I was wondering, how do you clean under the car if you don't go to an automated car wash? cos it snowed here a week ago and they salted the streets to take care of the ice/snow, and im pretty sure Ive got some salt under the car, which might (I think) lead to rust. And i also do not want to go to an automated carwash because it might damage the paint job. any suggestions will be very much appreciated...

 

You can go through a touchless wash without too much concern. Most of them spray water under the car as well when you roll in.

Or go to a coin operated jetspray wash where you do it yourself. You can reach under neath with the wand and blast the salt away.

Bob

 

Thanks a lot !!! I'll do that tomorrow then!
ho-ho-ho!!!

 

No problem. We have to deal with about 5 months of snowy & salty streets up here every year. This is how i've done it without too much trouble for several years.

The waterjets will blow the salt right out of there.

Bob

 

Once again SilverBelle04 is a very wise man! That's what I do. In fact the weather here is going to be very warm and I am washing my car by hand on New Years Day!

 

hehe I hear ya there! I'll be doing the same on Saturday. I only go through a carwas if I REALLY have too and it's too cold outside. 95% of the time though, I wash it myself

 

I just spent about 35 minutes melting ice out of my rear wheel wells. I can't believe how much ice I collect up under there. Its insane. My rear suspension can't even work. I get about 1" of travel till the wheel starts to grind the ice in there. I think its my snow tires flinging snow more than the all seasons do. I don't know if other 04's in snowy climates have the same issues.

On the up side at least I have access to a heated garage with a hose fed right off an industrial hot water tank! It melts that ice off there way faster than the pressure washers at the coin op places.

CM.

 

I have the same problem after it snows. The tires hit the snow when io go over small bumps.

Bob

 

Smoken'04,

Make sure it's touchless! You don't want swirls on that car!

 

Snow....what's snow????

 

Anyone in the Queens, NY area know where I can find a touchless car wash. I don't have access to a water hose so I'll have to take my car to a car wash to keep her looking nice. If I don't find a "safe" car wash I'll have to leave her dirty for longer periods.

 

Most of the car washes in my area of the woods are touchless. I have not used any wash but touchless for at least ten years.

But there is a tradeoff. As the touchless washes do not actually touch the car surface, a film gradually builds up that can only be removed by 'touching' the car via a good hand wash.

Also, the 'hot wax' put on by the touchless washes goes on very well, but it also goes onto the windshield and all other windows. I would suggest those with wax already on their Maxima opt for the basic touchless wash without the 'hot wax'.

But the touchless wash is great for getting the worst grime off when the weather is such that driveway washing is impractical.

 

Lightonthehill - you're right about the touchless washes leaving a film, but driveway washing is not only impractical but impossible in our winter weather up here where the temp is snowy and far below freezing on most days from December to February/March.

I don't worry about that too much during these months. During the warmer months my car never sees a car wash and gets washed by hand almost ever second day.

Bob

 

I keep it in the garage.

 

Silverbelle

I admire your dedication; washing the car every other day! Wish I had the time. Touchless is the way I go, with a detail every three months.

 

Just a note from a guy who has beena around the carwash business... beware of touchless...it all dpends on themix of chemicals the car wash uses.... if the setup is not maintained right you paint can get dull really quick...If you want a good car wash in queens go to HITEK just look it up you will get a=good wash there but it isnt touchless.

 

I agree with you, I have a HITEK by me, and they're pretty good; plus they have $3.95 coupons, which allows me to get an in and out car wash for $4.00.

Joe B.

 

It's that stuff that we get in our Cherry 'Snow' Cones.... Actually Dallas got a lil snow this year. I am always scared that when the snow starts to melt that it will cling to the paint and scratch the car as it is going down...

 

Every second day??? Do you work? I can barely get myself washed every second day much less my car. Go you for having the time.

 

Actually i do work in a pretty demanding job. But i like to come home and take a 1/2 hour to wash my car. I find it very therapeutic and relaxing after a hard day at work.

Bob

 

Now thats what Im talking about...sounds like me.

 

touchless car wash.... does it touch/scratch the rim on the tires? want to wash my car but its too cold and it rains / snows almost every second day!

P.S. not complaining abt. the weather!! (will not anymore!)

 

tubells - touchless car washes do not actually touch the wheels or tires. As a result, they sometimes do not do a very good job in that area.

With some touchless washes, you put the car in neutral, and the carwash pulls your car thru. This can be by 'wheelcupping' the tires, or by a chain drive that has a vertical component that nudges against the undercarriage. With these types, you have no control over the speed, etc.

On other touchless washes, you drive into the washer until a big red sign lights up and says 'STOP'. On this type, drive in slowly, especially as each wheel is passing the strong rotating spray from the lower side that washes the wheels and tires.

Again, the touchless washes are not perfect. They simply get the worst grime off without scratching or denting the car. Some folks feel the fancy sprays and chemicals used (the one I patronize uses four different colors of soap) can be detrimental to the car's paint if mixed incorrectly. If you already have a coat of wax on the car, I would feel reasonably safe about the chemicals.

Also, if you already have wax on the car, you may wish to skip the 'hot wax' option at the carwash. Unless you like wax on your windshield . . .

 

Mine gets the California duster every night and wheels detailed front and back - can't sleep unless the cars is spotless - and do the wife's just for good measure...I agree with SilverBelle - it's relaxing after a long day, and there is definitely satisfaction knowing that your car is clean all the time! Besides, it runs better when it's shiney!

 

I noticed that it does run better when it's all clean and shiney. Am I going looney?