What does everyone do to keep the exterior clean and protected during the winter?

At times I run the truck through the drive through car washes to get some of the road grime off.

Before it got too cold I washed, clay bar'd, polished, waxed etc.. but it just kills me to see the white haze sit on the paint. I'm only assuming that the clear coat can only take so much of that stuff.

Tips, thoughts?

Well they don't salt the roads in alaska, just sand but i run my truck through the lazer wash once a week just to keep the the road grime down a little.

It's a never ending battle...especially if you have a black truck. Just do the best you can, keep her waxed and pray for spring.

It is a PITA...

LUCKY ENOUGH WHEN IT IS BAD WEATHER I DRIVE MY OTHER CAR.

Ok, don't laugh TOO hard but I went through the wash.. paid the lowest just for a quick spray down etc..

Go to drive out, it's 8 degrees.. The blowers come on and instantly freeze all water onto the paint and the windshield. Excellent example on how wind chill does make it colder. Truck is cleaner but with frozen water spots on it lol..



-edit to add content:

maybe it isn't feasable.. but what about an Indoor car wash? Would be cool. I'd love to turn on of the empty buildings into one of those. Could do indoor detailing. Man, I wish I was rich and had money to burn.

Heated shop!

Right around the 1st to middle of October the truck is washed really good and then 2-3 serious coats of wax are applied. Once winter sets in the truck goes through the touchless car wash( under carriage wash with the works )at least 1-2 times p/week. It gets expensive at $10 a pop but they use so much road salt up here you have to or you end up rusting out 2 years down the road. I also hate it when the truck is dirty.

sounds like you prepped it right.
You could apply some "Collonite Wax"
that stuff is supposed to be the best for the long winter application.
Don't be to tempted go to a car wash that touches the paint with something other than filtered water.

Park it and drive some POS for the winter.

quote:

Park it and drive some POS for the winter.

That's what I do. Truck stays in the garage and only comes out on nice sunny dry days.

just run it wash it when its not that cold and wax it in the spring. ive got black and its white right now but is 1 not much u can do. little touch up on the rust in the hitch and axle maby hate to do it but unless u wanna buy another vehical kill it slowly

I do what Buuce does, but sometimes I wash with a bucket and water...

quote:

Originally posted by "RANCHER":
especially if you have a black truck.

Your telling me.......I hate my truck this time of year. I spent $18. at the car wash . It looked great. The next day we had 10" of snow and I had to drive the wife to work. A complete waste of money.

felt i needed to start this thread back up just to rub in the fact that i work at a heated shop where the pressure washer is always readily available. Boss says " your going to wash the paint off that thing" and my rebutal " but this is only the third time this week"

good polishing followed by some wolfgang deep gloss paint sealant ( 2 coats ) foloowed by 2 coats of collintie 845 ( not the best for looks but that combo still shines nice and last till spring)

Also during the winter months i wash at the car wash whenever it gets above freezing and make sure to get underneath really well. I'll only hand wash after power washing so as not to induce micro marring and swirls from the cinders and salt

good tips and tricks i just wash and wash mine and try and drive the "danger ranger" as much as possible

i do the same as most guys....waxb4 it hits and car wash as often as i can...also get her rustchecked b4 winter hits....salt on the roads here is ridiculous...so much that the moose come out licking it off the road

$30 unlimited lazer wash per month.

They close most of the car washes here since it gets too cold!