[greenlite09]

Hey guys,

I have a black e92 335i with the msport packge that is feeling miserable because of the snaow/rain/salt. This is my first winter with this car and was wondering what you guys recommend for keeping your cars clean in the cold months?


I was thinking of running through a touch free wash and following up with ONR in my garage. I would appreciate any advice.

[6ixSpd]

The best solution would have been to do a paint correction with multiple coats of sealant or OptiCoat/CQuartz, and then weekly wash through a touchless car wash.

I've been doing that for many years and it works wonders. The sealants prevents anything from seriously sticking to the paint that a touchless wash gets rid of 99% of the salt and grime.

[greenlite09]

Thanks for the advice, I recently picked up a PC Polisher. I am new to polishing so I am gonna test a section on my wifes car too see how well I can correct and try to layer up the OptiCoat, I heard layering over a few days is the good method.


Its killing me to not be able to snow foam/rinse the car up and give it a two bucket wash.

[feuer]

I don't know where you live but I go to We Wash on Lawrence often in winter. For $10 just outside wash is OK. They blow it with compressed air so it doesn't freezes. When weather is nice I wash the car myself.

[greenlite09]

Thanks for the referral feuer, they seem legit. Looks like they pay attention to detail even for washes.

I am in the Northwest Suburbs. I used to go to Wise Wash in Schaumburg until I moved looking to find a good touchless or reputable handwash carwash in my new neighborhood.

[mojobmw_e90]

Good luck finding anything hand wash in the Northwest suburbs. It truly sucks!

[greenlite09]

If you're in the Schaumburg area I highly recommend this place.

Wise Wash Hand Car Wash
1811 West Wise Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
+18473520965

I personally like washing the car myself, but the winter months make it challenging for me. Black cars are such a pain in the winter

[mojobmw_e90]

That's a good drive for me. Rather go down to morton Grove and visit nature's car wash. Been going there since 2009 and never had complaints or issues

[feuer]

Originally Posted by mojobmw_e90

That's a good drive for me. Rather go down to morton Grove and visit nature's car wash. Been going there since 2009 and never had complaints or issues

H20 and Casto in Des Plaines are closer to you. I meet customers when I go to Magic Auto. Check them out.

[gulshan]

Instead of touchless I do the soft cloth car wash. Not all are good. I have found the jet brite and fuller's soft cloth very good and gentle on my car. Take the basic $3 to $5 and avoid all options like hot wax, blast etc. Tire/wheel shine scrub is the only extra worth it option. Towel wipe left overs from the air dry..

[mojobmw_e90]

My winter beater gets the 3 bucks fuller wash weekly

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by mojobmw_e90

That's a good drive for me. Rather go down to morton Grove and visit nature's car wash. Been going there since 2009 and never had complaints or issues

Nature's Hand is a good one, I highly recommend. If you don't want the hassle of a hand wash, either splash it in a touchless wash, or just let it get dirty. Since my car is black, I let it get filthy from the Chicago winter snow/salt/grime, and give it a good wash maybe twice a month

[sshah261]

I own a car wash in Schaumburg, Golf Rose Car wash on golf and roselle. A quick $5 wash, can't beat that! And all of our washes include under carriage as well.

[Rival]

i live in palatine and work in schaumburg, if you really want a TRUE hand wash, Lustr with Ivan is tough to beat. Im sure there are other places around, but he's honest, good with paints/clears and you just schedule when you want to come in.

I use to work there on weekends, that way prolly 5yrs ago, but havent found anywhere better.


Personally, when i hits 38f/40f outside i just goto the spray wash (touchless) and get all the crap off my car, than come home and use my heater in the garage with rinse less wash.

You wash the car panel by panel, or divide it into 1/4th's. Wash then dry right away. The whole car needs to be pretty clean to do this, you need to run threw the spray wash for $2.75 once or twice before coming home and washing in your garage.


but then i leave the heat on, (propane heater) & let the door jams/trunk dry a bit so before i go over the whole car with quick detailer and spray wax. its pretty much dry.

Make sure to really get the wheel/tires well at the spray wash.

[gary88]

When I drove my car in the winter I would ONR weekly and it worked really well. Instead of going through a touchless was first just mix a cap of ONR into a spray bottle full of warm water and pretreat everything before you start washing. Also use like 7 different sponges.