Washing in the winter

spudw · 10-26-2009, 02:51 PM

Any advice on trying to keep the 1er reasonably clean through the winter?

I have an insulated garage, so temps stay above zero for most of the winter, BUT no floor drain, so any water I spray on the car freezes on the driveway.

Not comfortable with automatic car washes. Petro Canada is out of the question, because they all use mops and brushes. Esso is touchless, so I'm more inclined, but the soaps are still pretty harsh.

Then there are those spray bays...

Not sure. Just want to be able to safely wash off the salt and grime every couple of weeks, weather permitting.

warmtoes · 10-26-2009, 03:56 PM

I have a really good hand car wash near me that I bring it to during the winter.

nikku · 10-26-2009, 08:08 PM

You can use Optimum No Rinse in the winter. ONR is a rinseless system. Works perfect for condo dwellers and garage detailing. It works very well.

I use two buckets as I usually would. One bucket has clean water while the other has water and ONR. Work one panel at a time. I like using two wash mitts and sometimes sponges. So two mitts/sponge (sponge holds more liquid and some prefer this) start off in the ONR solution. Without using almost zero pressure wipe down a panel until you notice the mitt/sponge is dirty then flip the mitt, if both sides are dirty switch your mitt with the clean mitt and dump the dirty mitt in the clean water bucket to rinse out the dirt. Once the panel has been cleaned with the mitts wipe down the area with two microfibers. Do a once over with the first MF then do a second to make sure the panel is dry. I prefer using MF's over waffle weaves to dry the paint however I have used waffle weaves to dry the paint after ONR. Basically once you're done with the panel you repeat for the other panels of the vehicle.

*NOTE: For really soiled panels spray ONR/water solution before using the mitt/sponge.

ONR can also be applied to your wheels with the same application just do not use tools that you use on wheels on your body panels.

If you have more questions ask away and have fun !

touareg · 10-26-2009, 11:00 PM

I've read about ONR and some similar products...didn't think I'd have use for that stuff but sounds like a good idea for the winter. I've been using touchless car washes in past winters...I know the water is recycled but I figured it's still better than not washing the gunk off of what's already on the car.

supraking · 10-27-2009, 12:08 AM

Gonna be taking it to a hand wash (spray bay) for $9 exterior, $13 ext/int. They do an above-average job and nobody's hand ever touches my paint. I'm not worried about the spray guns, they're not going to strip anything away..

lamal3 · 10-28-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmtoes

I have a really good hand car wash near me that I bring it to during the winter.

I was wondering where that is located.

10-26-2009, 02:51 PM	#1
spudw Major 70 Rep 1,305 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Washing in the winter Any advice on trying to keep the 1er reasonably clean through the winter? I have an insulated garage, so temps stay above zero for most of the winter, BUT no floor drain, so any water I spray on the car freezes on the driveway. Not comfortable with automatic car washes. Petro Canada is out of the question, because they all use mops and brushes. Esso is touchless, so I'm more inclined, but the soaps are still pretty harsh. Then there are those spray bays... Not sure. Just want to be able to safely wash off the salt and grime every couple of weeks, weather permitting. __________________ 2009 BMW 128i ~ Jet Black ~ Sport Package ~ Sunroof ~ USB Integration ~ Delivered on October 14, 2009
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10-26-2009, 03:56 PM	#2
warmtoes Lieutenant Colonel 31 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: EBII 435i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (1)	I have a really good hand car wash near me that I bring it to during the winter. __________________ *2014 EBII 435i xDrive M-sport* Gone: 2011 TiAg F25 X3 xDrive35i M-sport Gone: 2008 TiAg w/Coral Red E88 135i Cab M-sport
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10-26-2009, 08:08 PM	#3
nikku Detailing Nerd 13 Rep 311 Posts Drives: Infiniti G35 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	You can use Optimum No Rinse in the winter. ONR is a rinseless system. Works perfect for condo dwellers and garage detailing. It works very well. I use two buckets as I usually would. One bucket has clean water while the other has water and ONR. Work one panel at a time. I like using two wash mitts and sometimes sponges. So two mitts/sponge (sponge holds more liquid and some prefer this) start off in the ONR solution. Without using almost zero pressure wipe down a panel until you notice the mitt/sponge is dirty then flip the mitt, if both sides are dirty switch your mitt with the clean mitt and dump the dirty mitt in the clean water bucket to rinse out the dirt. Once the panel has been cleaned with the mitts wipe down the area with two microfibers. Do a once over with the first MF then do a second to make sure the panel is dry. I prefer using MF's over waffle weaves to dry the paint however I have used waffle weaves to dry the paint after ONR. Basically once you're done with the panel you repeat for the other panels of the vehicle. *NOTE: For really soiled panels spray ONR/water solution before using the mitt/sponge. ONR can also be applied to your wheels with the same application just do not use tools that you use on wheels on your body panels. If you have more questions ask away and have fun !
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10-26-2009, 11:00 PM	#4
touareg Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	I've read about ONR and some similar products...didn't think I'd have use for that stuff but sounds like a good idea for the winter. I've been using touchless car washes in past winters...I know the water is recycled but I figured it's still better than not washing the gunk off of what's already on the car. __________________ Currently: 2017 M2 MT LBB In a previous life: 2011 Z4 sDrive35i MT \| 2011 Mk6 GTI MT \| 2008 EX35 \| 2008 Cooper S MT \| 2009 135i MT \| 2002 A4 1.8T
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10-27-2009, 12:08 AM	#5
supraking Captain 49 Rep 759 Posts Drives: 128i Coupe 6MT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 128i Coupe [0.00]	Gonna be taking it to a hand wash (spray bay) for $9 exterior, $13 ext/int. They do an above-average job and nobody's hand ever touches my paint. I'm not worried about the spray guns, they're not going to strip anything away..
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