. Living in the rust belt this is a must. It's hard to clean underneath with a garden hose.
12-06-18, 05:28 PM
#29
