How do you get your new T4Rs cleaned in the winter?

[chetJ]

So, I have been trying to decide how to get my new T4R cleaned. We just had snow here in PA and I hate all the grime and salt that is now the T4R. So my question is-

Since it is freezing outside and hand washing is not going to be the most comfortable, would you take it to an automatic car wash? If yes, would you go to a brush one or a touchless one?

 

[Antman]

I like to keep my cars CLEAN too.. Sometimes I wash mine (carefully!) in the garage in the winter, but mostly I just use the coin op pressure washer. I don't like the "touchless" washes, I've had them turn black plastic trim white on a few vehicles in the past- My Titan for one. I think they use stronger detergents to try to break up the grime and some plastics don't like it.

 

[chetJ]

Antman- I like that idea- but what about the underbody/ undercarraige? The coin operated pressure washers do not have that option do they?

 

[Antman]

Good point- Guess you would have to get down and get wet You can still get a good bit underneath, though, since our trucks have that 9.6" of clearance! I use a spray marine product from a company called CRC to coat fasteners and exposed metal that rusts on my undercarriage. Places like the welds on tow hitches always rust and this stuff leaves a waxy coating behind that keeps it like new. My outboard motor looks perfectly brand new after 10 years. You can get it at places like West Marine and it's cheap.

 

[scanny]

Since it is freezing outside and hand washing is not going to be the most comfortable, would you take it to an automatic car wash? If yes, would you go to a brush one or a touchless one?

I put my T4R through a brush one a couple times, but next day turck is all dirty again : )

 

[kingpin748]

I yell at my wife.

 

[Antman]

Kingpin I have only been on here a short time and have laughed out loud from at least 4 of your posts. Thanks for that!

 

[chetJ]

Ah--- I have to try that myself Kingpin-will that work with the undercarraige still?

 

[Mtn.Rush]

Ah--- I have to try that myself Kingpin-will that work with the undercarraige still?

Depends which undercarriage were talking about!:moon::hiding: I have been taking it to the touchless car wash here in ny and haven't had any issues yet.

 

[kingpin748]

Kingpin I have only been on here a short time and have laughed out loud from at least 4 of your posts. Thanks for that!

Thank you sir. I don't have much to add on the technical side but I do try.

 

[angrydog]

Coin Pressure wash is the way to go.

Sorry for the real crappy iPhone pictures.

 

[Hawkdog21]

I make high school kids do it

 

[Johnny Utah]

any of you guys live in the northern virginia area or washington DC area? Is it just me or are there literally NO coin operated pressure washes around here? I used to live in the midwest, and there was do it yourself car washes everywhere! Now where i live, i haven't see any of them.

Anybody live in my area, know of any do it yourself car wash places? I actually like cleaning my car, i just haven't seen any!

 

[RNA352]

Long coin op pressure washer sessions is what I've been doing - I think I've spent as much on that as I have gasoline this winter.

Antman, is this the stuff you're referring to?

 

[SOMDRUNNER1]

Down here in Southern Md. we have coin operated car washes. The closer you are to D.C. the less likely you are to find one though because self-serve car washes tend to be great places to get robbed and or car-jacked ! I use a "touch-free" car wash most of the time because the BP does not show the possible light scratches as much as the darker colors do.

 

[blacksmithdog]

Here in South Carolina, we put on our shorts and flip flops. Sometimes we even have to wear shirts, when it's below 70 or so..... :lol:

 

[Johnny Utah]

Down here in Southern Md. we have coin operated car washes. The closer you are to D.C. the less likely you are to find one though because self-serve car washes tend to be great places to get robbed and or car-jacked ! I use a "touch-free" car wash most of the time because the BP does not show the possible light scratches as much as the darker colors do.

yeah, thats not a bad thought. I just assumed it was because the property values were to expensive for a car wash to make any money. Kinda sucks. I enjoy washing my car. I took my 4runner to a car wash during lunch to get the salt and stuff removed.

is brushless the way to go or what? I feel like the brushless ones, dont do a good job of removing all the dirt.

 

[fmixman]

I live in Pa as well, I use the brush version of the car wash. I prefer a few scratches to salt rust...:naughty:

I am sure many people will tell me I'm crazy (not the first time) but I find the brush-less ones like a giant tease. They never clean anything.

 

[BigAlT4R]

Here in South Carolina, we put on our shorts and flip flops. Sometimes we even have to wear shirts, when it's below 70 or so..... :lol:

That's why I like to watch the news when the South gets a little dusting of snow...all the non-drivers smashing into one another...:whipping2 Didn't I see you on COPS?

I use whatever is available...touch-less auto, brush, and my dealer has a free car wash with brushes that does a pretty good job...open when temps above freezing. I say anything that gets some or all of the salt off is better than nothing.

 

[SOMDRUNNER1]

I didn't use automated car washes often in the past, but these days with a busy schedule and or colder weather I just use a touchless wash. I think you may see some scratches from an automated car wash with a darker vehicle. Lately, I usually only buy light colored vehicles (white or silver) and don't worry as much about light swirls or scratches from these washes. Usually after going through an automated car wash I use a little spray detailer and a microfiber towel to touch-up the spots that are missed by the car wash.