Car wash?

[JumpSquadAuto]

For those of you who live in the northern states, how do you wash your truck in the winter? I mean I understand washing it in your driveway during the warmer months with a pressure washer. That is what I do, but when it gets cold out, I detach my hoses from the outside faucet so I don’t run the risk of my pipes freezing or bursting. So, using a pressure washer isn’t feasible.

For me it really comes down to the situation. If I get any warmer days (over 35), I jump on hand washing with a plastic glove and a hose. Shrinkable hoses are great to use and easily store in a wash bucket cause they take up less space and easy to move around. Typically have things ceramic coated so can use a touchless car wash for a quick/easy wash.

If I have a bunch of salt caked onto the fenders from a long trip, go to a self-service car wash and use the pressure hose there to rinse down and I try to go off hours so I can bring a bucket, mitt, and soap and wash it a little better.

This video breaks down all the winter options.

How to Wash your Car in Freezing Winter Temps!

This video is for drivers who want to continue driving their cars, despite freezing outside temperatures. We discuss 3 different, but somewhat similar, techn...

www.youtube.com

 

[BusaDave]

funny you ask. I got my TRX about 2 weeks ago. Went to bluewave. asked the employee if truck would fit and they said yes. So i got the high plan. I go the 3 rd time this past Suanday and manager comes out and says that they would be cancelling my membership because truck was to wide/big and it damaged some part in the wash track. Made me back up, moved the long line for me and refunded my payment.
oh well. guess i ll have to wash my truck myself or pay someone.

Find a different car wash. Where I go if fits fine as did my Gen 1 Raptor. That is something for everyone to think about though!! If the truck jumps the was track and depending what kind of wash system it uses it could get ugly fast!

 

[Awallrx]

You and me both, that shit is for the birds lol. You other guys are crazy , just thinking about spending 4 hours washing my car pisses me off . I plan on ceramic coating mine so I can be lazy and use a touchless, and have a good detailer go through it every so often.

This is what I did.

 

[WV TRX Girl]

For those of you who live in the northern states, how do you wash your truck in the winter? I mean I understand washing it in your driveway during the warmer months with a pressure washer. That is what I do, but when it gets cold out, I detach my hoses from the outside faucet so I don’t run the risk of my pipes freezing or bursting. So, using a pressure washer isn’t feasible.

I have hot and cold water access outside (frost proof faucet). Keep my pressure washer and hoses in the garage which is heated enough to keep them from freezing.

 

[Raven]

When I do wash at home I use a foam cannon attached to my Yamaha gasoline pressure washer and water is filtered through the CR Spotless System and dry it with this Monster. I used it last winter to blow snow even. Takes less than 3 minutes to completely dry the truck and wheels completely.

PB-9010T X Series Backpack Blower with Tube-Mounted Throttle | ECHO

The world's most powerful backpack blower. Learn more about the PB-9010T and other blowers today at ECHO.

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Similar to my home carwash arsenal. I use an Adams Premium foam cannon on a 3,000 PSI pressure washer, a Montana boars head brush on telescoping handle and a Stihl BR600 backpack blower for drying. This system even works in CO and MN winters if I pick a day above freezing. Going to be interesting to see how this works on my TRX after the Stealth wrap and ceramic coat. I'm thinking I may be able to skip the brush step in most instances. Just foam it, pressure spray it and blow dry.

 

[RobR651]

I think the @TheBoz post was asking / getting at what do folks use when it is freezing and spraying water outside is not an option. It’s why I posted the IK sprayer and the waterless wash as an option for taking care of things inside of a garage. Pressure washers are great and the preferred method, but you don’t want to leave your driveway an ice skating rink.

 

[TheBoz]

Yes, during the warm months of the year, I also use a form canon on my pressure washer and wash my vehicles in the driveway. During the winter months, that is not an option for me. My garage is not insulated enough to protect my pressure washer against freezing temperatures. So, I winterize mine to prevent dry rot, rust, the pump freezing and cracking, etc. The ideas posted in this thread have been very helpful. Thanks to everyone for your feedback.

 

[Mr310]

Hey any of you guys taken this through a car wash yet? Will it fit?

We city folk here in LA have a car wash guy come to the home or office inside and out $25.00 per car or truck

 

[Mr310]

It's really $20.00 plus a $5.00 tip $25.00. Here in LA we have tons of these guys very average price

 

[OnTheReel]

There’s usually a number of “dually friendly” washes in any given rust belt city. We have two. They are both those old Laserwash touchless things with the one arm that goes around the whole vehicle. Underbody flush as you drive in. If it’s not super freezing cold…like above 20…stop in the lot after the wash. Get a pile of microfibers and some waterless wash to touch up because they don’t do the greatest job. Just the best you can do in winter.

 

[Raven]

Microfiber wipe after a poor wash job is asking for scratches unless you are fully wrapped.

 

[Bshizzle]

I run my Raptor through the carwash multiple times a week. TRX on order is within a inch or so…hopefully no problems because I ordered black

 

[RobR651]

I run my Raptor through the carwash multiple times a week. TRX on order is within a inch or so…hopefully no problems because I ordered black

It’ll look like shit fairly quickly if you’re consistently going through a car wash with a black truck. If swirls and scratches don’t bother you it won’t be an issue. That would give me anxiety.

 

[Bshizzle]

It’ll look like shit fairly quickly if you’re consistently going through a car wash with a black truck.

Meh…I have had 2 other black vehicles that I ran through religiously without issues. Thanks for your concern

 

[RobR651]

Meh…I have had 2 other black vehicles that I ran through religiously without issues. Thanks for your concern

 

[JumpSquadAuto]

I hope its a touchless wash.

 

[OnTheReel]

Microfiber wipe after a poor wash job is asking for scratches unless you are fully wrapped.

Didn’t say to wipe it dry. Waterless wash solution is plenty of lubrication for a truck that just came out of a high pressure wash and has no large pieces of dirt on it. Kinda why they make the stuff…

Is it ideal, no. Just something anyone can do regardless of weather and equipment.

 

[Raven]

Didn’t say to wipe it dry. Waterless wash solution is plenty of lubrication for a truck that just came out of a high pressure wash and has no large pieces of dirt on it. Kinda why they make the stuff…

Is it ideal, no. Just something anyone can do regardless of weather and equipment.

Go for it. Wouldn't consider it on my truck.

 

[OnTheReel]

I’ve done it on the last several trucks and this one will be no different. The only other alternative is hand-washing in 25 degree February weather, and piss on that. It’s a daily driver truck not a show car.