Washing Car When It's >32F

It's better to wash a car when it's cold rather than hot so that the car won't leave any water spots or soap spots. Hell I've even washed my car when it was raining!! Just make sure you dry off the car once you're done washing it.

But on the very very cold days, I'd just give it a little bit more water all over just to make sure all the soapy feeling is gone. Or you could just use less soap.

Use warm water. Wash in the sun. Dry it off quickly.

washing in the sun is bad bad...your paint is hot or warm and if you rub a towel around it while drying or whatever you can very easily create swirls in your paint and sometimes visible scratches...so stay away from the sun but warm water is a good idea I read somewhere once...

Warm water in the sun on those really cold days. Work quickly to keep the soap from drying, but on a below freezing day the paint is cold enough for it not to be an issue.

Yes there will be but there will be less so the corrosion factor will be less. When ever a jet flys below 7,000 feet we have to give it a fresh water rinse so the salt wont corrode the jet. washing it in the winter to get rid of salt as often as possible is a very good idea to keep the car looking good and not roting away.

Yeah I only washed it quickly, actually it wasn't really washing, I quickly rinsed off the dirt/grime when it was raining and then pulled it into the garage and dried her off.

BTW, never ever ever wash in the hot sun. If you have to just make sure you constantly run water all over the car to keep it moist.

Originally posted by kurker@Dec 20 2005, 10:16 AM
Warm water in the sun on those really cold days. Work quickly to keep the soap from drying, but on a below freezing day the paint is cold enough for it not to be an issue.

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Exactly. The suns rays are very week in the winter and you will need whatever warmth you can get if its below 32.

In the areas of the country that have a winter climate we should be washing our cars more frequently now then we do in the summer. And don't forget the coat of wax before the winter, and if you can, sometime half way through.

Preach on brother, Preach ON!

<--- The Choir

I've washed a car below 32 degrees and the soap/ water was coming off in thin ice sheets. doesn't sound like such a good idea now, but that car really needed to be washed.