I live in MN, and once a week I wash my car at a local do-it-yourself- car wash because the car gets terribly dirty. However, the water is heated. Will the warm water aid the rusting process?

 

It could.

The absolute worst thing for rusting is water at +4C. It has the maximum volume and density at this temperature. Its technically called the "Triple Point". I mentioned the first two, I can't remember the last point....anyhoo...on to rust.

It is especially concerning for people with underground parking. The underground garage is not below freezing. It is usally a few degrees above.

When your car comes in from the streets full of snow and below freezing, it gradually rises in temperature. As the snow melts in your car and turns to water, it warms up through 4C. As the water heats up and gains volume it penetrates small cracks and gaps. Ensuring that the water (and more importantly salt) is carried throughout the vehicle.

Cars that are used daily and stored long term in underground parking garages tend to exhibit an increase the rust due to the properties of water and the environment they are stored in.

CM.

 

I wash my car at least once a week during the winter at home. However, I wash it in the garage (non-heated) and just use a few buckets of water (one with soapy water and 2-4 rinse buckets) along with some terry cloths. I wash one small section at a time (i.e. a door), and then get another cloth to dry it with. I use water that is warm to the touch, which helps keep the water in liquid form until I dry it. It also keeps my hands warmer.
Since the water doesn't sit on the car for more than 5 minutes, it doesn't cause any problems regarding rust or anything else. I recommend trying this process. If you have water on your car and it runs into every little space, and then freezes when you drive outside, you might see some significant problems with cracks.

 

On my last car I kept rusting out the door switch for the dome lights about once a year. I figured it was due to the fact that I washed my car at least once a week all year round.

 

How does everyone wash their car during the winter...anything special? I dont have a garage so I cant do what white95max does. I havent washed the car since I bought it a little over a month ago.

 

Spend a buck or two twice a week at a coin op place. Just blasting the crud off the car. Especially the wheel wells.

Maybe once a month I'll actually wash it down really well. There's not much point. By the time I drive it back home its coverd in salt and crud again.

 

Yeah in the winter i jus do the same, i spray it down at the local do it to it place jus to get rid of some of the salt.

I'm not sure if this is good but i just spray it off and drive off with it wet, maybe i should dry it a bit but if the car isn't completly clean then i might be scratching the car right?

 

Turth be told, I am not one who will wash the car outside when it's cold. I will take it to a good hand wash in my neck of the woods and let them wash it. Plus the owner of the joint I go to is a friend of mine and he will let me come in and wash/detail it myself for $10/hr.

Once I open my own car wash/detail shop, that will be a different story entirely. I'll take my car there and wash it.

As for getting rid of the salt underneath the car, I go to a touchless automatic car wash.