washing in freezing temps

is it safe to go through an automatic car wash in freezing temps? will it damage the paint/metal?

I'm in the great white north, the weather is cold, my car is full of salt and i want to wash it. Are there any alternatives to other than ONR.

 

It's not going to damage the paint but you might have an ice cube when you are done.

 

i would never suggest going through a car wash. it is best to wash by hand but if you have no means to do so the touch less car washes are not bad and tend to harm your paint the least. remember that this is a last resort

 

To wash a surface requires- a detergent and agitation.

The way 'touchless' overcome the lack of agitation is by using harsh chemical detergents.

ONR is a much safer bet and kinder to your paint and LSP, which harsh chemicals will strip

 

go to self car wash and just rince the car with presure gun, this should get most of the salt off. wait till weather gets warmer, if you did good prep car should be pretty clean after power wash

 

Yep, you can do this, it will get some of the crap off your car. Your car is still definitely going to be dirty, but now you can go home and wash it with ONR more effectively.

 

I follow that procedure most of the time during the winter months.

 

Great procedure. Resist the temptation to use the brush at the carwash at all costs - it will scratch the heck out of your car. Power wash only. Take some wheel cleaner like P21S with you and spray, let sit, wash. Take your own wheel brush for even better results.

 

pressure washer/foam lance is a must! Foam it up, let it dwell, rinse it off...then pull it in a garage, and proceed with ONR.

 

Has anyone done an ONR wash while the temps are freezing or below?
Curious to know if the ONR solution will freeze as it's applied.

I know I tried using PB's S&W when it was a bit too frigid and it started turning to fine frost crystals as I was wiping it off.

 

yup, ONR solution will freeze on cold paint. saw it myself.

 

Use hot water with ONR and wipe it off quick. Problem solved.

 

yep ive done this. all the water froze on my paint. thankfully i have a shop so i just pulled it in and it all melted down. ONR is ur best bet. I used it inside my shop and there wasnt too much of a mess. Just pushed the water out after wards. think i filled the bucket with about 2-3 gallons of water and used very little. ONR is a great product

 

why not pull your car in a heated garage???

 

Garage with a space heater works for me.

If you don't have a garage, find a friend in a condo/office with underground parking and water.

 

I work at Verizon's world headquarters here in NJ and all of our parking is in a covered deck, but this doesn't affect the freezing temps. I could bring my sealed bucket, gallon jugs of distilled H2O, wash mitt, MFs and ONR but I'd still end up with an ONR popsicle for a car in the end.

 

you need a heated garage, that's for sure...