[drvai]

I wonder if rinsing the car to get rid of the salt with a pressure washer (coin operated) but don't do a full wash or dry the car off.

Can that affect the paint? Im afraid of water spots etching the paint. My car is opti-coated.

[Delta0311]

No it's water. You might get water stains but that will come off when you do a full wash. I was going to say don't even try to do it if its below 0 outside because you're car will be on giant icicle by the time you roll out but you're in FL so it's probably warm enough for a wash.

[drvai]

Moved to Chicago!
Temperature is in the 30s (F)

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by drvai

Moved to Chicago!
Temperature is in the 30s (F)

As long as it's past freezing you will be g2g. Otherwise you will get an icicle for a car if it's not dried right away.

[Detailed Image]

You can definitely get waterspots on the car, so I would recommend you pressure wash it and then blow dry it somehow. Another option is to run it through a touchless automatic and use the blowers they have for drying, but even then you will have some water left over. I've lived in Chicago for the past 20 years and this has always been an issue. Luckily now I just wash my car at my shop and don't have to worry about these issues, but they come up for many of our clients here. OptiCoat will help, but you definitely don't want to just rinse it and drive away, risking water spots.

Ivan @ DI

[drvai]

Ok.. so went to the touchless carwash. No hand wash for my car yet. Especially since with the snow melting, the streets are messy.

[Tsujen]

I'm outside of chicago and go to coin operated when it gets above 30 just to get all the salt off (pressure wash only, no brush), than hand dry the whole car afterwards with a shammy, sure it's a little cold but better than having water spots and "streaks" after you just washed it.

[drvai]

Originally Posted by Tsujen

I'm outside of chicago and go to coin operated when it gets above 30 just to get all the salt off (pressure wash only, no brush), than hand dry the whole car afterwards with a shammy, sure it's a little cold but better than having water spots and "streaks" after you just washed it.

You don't hand wash?

Im afraid the pressure wash doesnt get rid of all the dirt and drying the car will put scratches.

[MiniXP]

In the winter I usually use one of the touchless car washes with the blowers at the end.

After that I usually hop on the high way for a few minutes and that gets most of the water off. Just make sure you tap your brakes to dry them first or you may end up with a coating of ice on the rotors when you try to stop.

If it is going to go below freezing again soon you would probably want to just dry the door jams by hand so the doors don't freeze shut.

[Delta0311]

I'm lucky.. There is a hand wash car wash about 10min from my house. The guys pull the car right into a makeshift garage, give it a full wash, and then hand dry the car. I hate using any automatic car washes.. Most of them suck and none of them can ever get my rims cleaned right from the salt. The hand wash guys I take it too do it right every time. There are always some high end cars pulling in there so you know shit is done right.

[vapore0n]

Ive been taking my car to the touchless wash this winter. Lack of heated garage + lots of snow made me go to this extreme. Doesnt come out perfect, but its much cleaner. Undercarriage spray is included in the wash, so its a plus.

Yesterday it was 16F when I took it in. Any remaining water froze about a min after I left the bay.

[Dannyboy]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

I'm lucky.. There is a hand wash car wash about 10min from my house. The guys pull the car right into a makeshift garage, give it a full wash, and then hand dry the car. I hate using any automatic car washes.. Most of them suck and none of them can ever get my rims cleaned right from the salt. The hand wash guys I take it too do it right every time. There are always some high end cars pulling in there so you know shit is done right.

Hey I'm in NJ too. Which place did you take it to?

[Detailed Image]

Originally Posted by drvai

You don't hand wash?

Im afraid the pressure wash doesnt get rid of all the dirt and drying the car will put scratches.

That's definitely a good way to put swirl marks in the paint and as mentioned above, I would recommend blow drying instead of hand drying with a towel. Much safer.

Ivan @ DI

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy

Hey I'm in NJ too. Which place did you take it to?

It was called Sel's down on 34 right between Old Bridge and Matawan. Place is still there but the owner changed. Still as good though.