When I wash my vehicle in the winter at the hand spray wash as soon as I'm done, I immediately dry the door jambs with a towels so the don't freeze shut....and I don't worry about anything else freezing.

If it's not super cold and all summer long....I bring my backpack blower with me. Then, in the parking lot, I blow all the excess water off the truck...works pretty darn good!

 

I use the car wash in Commack {by rt454}-no brushes they dry it for you- don't know about the one over in St.James.

 

HACKA just left commack car wash... I most likely won't be using it to much. I prefer to wash myself as no one else is more picky about there own truck then you...

 

I have one of the best car washes ever in my area. No brushes. it looks like soft clothes on the spinning poles. Full drive through, then they dry every single inch of the vehicle, clean inside all door jambs, wipe down complete inside, vacuum, clean all glass inside and out, and shine up the tires with their own special protectant. $20.00.

While I could do it myself, WHY? I can get such a great job for so little. In the summer I still go there now and again. Too bad its 25 miles away!

 

I go to a hand wash place that costs 16 bucks for two guys to use 3 different wool mitts and a 2 1/2 inch hose with a ball valve to rinse...its the fattest stream of water I've ever seen and then 4 guys hand dry and for 2 bucks more...armor all on the wheels...I bring the wifes Suburban in there too and get it vacuumed out and armoralled inside and out for 23 bucks I tip the guys 5 bucks and have a nice clean car .....of course if I wash the car or the truck, it rains w/in 24 hours. just my luck..

Dave

 

There are a few places that do hand car washes around here.like 25 bucks maybe more they want 100 to wash and wax mine.

 

I will do mine in the driveway if it is 25+ and sunny. Just use hot water in the bucket and of course have to keep the hose in the garage. Do I spend as much time as I do in the summer, hell no, but it looks good when done.

In between washes I just use the high pressure soap and water at the do it yourself place to keep it free of salt.

I am able to keep it in my garage though, so freezing is not an issue, nor is drying after washing in the drive.

 

IN the winter take a rag and wet it with anti freeze, and wipe your door seals! take a syringe and squirt some into your lock cylinders to prevent freezing

 

OK, my 2 cents,

I am almost 60 and very **** about a clean vehicle. As soon as I am finished with hunting, off roading, driving in snow/rain I want to clean off the truck.

Totally agree with:

1 Start with a real good professional wax pre winter. Not too expensive when you get good coverage.

2 Minimum, rinse off the undercarraige, wheel wells, engine compartment at a self wash. Even just rinsing the vehicle off from the heavy residue is better than letting it stay on the finish.

3 I always put heater on max temp and fan before, during, and after the wash. It helps dry out the moisture even with doors closed, trick, open the doors a click like the man said above when your truck is running.

4 There are real good hand wash places that stay open all winter, just look around, a bit more money, but if you want a truck to last it is worth it.

My 2 vehicles are a 1963 Beetle, and my new 2009 Ram1500. I hope my Ram lasts as long as my Beetle.

Happy Holidays All,

Richie

 

I am going to try that antifreeze trick. The problem I have going to the hand car washes is that I am not sure if they drop there rags or mitts on the floor. I am very **** with using a clean mitt. A little pebble in a mitt can do a lot of damage!!! IMHO...
I went to one yesterday and it came out okay. I just need a day over 30 to get a good wash!!!