I haven't posted in a while. Chicago winter is going to be bad this year and I'm really worried about my TL. This is my first winter because last year I didn't drive it. I waxed it about 2 weeks ago and my plan is to go get a car wash every 5 days. But I'm worried that may not be good for the car. There's no winning. Does anyone have any suggestions for me to get through this winter and keep the car looking like new?

Thanks in advance.

John

 

Same boat here in MA, but unless you park it for the Winter, just rinse the car when it gets above freezing, get yourself an orbital buffer and some pads and when it get's warm detail the car...
here is a link of a site that helped me get my scratched RSX-S looking new....join and read it's the best answer I can give you
click here

 

Chicago winters are no fun, which is why I put it in storage and drive a Grand Cherokee during the bad months.

My decision came when I realized the front end of the aspec would get destroyed and act like a snow plow, and that the chrome rims would look like shit afterwards.


(Thankfully my new place that will be done in the spring will have a garage so I will be able to put it there with the Jeep)

 

Same thoughts here in CT. First winter with it.

Dilemma
- If you wash it too often all you will be doing is grinding a lot of salt and sand dirt into it. No matter how careful you are.
- If you don't wash it often then all the salt is on it and works away at it anytime it is above 32F.

I'm simply going to spray it as often as I can an minimize the physical "touching" of it. I got a hose nozzle attachment ($5 at Walmart, 6 spray patterns) with a soap reservoir in it. I plan to soak the car in suds, let it sit, and let the suds loosen and lift what they can from the surface. Then rinse. Whatever that does will be good enough for the winter. If there is a really warm weekend then maybe I will hand wash.

This is the way I treated my last car and when it was 10 ears old the finish was still very scratch free.

Come spring I'll detail it again.

Gurus, please add your 2 cents.

 

Any of our DC area posters know if there's an old-fashioned DIY coin-op car wash around here where you put in your money and use their wand to wash your car? Those things aren't perfect, but they do the job.

Today my NBP TL was half white from the gunk after this week's snow, so I went down to the Mobil on 123 in Woodbridge. It's the type of car wash where you drive in and then sit in one place while the machine moves around the car. Seemed to do OK, and there isn't the concern about scratching up your wheels as long as you're careful when you pull in, but I'd be more comfortable using the other type if there's one around.

 

Clay can be your friend in the spring. I definately suggest using it in the spring to remove all the contaminants from your paint.

 

I've never used clay. I've always used wax. Would it help with getting the paint like new again?

 

I saw the news few days ago, the 737 airplane crashed onto street and hit a vehicle in Chicago.(b/c of heavy snow? )

 

clay is amazing, and quite easy to do. wash, clay, wax... you will love the result.

 

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/plane-crashes-midway-airport-326491/

 

What I did several years ago facing the same dilema about washing the car at a car wash then scratching the paint with the brushes, was to get a winter "beater" car. I got an old Cavalier for around $800...which lasted 2 years before the engine failed...then I sprung for a '94 Honda DelSol..which is a great "beater" winter car. I just won't drive my TL when there is salt on the highways. End of story.

 

I believe it misjudged the landing strip due to the snow storm. Additionally the slippery conditions caused the plane to slide and go through the runway, through the barriers, through the fence and into the street. Not good. 1 death.

 

That was the night it snowed like 6 inches. My 35 mile commute home which usually takes 45 min (all highway) took 4 1/2 hours! And it was a tragedy what happened at Midway.

As for keeping your car clean, either you have to have a winter car, or get your car washed at a touchless or handwash place every week. Then in the spring you can clay, wash, and wax the car.

 

i love winter, but i sure hate driving my TL in it!

 

i really miss living in chicago,

but i much prefer my san antonio winters

 

here is a preview of the wash, clay, wax process. lots of pics!!!

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120194