It's cold in Michigan, and I was just wondering what everyone does to keep their SS clean with all the salt on the roads. I heard Optimum No Rinse is a great product for winter washing (A bucket of warm water and two towels gets the job done). I have only taken my black SS through an automatic car wash three times and ended up with bad results and lots of clear coat scratches that took a lot of time to get out. The third and final time through the automatic car wash was last night. I can't stand to have my new car scratched up like that. Especially when its too cold to get the spray detailer out and the scratch remover to correct the new issues.

 

You need nothing more than a good car soap, warm water, microfiber wash mitt, microfiber towels and a good hose.

Micofiber is your best friend and lots of rinsing.

Add to this a good coat of carnuba wax and follow the wash with a good detailed wit dry microfiber towels.

You just need to remember to rise, rinse and rinse. All these new gimik thing that save time usally do save time at the expense of quality of the was. Nothing with a black car comes without some work.

 

I pull it through a wash once a week in the winter

 

optimum no rinse is the way to go for winter washing. just use the 2 bucket method.

 

I agree, but I use Poorboys Spray and Wipe with the two bucket method. Sometimes I will go through the touchless car wash when I have a ton of salt on the vehicle.

 

Good to hear other people are finding that ONR works well. I just ordered some and can't wait to try it. Once the weather warms up again the weekly hand washing and waxing will begin.

 

I can't keep my hoses connected outside in the winter as they will freeze and burst.

The local auto carwash does not seem to scratch my SS.

 

I also use a detailers bucket with grit guard. It is a seperator that keeps the dirt way from the wash mitt.

 

I'm sure the car wash is not as harsh on certain colors (at least you don't see the blemishes), but it usually wreaks havoc on black cars since they show every thing.

 

After a trip from New Jersey to Utica and Fort Drum, NY, I broke down and went to our local car wash today. My black SS looked like a powdered doughnut. I couldn't stand it anymore. It's above freezing today for the first time in many days.

Scratches? Swirl marks?

I'll deal with them in the spring.

For the moment, my HHR is clean and shiny, and ready for a fresh coating of salt and gunk.

C'mon Spring!!!