Washing her in cold weather

Krockit1 · 11-03-2013, 12:08 PM

What do you do when weather is sub 60 degrees? I've always fought this just before storing my cars for the winter. I hate to stop driving them, but in Wisconsin there comes that time and invariably the car is pretty dirty. Like my M right now. And it's 45 out.

///M Power-Belgium · 11-03-2013, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krockit1

What do you do when weather is sub 60 degrees? I've always fought this just before storing my cars for the winter. I hate to stop driving them, but in Wisconsin there comes that time and invariably the car is pretty dirty. Like my M right now. And it's 45 out.

1-When it's not freezing outside than wash the car before storing for hibernation .
2-Get her on a battery tender see # 26 on this page >>>http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=872785&page=2
Last year we had temps - 19 ° Celsius and my car was 4 months in hibernation !
So...same problem here....

Krockit1 · 11-03-2013, 12:31 PM

Yep the mechanical process I have down pat. It's just getting the car clean in cold weather that is the problem. Anybody out there hand wash when temps are in the 50s??

///M Power-Belgium · 11-03-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krockit1

Yep the mechanical process I have down pat. It's just getting the car clean in cold weather that is the problem. Anybody out there hand wash when temps are in the 50s??

50s fahrenheit is about +10° Celsius...what is your problem man ?

eternallx · 11-03-2013, 01:19 PM

Wash the wheels with a hot/warm bucket of water+soap. Then pre rinse the car and foam gun if you have. Use 2 bucket system with hot water+soap.

Arben72 · 11-03-2013, 03:32 PM

I just wash it in my heated garage. Coldest I hand washed in was -20 outside...

LarThaL · 11-03-2013, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krockit1

What do you do when weather is sub 60 degrees? I've always fought this just before storing my cars for the winter. I hate to stop driving them, but in Wisconsin there comes that time and invariably the car is pretty dirty. Like my M right now. And it's 45 out.

Get the major grime off with a power washer, then pull it into your garage and use Griot's Spray-On Car Wash with the their thick green microfiber towels. I have been using the stuff now for years, even on my daily driver black Porsche Cayenne. I have been very happy with the results. The best part is that once you buff dry, you have a brilliant finish that needs no further waxing.

However, 45 degrees isn't too cold to wash IMO.

FlyM3_R1 · 11-03-2013, 03:40 PM

Someone should open a 'heated car wash warehouse' in areas like that. Here in central Texas it doesn't get cold enough to not wash outside.

purcellj · 11-03-2013, 04:16 PM

I hand wash outside down into the low 40F's. The secret is 5mm scuba gloves. Most of the time, my hands aren't even wet after removing the gloves.
John

Krockit1 · 11-03-2013, 04:24 PM

Thanks fellas. I will definitely try the Griot's Spray-On. You always wonder about this kind of product. Doesn't seem safe but if it works on black it'll work on everything... I kinda went that route today- after a good run to warm the car completely, went through a very high grade touchless automatic wash, then eased the 4 miles home, drove into the garage, shut the door and raised the hood. The engine heat brought the air temp up enough to use Meguiar's polymer based final detail as a drying agent. I used 2/3s of the bottle with great results, She's ready for her winter sleep.... full tank with Stabil, 50 lbs in the tires, battery maintainer hooked up, dryer sheets in trunk, under hood and in the interior- the mice hate the smell. And covered. Sad day indeed but good to know she'll be ready for Spring!

PhillyNate · 11-03-2013, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purcellj

I hand wash outside down into the low 40F's. The secret is 5mm scuba gloves. Most of the time, my hands aren't even wet after removing the gloves.
John

WOW! 55 degrees is about my limit outside. Thankfully I have a heater in my tiny garage.

Poppin Fresh · 11-03-2013, 05:37 PM

I got a heated garage with a drain so cleaning the car isn't that bad for me.

gblansten · 11-03-2013, 05:52 PM

ONR Wash and Wax. Couple ounces and one gallon of warm water and some microfiber towels and just wash it while it sits in the garage. You won't get that much water on the floor of the garage and what does will evaporate after a few hours.

http://www.detailedimage.com/Optimum...P709/32-oz-S1/

///M Power-Belgium · 11-03-2013, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyM3_R1

Someone should open a 'heated car wash warehouse' in areas like that. Here in central Texas it doesn't get cold enough to not wash outside.

Lucky guy....

Gamboa989 · 11-03-2013, 05:58 PM

I just finished washing my car in swim shorts lol. I do love to live in paradise

tjsabec · 11-03-2013, 06:56 PM

It was 49 & sunny here today. I washed outside with a bucket of really warm water... Not bad at all. When I put the car away for winter, I'll wash, clay bar, and then wax all in my garage. I like to take my time just doing portions of the car in each session. My garage isn't heated, but it is under the house and stays about 55 degrees.

Gkap · 11-03-2013, 08:17 PM

find a friend who lives in a condo with an underground wash bay.

///Matt.BLU · 11-03-2013, 08:17 PM

washed my car for 2 hours this morning in the cold. dress warm and tough it out i guess.

IzzyGray · 11-03-2013, 08:18 PM

Where in WI are you? I'm in Greenfield and use a local body shop(Racine where I used to live) I trust to hand wash my vehicles in their heated bays during winter. There's a couple of places that does it but only this specific shop passed my hand wash test(soap cannon for initial wash down, dual bucket technique, etc.). PM me if you need names.

Krockit1 · 11-03-2013, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IzzyGray

Where in WI are you? I'm in Greenfield and use a local body shop(Racine where I used to live) I trust to hand wash my vehicles in their heated bays during winter. There's a couple of places that does it but only this specific shop passed my hand wash test(soap cannon for initial wash down, dual bucket technique, etc.). PM me if you need names.

I don't drive it in winter and by the time I got home from Racine she wouldn't be fit to store. Thanks for the offer, though.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-03-2013, 08:53 PM

When I drove my e46 ///M3 in Alberta Canada temperatures around -20 C (that would be - 4 F) I took her to a closed self wash (doors open when you drive in and close behind you, the place had about 12 separate stalls and when one was free the next car drove in ~ I always picked late night hours not busy and was able to also dry my car by hand) it had everything we needed even an air dryer, so no problem at all.

All depends to how far you have to drive to find such a facility, otherwise get a winter beater and put that nice ///M3 under a winter cover

BMW Fanatic · 11-03-2013, 08:56 PM

MAN UP! We get -40 celsius (with wind chill) over here which funnily enough equates to -40 fahrenheit and if I can wash my car outside then so can you. I've only lived in this climate for 4 years too.

Anything over 15 fahrenheit is nothing to complain about lol. Oh and before I forget, we live in snow for about 5 months. I guess the stereotypes about Canada are true.

11-03-2013, 12:08 PM	#1
Krockit1 First Lieutenant 51 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Dousman, WI iTrader: (0)	Washing her in cold weather What do you do when weather is sub 60 degrees? I've always fought this just before storing my cars for the winter. I hate to stop driving them, but in Wisconsin there comes that time and invariably the car is pretty dirty. Like my M right now. And it's 45 out. __________________ As a matter of fact, I did steal it
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11-03-2013, 12:31 PM	#3
Krockit1 First Lieutenant 51 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Dousman, WI iTrader: (0)	Yep the mechanical process I have down pat. It's just getting the car clean in cold weather that is the problem. Anybody out there hand wash when temps are in the 50s?? __________________ As a matter of fact, I did steal it
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11-03-2013, 01:19 PM	#5
eternallx Looking 252 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 0.0 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bergen County, NJ iTrader: (9)	Wash the wheels with a hot/warm bucket of water+soap. Then pre rinse the car and foam gun if you have. Use 2 bucket system with hot water+soap. __________________ @DCxGarage IG:
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11-03-2013, 03:32 PM	#6
Arben72 Banned 50 Rep 462 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	I just wash it in my heated garage. Coldest I hand washed in was -20 outside...
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11-03-2013, 03:40 PM	#8
FlyM3_R1 Smooth shifts 4 Rep 63 Posts Drives: E92 6MT Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 [10.00]	Someone should open a 'heated car wash warehouse' in areas like that. Here in central Texas it doesn't get cold enough to not wash outside. __________________ 2008 E92 6MT M3 (Silverstone metallic/CF roof) 1999 Yamaha R1 (soon to have BMW HP4) Helicopter pilot (R22 and R44)
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11-03-2013, 04:16 PM	#9
purcellj New Member 3 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Philly, PA iTrader: (0)	I hand wash outside down into the low 40F's. The secret is 5mm scuba gloves. Most of the time, my hands aren't even wet after removing the gloves. John
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11-03-2013, 04:24 PM	#10
Krockit1 First Lieutenant 51 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Dousman, WI iTrader: (0)	Thanks fellas. I will definitely try the Griot's Spray-On. You always wonder about this kind of product. Doesn't seem safe but if it works on black it'll work on everything... I kinda went that route today- after a good run to warm the car completely, went through a very high grade touchless automatic wash, then eased the 4 miles home, drove into the garage, shut the door and raised the hood. The engine heat brought the air temp up enough to use Meguiar's polymer based final detail as a drying agent. I used 2/3s of the bottle with great results, She's ready for her winter sleep.... full tank with Stabil, 50 lbs in the tires, battery maintainer hooked up, dryer sheets in trunk, under hood and in the interior- the mice hate the smell. And covered. Sad day indeed but good to know she'll be ready for Spring! __________________ As a matter of fact, I did steal it
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11-03-2013, 05:37 PM	#12
Poppin Fresh Colonel 86 Rep 2,148 Posts Drives: With a sunroof and front plate Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bergen County NJ iTrader: (0)	I got a heated garage with a drain so cleaning the car isn't that bad for me. __________________
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11-03-2013, 05:52 PM	#13
gblansten Brigadier General 1977 Rep 4,225 Posts Drives: 23 Tesla S Plaid Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Thick ascending limb iTrader: (0)	ONR Wash and Wax. Couple ounces and one gallon of warm water and some microfiber towels and just wash it while it sits in the garage. You won't get that much water on the floor of the garage and what does will evaporate after a few hours. http://www.detailedimage.com/Optimum...P709/32-oz-S1/
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11-03-2013, 05:58 PM	#15
Gamboa989 Private First Class 9 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 2012 335i E92 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Cape Coral, Fl iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 Bmw 328i [0.00]	I just finished washing my car in swim shorts lol. I do love to live in paradise
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11-03-2013, 06:56 PM	#16
tjsabec Captain 53 Rep 620 Posts Drives: 2008, e90, alpine white, 6mt Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Morgantown, wv iTrader: (2)	It was 49 & sunny here today. I washed outside with a bucket of really warm water... Not bad at all. When I put the car away for winter, I'll wash, clay bar, and then wax all in my garage. I like to take my time just doing portions of the car in each session. My garage isn't heated, but it is under the house and stays about 55 degrees.
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11-03-2013, 08:17 PM	#17
Gkap BMF Movement 51 Rep 3,024 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: GTA iTrader: (1)	find a friend who lives in a condo with an underground wash bay.
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11-03-2013, 08:17 PM	#18
///Matt.BLU Second Lieutenant 31 Rep 215 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	washed my car for 2 hours this morning in the cold. dress warm and tough it out i guess.
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11-03-2013, 08:18 PM	#19
IzzyGray Lieutenant 27 Rep 472 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (3)	Where in WI are you? I'm in Greenfield and use a local body shop(Racine where I used to live) I trust to hand wash my vehicles in their heated bays during winter. There's a couple of places that does it but only this specific shop passed my hand wash test(soap cannon for initial wash down, dual bucket technique, etc.). PM me if you need names.
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11-03-2013, 08:53 PM	#21
Mr. ///M3 RD Happy Camper 613 Rep 7,869 Posts Drives: C63 AMG & 280 SL on Weekends : Join Date: May 2010 Location: GTA, Ontario - Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 1969 Restored Merce ... [7.50] 2011 M3 Coupe TRADED [7.34] 1987 BMW 535is [1.00] Cars from the Past [6.50] The ///M3 Engine S65 [9.59]	When I drove my e46 ///M3 in Alberta Canada temperatures around -20 C (that would be - 4 F) I took her to a closed self wash (doors open when you drive in and close behind you, the place had about 12 separate stalls and when one was free the next car drove in ~ I always picked late night hours not busy and was able to also dry my car by hand) it had everything we needed even an air dryer, so no problem at all. All depends to how far you have to drive to find such a facility, otherwise get a winter beater and put that nice ///M3 under a winter cover __________________ Cheers, Rolf-Dieter Life will take us to some interesting places, fortunately The ///M3 will too with a many of us know this very well, now my C6.3 AMG with 487 HP does it too ---> Click here for some good stuff I found
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11-03-2013, 08:56 PM	#22
BMW Fanatic Banned 135 Rep 3,293 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calgary iTrader: (11)	MAN UP! We get -40 celsius (with wind chill) over here which funnily enough equates to -40 fahrenheit and if I can wash my car outside then so can you. I've only lived in this climate for 4 years too. Anything over 15 fahrenheit is nothing to complain about lol. Oh and before I forget, we live in snow for about 5 months. I guess the stereotypes about Canada are true.
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