Washing and/or hosing down in the rain

[Jeff Smith]

I just came in from giving my truck a good hose down in the rain. I like doing this in the rain once in a while. My thinking is the rain has softened up some of the dirt and such so it should come off pretty easily.

Our water around here is very hard and leaves severe mineral deposits so by doing this prior to the rain ending the rain water helps to dillute the mineral content. Thus minimizing the risk of water spots. Doesn't do away with it, but does minimize it.

I have also taken to washing in the rain a little. I'll bring up the weather radar on the net and watch and try to guesstimate when the rain will end. I'll head out about 1/2 hour before the rain ends and start washing. If I get done prior to the rain ending I just take break, come back in the house and wait. When the rain stops and I am sure it is done, I'll head back out and pull off the hose nozzle for a final rinse.

Works very well for me. I even tend to give it a quick rinse soon after driving in the rain, thinking some of the underbody goop has softened up as well.

Was just wondering if any other folks are car crazy enough to do this? My neighbors get quite the kick out of it

[Murr1525]

Its maaaaaad I tell you!! MAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!

But hey, if it works for you

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by Murr1525
Its maaaaaad I tell you!! MAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!

But hey, if it works for you

Tell me about it. I am sitting here at the PC with my CAR CRAZY hat on and a rain coat.

[stealth]

I've been a participant in mother natures freebee wash program for quite sometime. My high point was actually washing my 2 units w/soap & having them rinsed w/the heavy downpour of rain then pulling them in the garage & using the leaf blower to dry them! We're not nuts, my neighbor for 20+yrs. owned a body shop & we would be both be out there doing the same thing. Now that's CAR CRAZEE!!!

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by stealth
I've been a participant in mother natures freebee wash program for quite sometime. My high point was actually washing my 2 units w/soap & having them rinsed w/the heavy downpour of rain then pulling them in the garage & using the leaf blower to dry them! We're not nuts, my neighbor for 20+yrs. owned a body shop & we would be both be out there doing the same thing. Now that's CAR CRAZEE!!!

Sounds about like how my neighbor and I are. You should see the looks the two of us get, out working in the rain. I think someday they're going to have us institutionalized!!

[Setec Astronomy]

I haven't done it for a long time, but I used to like doing a wash in the rain...no rinsing, no drying...

[gb387]

I have never washed in the rain, really not a bad idea...

I have hosed my truck down after a rain hoping to rinse the dirt off, looked great till it dried. I guess we have bad water or something, the water spots wer BAD! In my case a dirty truck looked beter and was easier to clean. Took a few good washings to get rid of them, I should have cleaned/polished/waxed.

[mirrorfinishman]

I've been doing this with boats for years.

Since all boats should be thoroughly cleaned and washed prior to polishing and waxing, it's a lot easier and the job goes lot more quickly when you figure that there is very little rinsing involved when it's done in the rain. Basically, all you have to do is rinse the boat one time at the end of the wash process.

When you're in the detailing business, washing a customer's boat in the rain also helps to keep me busy during those rainy days.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by Setec Astronomy
I haven't done it for a long time, but I used to like doing a wash in the rain...no rinsing, no drying...

No water spots to deal with?

My cars always have acid rain spots on them after the water dries......Although I never tried washing a car in the rain before.

[Love My Ride]

I've been itching to do this, but the thought of what my overly concerned neighbors would do kept me indoors.

Now that I see that there are others who share the same issues as I, out comes the rain gear!

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by mirrorfinishman
I've been doing this with boats for years.

Since all boats should be thoroughly cleaned and washed prior to polishing and waxing, it's a lot easier and the job goes lot more quickly when you figure that there is very little rinsing involved when it's done in the rain. Basically, all you have to do is rinse the boat one time at the end of the wash process.

When you're in the detailing business, washing a customer's boat in the rain also helps to keep me busy during those rainy days.

I am not in the business, just an enthusiast. But, by doing this I am making use of time that normally, I would not be able to get much done outside.

I have full rainsuits, elbow length rubber gloves and knee high rubber boots. Seldom need all of it. But I do were the raincoat pretty often.

[Mark2]

I guess your neighbours think you are pretty crazy when you're standing outside in the rain, with the rainsuit, gloves and boots washing your car I know becouse my neghbours think I'm crazy too
Feels much better to be crazy when you know you're not alone

[roushstage2]

I did a mild restoration on the SS paint of my 86 F150. A little while after I started claying, it began to rain. Some GC soap in the dispenser bottle and the rain made a great lubricant!