To wash or not to wash

fr0stb1t3 · 08-17-2008, 04:57 PM

So my car is dirty (very dirty) after finding a 3 inch deep puddle on the highway this weekend, unfortunately I'm in the middle of rainy season and the 7 day forecast says rain all week (20% chances).

I know if I wash it, rain will follow me around all week long and rain everywhere I go/am going.

If I don't wash it, it will never rain and my car will have dirt all over it for a week +

bntn · 08-17-2008, 05:10 PM

I wash mine every other week and I live in the southeast too. I don't have time to wash it everytime a small speck of dirt gets on it. Rinse it off good and dry it with a microfiber cloth until the rainy season is over. Or wash it and get Maguire's Quick Detail spray and use it if it get a bit dirty.

fr0stb1t3 · 08-17-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bntn

I wash mine every other week and I live in the southeast too. I don't have time to wash it everytime a small speck of dirt gets on it. Rinse it off good and dry it with a microfiber cloth until the rainy season is over. Or wash it and get Maguire's Quick Detail spray and use it if it get a bit dirty.

There's enough dirt that Quick Detail spray will scratch the coat...

I hate washing my car and getting rained on. Oh well.

GaryH · 08-17-2008, 05:17 PM

Check out the National Weather Service/NOAA web site for zip code 36532 (where I live) and you'll see that 20% is good. Wash it. It doesn't take much time and lets you spend quality time with your Sky.

BSRL · 08-17-2008, 05:30 PM

If it's really dirty then go ahead and wash it. Wash it again later when it stops raining later in the week.

**DIABLO WINDS** · 08-17-2008, 06:53 PM

I'm not too far away from you fr0stb1t3. I'll be washing mine later tonight.

Enjoy!

SteveSky67 · 08-17-2008, 07:51 PM

I always hated washing cars..but washing the sky is very pleasureable....I wash it at lease once a week..

SWTSKY · 08-17-2008, 08:16 PM

Hey,,,,,,Ya'll know how it works. You wash, it rains. You don't wash, It don't rain! I waxed my car yesterday and now she's put away for the week.

scorpio22 · 08-17-2008, 08:22 PM

I wash mine either daily or every second day if I'm not heading into town that day. At least 3-4 times/week though.

Living in Hawai'i - we have the trade winds that blow in 15-second rains at least once a day - and depending on the direction of the wind - that rain can have some volcanic residue in it --- just like pumice that will scratch the paint easily.

Hey - I've washed it IN the rain. lol --- it's a great way to get my back tanned.

IKenn · 08-17-2008, 09:16 PM

Wash it does a body good

saturnmonkey · 08-17-2008, 09:18 PM

hi, well im officially a sky redline fanatic!!!! I just got my new sky and was a rainy day outside today, I was pondering weather to wash my new car so just said to myself ok guess Ill just look crazy and wash it. I bonded with my baby though!!!!!!!!!

SKY888 · 08-17-2008, 09:20 PM

bro....WASH YOUR CAR!

SKY888 · 08-17-2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveSky67

I always hated washing cars..but washing the sky is very pleasureable....I wash it at lease once a week..

I feel the same way

fr0stb1t3 · 08-17-2008, 09:22 PM

I did, I did! Quite beautifully I might add.

SKY888 · 08-17-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saturnmonkey

hi, well im officially a sky redline fanatic!!!! I just got my new sky and was a rainy day outside today, I was pondering weather to wash my new car so just said to myself ok guess Ill just look crazy and wash it. I bonded with my baby though!!!!!!!!!

welcome bro! Have fun w/ your baby!

IKenn · 08-17-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saturnmonkey

hi, well im officially a sky redline fanatic!!!! I just got my new sky and was a rainy day outside today, I was pondering weather to wash my new car so just said to myself ok guess Ill just look crazy and wash it. I bonded with my baby though!!!!!!!!!

WELCOME ABOARD!!
Keep your Baby shining!!

Bogie · 08-17-2008, 09:45 PM

Is it a daily driver with not other options?
Do you have a garage?
Do you have a cover?
Easy access to water hose (home or apartment?)
What kind of "dirt" is on the car?
Does it get "too dirty" for quick detail every time you drive in rain?

The basic rule of thumb is you get dirt, water spots, or any other contaminant off the car sooner rather than later. If I went through a puddle that threw mud and crap all over the fender, I would still hose it off as soon as I could, even in the rain!

If it's a matter of rain rain rain, and it never gets a breather to wash or quick detail, and you don't have a garage, then you're stuck. I would still recommend hosing off anything ugly. As long as your car is getting a good dose of water (e.g. rain), it prevents any contaminants in the water from drying on the finish. And if they do dry, as long as the sun doesn't get a chance to start baking, then you should have time. This is why a good wax coat is important as it gives you some time between baking and cleaning before bad stuff reaches the finish.

Strange, but once your car gets rained on, the rain (or clouds) become your friend. The Sun becomes the enemy. Never let the sun bake contaminants on your finish; black finishes are the worst....not only do they show it more, they cook it quicker.

fr0stb1t3 · 08-17-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogie

Is it a daily driver with not other options?
Do you have a garage?
Do you have a cover?
Easy access to water hose (home or apartment?)
What kind of "dirt" is on the car?
Does it get "too dirty" for quick detail every time you drive in rain?

The basic rule of thumb is you get dirt, water spots, or any other contaminant off the car sooner rather than later. If I went through a puddle that threw mud and crap all over the fender, I would still hose it off as soon as I could, even in the rain!

If it's a matter of rain rain rain, and it never gets a breather to wash or quick detail, and you don't have a garage, then you're stuck. I would still recommend hosing off anything ugly. As long as your car is getting a good dose of water (e.g. rain), it prevents any contaminants in the water from drying on the finish. And if they do dry, as long as the sun doesn't get a chance to start baking, then you should have time. This is why a good wax coat is important as it gives you some time between baking and cleaning before bad stuff reaches the finish.

Strange, but once your car gets rained on, the rain (or clouds) become your friend. The Sun becomes the enemy. Never let the sun bake contaminants on your finish; black finishes are the worst....not only do they show it more, they cook it quicker.

Classic bogie answer. How long have you been an engineer again?

Bogie · 08-18-2008, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr0stb1t3

Classic bogie answer. How long have you been an engineer again?

I've had my degree for 23 years, but I was an engineer long before that. The funny thing is the longer I'm an engineer, the more I look back on my days as an engineer (as well as the current days) and think to myself, "Geez, we're @#$&ed up".

Alan Cooper says it a bit more eloquently.
Amazon.com: The Inmates Are Running the Asylum: Alan Cooper: Books

SWTSKY · 08-18-2008, 01:37 PM

Well fr0stb1t3,,,Look what you did. All this rain tells me you washed your car!

fr0stb1t3 · 08-18-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTSKY

Well fr0stb1t3,,,Look what you did. All this rain tells me you washed your car!

yeah, I cleaned it big time and now it hasn't stopped raining.

View Poll Results: Should I wash?
Yes	20	86.96%
No	3	13.04%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

08-17-2008, 04:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
fr0stb1t3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Highland Park, Texas Posts: 350 My Photos: (0)	To wash or not to wash So my car is dirty (very dirty) after finding a 3 inch deep puddle on the highway this weekend, unfortunately I'm in the middle of rainy season and the 7 day forecast says rain all week (20% chances). I know if I wash it, rain will follow me around all week long and rain everywhere I go/am going. If I don't wash it, it will never rain and my car will have dirt all over it for a week +

08-17-2008, 05:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
bntn Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 71 My Photos: (0)	I wash mine every other week and I live in the southeast too. I don't have time to wash it everytime a small speck of dirt gets on it. Rinse it off good and dry it with a microfiber cloth until the rainy season is over. Or wash it and get Maguire's Quick Detail spray and use it if it get a bit dirty. __________________ bntn MIDNITE 5/7/07 Deposit 7/23/07 Delivered order # MBGNHV. 2008 RL Onyx Black/Black leather Monsoon/CD

08-17-2008, 05:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
GaryH First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fairhope, Al Posts: 1,377 My Photos: (0)	Check out the National Weather Service/NOAA web site for zip code 36532 (where I live) and you'll see that 20% is good. Wash it. It doesn't take much time and lets you spend quality time with your Sky. __________________ Silver Pearl Black/Black leather LSD CD/MP3 XM satellite 5 speed manual VIN#1745 Fiamm horn Magnaflow Quad Tip Exhaust

08-17-2008, 05:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
BSRL Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 755 My Photos: (2)	If it's really dirty then go ahead and wash it. Wash it again later when it stops raining later in the week. __________________ My Car Domain Page: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3051777

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08-17-2008, 06:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
DIABLO WINDS Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denton, Texas Posts: 52 My Photos: (2)	I'm not too far away from you fr0stb1t3. I'll be washing mine later tonight. Enjoy! __________________ 2008 Sky Black Onyx/Black Leather 2.4L with Dual Filter Fujita CAI 5-Speed

08-17-2008, 08:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
SWTSKY First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Corinth Tx Posts: 771 My Photos: (4)	Hey,,,,,,Ya'll know how it works. You wash, it rains. You don't wash, It don't rain! I waxed my car yesterday and now she's put away for the week. __________________ Chili Pepper Red Premium Trim Package Tan/Black Tinted Windows / Wind Restrictor/ Automatic,LSD, Chili Pepper Red Calipers XM, MP3, 6 Disk, Monsoon Stereo / Stubby Antenna Duel CAI-Fujita Magnaflow Dual Exhaust w/ quad tips

08-17-2008, 08:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
scorpio22 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Honolulu, Hawai'i Posts: 34 My Photos: (0)	I wash mine either daily or every second day if I'm not heading into town that day. At least 3-4 times/week though. Living in Hawai'i - we have the trade winds that blow in 15-second rains at least once a day - and depending on the direction of the wind - that rain can have some volcanic residue in it --- just like pumice that will scratch the paint easily. Hey - I've washed it IN the rain. lol --- it's a great way to get my back tanned. __________________ Aloha from Hawai'i *~AJ~* - 2007 Sky 2.4 - Silver Pearl w/ Red & Black Leather ---Stubby Antenna \| Shaved Badges Coming soon: Hahn Stage II or III Turbo system / Header / CAI / Cat-Back Exhaust

08-17-2008, 09:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
IKenn Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bedford,Texas Posts: 252 My Photos: (8)	Wash it does a body good __________________ "Liberty" 07 Silver Pearl Black/Red Leather Vin# 103550 6 disc Prem Monsoon, Xm,CD/MP3 Slip Diff GM CAI Magnaflow Exhaust W/ dual quad tips Windrestrictor V1 Custom Laser W Red LED (2) Red Painted Calipers OGT Antenna

08-17-2008, 09:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
saturnmonkey Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5 My Photos: (0)	hi, well im officially a sky redline fanatic!!!! I just got my new sky and was a rainy day outside today, I was pondering weather to wash my new car so just said to myself ok guess Ill just look crazy and wash it. I bonded with my baby though!!!!!!!!!

08-17-2008, 09:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
SKY888 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: RI Posts: 845 My Photos: (4)	bro....WASH YOUR CAR! __________________ BTF GT3076R Turbo Kit & AEM Water/Methanol Injection Kit Next: Cry02 IC Spray 373whp & 358ft-lb (only 22psi) CAR SPECS & PHOTOS: www.carsponsors.com/420576 SPONSORED BY: aempower.com autometer.com killerglass.com brailleauto.com

08-17-2008, 09:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
fr0stb1t3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Highland Park, Texas Posts: 350 My Photos: (0)	I did, I did! Quite beautifully I might add.

08-17-2008, 09:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 2,483 My Photos: (0)	Is it a daily driver with not other options? Do you have a garage? Do you have a cover? Easy access to water hose (home or apartment?) What kind of "dirt" is on the car? Does it get "too dirty" for quick detail every time you drive in rain? The basic rule of thumb is you get dirt, water spots, or any other contaminant off the car sooner rather than later. If I went through a puddle that threw mud and crap all over the fender, I would still hose it off as soon as I could, even in the rain! If it's a matter of rain rain rain, and it never gets a breather to wash or quick detail, and you don't have a garage, then you're stuck. I would still recommend hosing off anything ugly. As long as your car is getting a good dose of water (e.g. rain), it prevents any contaminants in the water from drying on the finish. And if they do dry, as long as the sun doesn't get a chance to start baking, then you should have time. This is why a good wax coat is important as it gives you some time between baking and cleaning before bad stuff reaches the finish. Strange, but once your car gets rained on, the rain (or clouds) become your friend. The Sun becomes the enemy. Never let the sun bake contaminants on your finish; black finishes are the worst....not only do they show it more, they cook it quicker. __________________ 2008 Redline Black Onyx Black/Red Leather Monsoon 6 Disc Spoiler French Transmission Born July 2007 Snagged 8/31/07 Belle? That's my car Alizée? That's my avatar Me? Forty something male skydriver

08-18-2008, 01:37 PM	#20 (permalink)
SWTSKY First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Corinth Tx Posts: 771 My Photos: (4)	Well fr0stb1t3,,,Look what you did. All this rain tells me you washed your car! __________________ Chili Pepper Red Premium Trim Package Tan/Black Tinted Windows / Wind Restrictor/ Automatic,LSD, Chili Pepper Red Calipers XM, MP3, 6 Disk, Monsoon Stereo / Stubby Antenna Duel CAI-Fujita Magnaflow Dual Exhaust w/ quad tips