Wash / clay in the rain?

[ntaylor]

I've seen other posts about washing in the rain. I plan to wash/clay/clean/wax tomorrow and it will be pouring for the foreseeable future. I do have a garage, but obviously won't be turning a hose loose in it.

Should I:

1. Wash in the rain, rinse, drive into garage to clay?

2. Clay in the rain as well (I've never done it before, but from what I've read it is easier to use QD as lubricant than soapy water, so that's my plan)?

3. Give up and wait because the contaminants in the rain are going to screw it up no matter what?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wash / clay in the rain?

Originally posted by ntaylor
I've seen other posts about washing in the rain. I plan to wash/clay/clean/wax tomorrow and it will be pouring for the foreseeable future. I do have a garage, but obviously won't be turning a hose loose in it.

Should I:

1. Wash in the rain, rinse, drive into garage to clay?

2. Clay in the rain as well (I've never done it before, but from what I've read it is easier to use QD as lubricant than soapy water, so that's my plan)?

3. Give up and wait because the contaminants in the rain are going to screw it up no matter what?

Having lived in Oregon for most of my life, I have often times washed a car in the rain and as crazy as it seems, at least the car is wet and the dirt is softened and you don't have to worry about suds drying on the finish.

If you want to detail your car regardless of the rain, the yes, wash in the rain.

If you want to clay the car after washing, make sure you rinse the car well just like you would normally and then clay. It's hard to know just how much dirt and other contaminants will be in the rain, but if you use a fresh soap and wash water solution, (don't use the first solution as it will have dirt in it), it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Afterwards, wash and rinse again, or just rinse, which ever you prefer, then pull into the garage, dry her off and go for it.

I just washed our Pilot and while it was still wet after rinsing, I clayed the hood and then rinsed again. After drying I applied a coat of the new Gold Class Paste Wax.

Worked well for me.

Mike

[Boss_429]

As always, Mike gave you some fine info.

I'll add a little more.....

When you dry your vehicle, get yourself two good WW towels and some good QD. Mist a tiny amount of the QD on the "wet" paint. Take one WW towel and very lightly wipe/spread the product. Then, take the other WW towel and very "lightly" and "slowly" go over to area to dry it. Going slowly with the towel will give it time to absorb the water and QD.

Using the QD also has the added benefit of adding some lubrication and very light cleaning to the drying process.

[ntaylor]

Thanks guys! Wish me luck, this is my first time with several of these steps.

[Boss_429]

You'll be fine. Just take your time and pay attention to the "details"!