Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

[3Fitty]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

I've heard that those are not good for your car. But i don't know if there is any truth behind this. Maybe a show car i wouldnt' take to a touch-free wash, but a daily driver, i don't know what other options there are?! Especially when for 2/3 months you don't see a day above 30/40. D:!

Problem with touch free washes is that in order for them to "clean" your car, they have to use harsh chemicals in their "soap" to aid in "cleaning". Those chemicals are harsh enough to remove dirt, road tar, sling etc... so they will probably STRIP any wax you have on your car, leaving it unprotected.

For those of us in harsh northern climates, sometimes there is no better option, but they certainly are not ideal. I tend not to use them and let my car sit dirty, unless I get one of those rare warmer days.

My other plan (this year) is that an "indoor self wash" place just opened near me. I just plan to break their "no bucket - no mit" rule and wash at their facility. If I can't do that, then Plan B will be to rinse the car at a self wash to get of the really bad stuff and then to do an ONR wash inside my garage.

[KeithIndy]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

then Plan B will be to rinse the car at a self wash to get of the really bad stuff and then to do an ONR wash inside my garage.

That's exactly what I do all winter here in Indiana.

[Brad777]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

I prefer to self wash regardless of the season. However, it is less frequent in the winter since our Utah Winter will make a mess of it again within a couple days.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

I've never used ONR. Is it easy, and how safe for black paint if i just pressure rinse the salt from winter off?

[3Fitty]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

I've never used ONR. Is it easy, and how safe for black paint if i just pressure rinse the salt from winter off?

First time I tried it, I didn't like it very much, but it has since grown on me (especially as a clay lube).

IMHO, ONR is NO replacement for a good traditional two bucket wash with a hose or pressure washer, but it is a *good* alternative for those under water restrictions or us stuck in the winter.

To answer your question specifically, I would say you really have to make sure to really rinse the car well (but I would say the same even if doing a tradtional wash with salt on the car).

Many still use two buckets with Grit Guards when washing with ONR. ONR claims that it has more lubricity than traditional car soap and the polymers in the soap encapsulate the dirt, get onto your wash mit and then fall to the bottom of your rinse bucket when rinsing out your mit.

I would make sure that you rinse your mit after each and every panel. Provided you have taken off the heaviest of gunk, ONR should be okay for your winter wash (even with a black car).

[paul.segovich]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

Thank you. That is very helpful! I will certainly remember this!

First time I tried it, I didn't like it very much, but it has since grown on me (especially as a clay lube).

IMHO, ONR is NO replacement for a good traditional two bucket wash with a hose or pressure washer, but it is a *good* alternative for those under water restrictions or us stuck in the winter.

To answer your question specifically, I would say you really have to make sure to really rinse the car well (but I would say the same even if doing a tradtional wash with salt on the car).

Many still use two buckets with Grit Guards when washing with ONR. ONR claims that it has more lubricity than traditional car soap and the polymers in the soap encapsulate the dirt, get onto your wash mit and then fall to the bottom of your rinse bucket when rinsing out your mit.

I would make sure that you rinse your mit after each and every panel. Provided you have taken off the heaviest of gunk, ONR should be okay for your winter wash (even with a black car).

[Justin A]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

Problem with touch free washes is that in order for them to "clean" your car, they have to use harsh chemicals in their "soap" to aid in "cleaning". Those chemicals are harsh enough to remove dirt, road tar, sling etc... so they will probably STRIP any wax you have on your car, leaving it unprotected.

Hence my warning (that apparently didn't make it through the stupid new edit-rule thing):

Make sure you get the wash package that includes a "wax", or plan on a follow up at home in the garage to seal the paint after the detergents rip any protection off of the car.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

Hence my warning (that apparently didn't make it through the stupid new edit-rule thing):

Make sure you get the wash package that includes a "wax", or plan on a follow up at home in the garage to seal the paint after the detergents rip any protection off of the car.

Sounds like i'll just end up using the quarter pressure washers and doing a quick job myself.

[3Fitty]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

Hence my warning (that apparently didn't make it through the stupid new edit-rule thing):

Make sure you get the wash package that includes a "wax", or plan on a follow up at home in the garage to seal the paint after the detergents rip any protection off of the car.

I don't know if the wax plans offered at the touchless wash provide any sort of protection whatsoever. Maybe they do, but I've never seen it.

I'd rather follow your second suggestiona and put a coat of wax on at home.

[KeithIndy]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

When I rinse the car prior to an ONR wash, I only go to the self serves and only use the "rinse" setting, no harsh chemicals and it still knocks the big crud off.
If you have a good coat of wax on the car it's surprising how clean it gets just blasting it off.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Winter in Ohio snow, ice, salt

When I rinse the car prior to an ONR wash, I only go to the self serves and only use the "rinse" setting, no harsh chemicals and it still knocks the big crud off.
If you have a good coat of wax on the car it's surprising how clean it gets just blasting it off.

So a real good detail right before winter and then a weekly pressure wash and ONR finish, then maybe once or twice on warmer days a better wash, and i should be set for the 5 months of bad weather.