Winter Washing - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Dem3ern · 12-12-2012, 05:22 PM

It's gotten to around that time again in Michigan where it's a bit too cold for me to want to wash my car every weekend by hand. Usually go to the local self wash and spray it down with soap and then water, does pretty well. I may hand wash the wheels since they don't take that long and are a pain if they get too dirty... Had my car detailed and waxed in the fall for some winter protection as well!

Still hoping for the random 50+ days to turn the water back on and hand wash!

What do you other guys do in the winter that live in the cold/snowy states? Just curious if there's a better quick, easy and simple solution

E90_boostjunky · 12-12-2012, 05:34 PM

i usually try and not drive my car if its snowy out, and slushy. but what i did last winter was go to touchless automatic car wash with dryers, and always came out clean. this winter i dont plan on moving it out the garage if theres snow.

abhishriv · 12-12-2012, 05:55 PM

Automatic touchless carwashes every week

CJ421 · 12-12-2012, 06:08 PM

I use Optimum No Rinse in a warm bucket of water, another bucket with warm water for rinsing and go one panel at a time with a sheepskin mitt. Wash, wipe off with microfiber and continue. Start at the top of the car and make my way to the bottom. I may empty the buckets and get new water/rinse depending on how dirty the car is.

I do the wheels sparingly - every other wash perhaps. I use ONR for them too except with a dedicated wheel brush.

If I got a ton of salt on the car I'd probably find a touchless wash (mainly to get the undercarriage). I don't have a need to drive for my job so I simply don't when the weather is bad. The problem with touchless washes is they use pretty strong chemicals so it will strip off whatever protectant is on the paint (wax/sealant).

This method worked well for me last year. No swirls, etc.

VMRWheels · 12-12-2012, 07:42 PM

Be sure to use the 'two bucket' method when your car is especially salty/dirty. Takes more time but much better for your paint.

dmatre · 12-12-2012, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ421

I use Optimum No Rinse in a warm bucket of water, another bucket with warm water for rinsing and go one panel at a time with a sheepskin mitt. Wash, wipe off with microfiber and continue. Start at the top of the car and make my way to the bottom. I may empty the buckets and get new water/rinse depending on how dirty the car is.

I do the wheels sparingly - every other wash perhaps. I use ONR for them too except with a dedicated wheel brush.

If I got a ton of salt on the car I'd probably find a touchless wash (mainly to get the undercarriage). I don't have a need to drive for my job so I simply don't when the weather is bad. The problem with touchless washes is they use pretty strong chemicals so it will strip off whatever protectant is on the paint (wax/sealant).

This method worked well for me last year. No swirls, etc.

+1 for ONR. Incredible stuff.

YGazis109 · 12-12-2012, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

Be sure to use the 'two bucket' method when your car is especially salty/dirty. Takes more time but much better for your paint.

What is the two bucket wash?

sammk · 12-12-2012, 08:08 PM

It's funny you posted this today, I'm in SE Michigan as well (Novi - Farmington Hills belt) and today being a somwhat warm day (40+), I was hoping the weather would hold out so I can wash the car first thing this weekend.

Hopefully the E92 is sparkling and smiling come Saturday!!!

Kernel Kurtz · 12-12-2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dem3ern

Usually go to the local self wash and spray it down with soap and then water, does pretty well. I may hand wash the wheels since they don't take that long and are a pain if they get too dirty... Had my car detailed and waxed in the fall for some winter protection as well!

Ditto. I use a synthetic polymer in the fall (Klasse) so I know it will last through the winter. I use wax in the spring and summer when it can be done more often.

I wash mine in one of the local DIY wand wash places. Soap it, wipe it with a microfiber towel (never use a brush!), rinse, and dry with another MF towel. I try to go when the car wash does not have a line up so I have indoor drying time.

When it's cold out it stays clean for a long time. It's only when it gets up near freezing that the salt makes everything messy again.

thecadman99 · 12-12-2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmatre

+1 for ONR. Incredible stuff.

+2 for ONR
Two warm buckets- grit guard-
I score the regular wal-mart wash sponges into cubes like a lake country sponge
http://www.wolfgangcarcare.com/car-wash-sponge.html

I rarely wash my car any other way.

Add some Eagle 1 Wax-as-u-dry and it brings a tear to you eye.

Dem3ern · 12-12-2012, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

Be sure to use the 'two bucket' method when your car is especially salty/dirty. Takes more time but much better for your paint.

Ive been lazy in the winters but will it harm my paint if I only hand wash it like once every month or two? I realize with the self wash it wont be as clean but since its my DD I cant avoid it getting dirty anyway.

GChase · 12-12-2012, 11:20 PM

My dad had his garage built at a slight incline so I can wash my car inside of it, open the garage door a tad, so the water and soap will drain out, and it will be a cozy 50 degrees or so while it's below 32 outside. Soo no winter worries for me! She still gets her weekly wash

CWS335 · 12-13-2012, 02:26 PM

The wand wash place down the street has garage doors on each end of the bays. With the warm water it gets downright tropical in there (well, almost), even when it's below freezing out. Not perfect but OK for a winter wash.

upstatedoc · 12-13-2012, 02:37 PM

detail and wax late fall, then "laser wash" weekly through winter. I haven't seen a spot of rust on a vehicle of mine since the '94 Golf i had.

BMW_Belgier · 12-15-2012, 06:12 AM

Be sure to wash the undercarriage regulary in winter!!!

sammk · 12-16-2012, 10:04 AM

OP, today shall be the day! Mid-50s in the afternoon, the rain's cleared out, and everything is looking good give my two autos a nice winter bath..

Blubaron79 · 12-16-2012, 11:11 AM

I go to the wash bay when it is above 32F, and fill a bucket up and hand wash it in the bay. I still even use the 2 bucket method.

Then Take it home to the garage and give it a quick wax spray!

thecadman99 · 12-20-2012, 10:05 AM

bit of a revive here, but I thought I'd post how much I like using the 2 bucket method without actually using 2 buckets.
Go by lowes or home depot and pick up one of these, they are very convenient for rinseless washing.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_6262-1097-FG...7C1&facetInfo=

Turb0Surge · 12-20-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZhengHellaFlush

Grab a couple buckets of warm water and wash it. How i was my car in oregon Its about 35-40 degrees here

^Couldn't that crack your windshield?

Turb0Surge · 12-20-2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZhengHellaFlush

nope. its warm water not hot boiling water.

Idk I did that once and it cracked my windshield. I will never poor water on my car in super cold weather again.

12-12-2012, 05:22 PM	#1
Dem3ern Herro! Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 52 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Coupe [5.00]	Winter Washing It's gotten to around that time again in Michigan where it's a bit too cold for me to want to wash my car every weekend by hand. Usually go to the local self wash and spray it down with soap and then water, does pretty well. I may hand wash the wheels since they don't take that long and are a pain if they get too dirty... Had my car detailed and waxed in the fall for some winter protection as well! Still hoping for the random 50+ days to turn the water back on and hand wash! What do you other guys do in the winter that live in the cold/snowy states? Just curious if there's a better quick, easy and simple solution __________________ 2008 E92 335i \| Fully Loaded \| 6MT \| Monaco Blue \| Cream Beige \| Titanium Shadow Trim
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12-12-2012, 06:08 PM	#4
CJ421 Colonel Drives: 2011 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 2,906 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [4.63]	I use Optimum No Rinse in a warm bucket of water, another bucket with warm water for rinsing and go one panel at a time with a sheepskin mitt. Wash, wipe off with microfiber and continue. Start at the top of the car and make my way to the bottom. I may empty the buckets and get new water/rinse depending on how dirty the car is. I do the wheels sparingly - every other wash perhaps. I use ONR for them too except with a dedicated wheel brush. If I got a ton of salt on the car I'd probably find a touchless wash (mainly to get the undercarriage). I don't have a need to drive for my job so I simply don't when the weather is bad. The problem with touchless washes is they use pretty strong chemicals so it will strip off whatever protectant is on the paint (wax/sealant). This method worked well for me last year. No swirls, etc. __________________ 2011 BMW 335i - 6MT, M Sport, Le Mans blue, Logic7

12-12-2012, 07:42 PM	#5
VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 9,718 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 5 Series [3.30]	Be sure to use the 'two bucket' method when your car is especially salty/dirty. Takes more time but much better for your paint. __________________ NEW WHEEL MODEL: V721 \| LIVE INVENTORY: V705 V703 V710 \| V710 PICTURE THREAD p. 714-442-7916 extension 103 \| e. kevin.a@velocitymotoring.com \| f. facebook.com/vmrwheels f. flickr.com/vmrwheels

12-12-2012, 08:08 PM	#8
sammk Private First Class Drives: 2008 328i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 173 iTrader: (1)	It's funny you posted this today, I'm in SE Michigan as well (Novi - Farmington Hills belt) and today being a somwhat warm day (40+), I was hoping the weather would hold out so I can wash the car first thing this weekend. Hopefully the E92 is sparkling and smiling come Saturday!!! __________________

12-13-2012, 02:37 PM	#14
upstatedoc Drone Expert Drives: '09 BMW 328ix Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Posts: 811 iTrader: (1)	detail and wax late fall, then "laser wash" weekly through winter. I haven't seen a spot of rust on a vehicle of mine since the '94 Golf i had. __________________ Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/ Countermeasure enthusiast.

12-12-2012, 05:34 PM	#2
E90_boostjunky Major Drives: BMW 335I E90 SGM Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: USA, IL Posts: 1,244 iTrader: (1)	i usually try and not drive my car if its snowy out, and slushy. but what i did last winter was go to touchless automatic car wash with dryers, and always came out clean. this winter i dont plan on moving it out the garage if theres snow.

12-12-2012, 05:55 PM	#3
abhishriv Major Drives: 2007 335i Coupe (Space grey) Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,095 iTrader: (0)	Automatic touchless carwashes every week

12-12-2012, 11:20 PM	#12
GChase Captain Drives: 2009 E90 328i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 691 iTrader: (0)	My dad had his garage built at a slight incline so I can wash my car inside of it, open the garage door a tad, so the water and soap will drain out, and it will be a cozy 50 degrees or so while it's below 32 outside. Soo no winter worries for me! She still gets her weekly wash

12-13-2012, 02:26 PM	#13
CWS335 First Lieutenant Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Burbs, USA Posts: 356 iTrader: (0)	The wand wash place down the street has garage doors on each end of the bays. With the warm water it gets downright tropical in there (well, almost), even when it's below freezing out. Not perfect but OK for a winter wash.

12-15-2012, 06:12 AM	#15
BMW_Belgier Major Drives: E92 335xi n55 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 1,353 iTrader: (0)	Be sure to wash the undercarriage regulary in winter!!! __________________ BEFORE: 130i N52 (2006-2011) NOW: 335xi N55 (2011- )

12-16-2012, 10:04 AM	#16
sammk Private First Class Drives: 2008 328i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 173 iTrader: (1)	OP, today shall be the day! Mid-50s in the afternoon, the rain's cleared out, and everything is looking good give my two autos a nice winter bath.. __________________

12-16-2012, 11:11 AM	#17
Blubaron79 Major Drives: '09 335 XDrive Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,362 iTrader: (0)	I go to the wash bay when it is above 32F, and fill a bucket up and hand wash it in the bay. I still even use the 2 bucket method. Then Take it home to the garage and give it a quick wax spray! __________________ '09 E92: Space Grey, Black Leather, Alum. Trim, XDrive, Premium, Sport, Nav, Sirius, Logic 7, CA, 18'', iPod, Cold, PPK.

12-20-2012, 10:05 AM	#18
thecadman99 Second Lieutenant Drives: e90 330i 6mt spt bk/bk Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 289 iTrader: (0)	bit of a revive here, but I thought I'd post how much I like using the 2 bucket method without actually using 2 buckets. Go by lowes or home depot and pick up one of these, they are very convenient for rinseless washing. http://www.lowes.com/pd_6262-1097-FG...7C1&facetInfo= __________________ 06 330i 6mt Spt- Eibach Springs, BMW Perf Susp, Supersprint Exhaust, BSW Audio (all 13 OEM logic 7 speakers available!) 94 325i 5mt 4d- M3 springs/susp, Z3 wheels, Chipped, Intake, Exhaust= FUN!

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