chevygal Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 I haven't been able to wash my truck for two months (gasp!!!), first due to the frigid temps and now because the snow is melting and there's salt and crap all over the streets. Will the salt/grime on my truck hurt the paint? I never let it go this long but seems stupid to wash it when it's going to get dirty as soon as I drive out of the car wash bay. We're supposed to get more snow tomorrow. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
04silveradoclone07ss Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 over time as it builds up it can hurt the paint, but what i do because my truck is the same as yours is i go to a touchless car wash, have the high pressure blow off all the grim then i run it throught the car wash. but now the weathers is warming up so its back to hanwashing for me~Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePDB Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 over time as it builds up it can hurt the paint, but what i do because my truck is the same as yours is i go to a touchless car wash, have the high pressure blow off all the grim then i run it throught the car wash. but now the weathers is warming up so its back to hanwashing for me~Kyle I just usally wash it even though it's a waste... I guess in my mindset it's nice nowing I'm getting atleast some off the crap off before more crap gets picked up. It's gotta atleast be a tiny bit better than letting it go (atleast I tell myself that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterp Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 (edited) You cannot go that long between washes for several reasons - first the larger dirt particles build up and by the time that you actually do put wash mitt to paint you will be literally sanding the surface with the accumulated grit, and second it allows deep build-up of road salts. Ideally you should wash your vehicle with a mitt every other week, but I certainly understand the cold weather so at a minumum you should do a high-pressure spray wash including the undercarriage every 10-14 days just to keep the accumulation down until time comes when you can take time to do a real wash. Remember to aim the wand under the truck so you blow the grime off the underside of the body, bed, and bumpers - rinse out all the grit you can. Mr. P. ps - and don't use anything but a real sheepskin washmitt on your truck! Don't use brushes or sponges at the carwash, just the high-pressure hose to rinse off the grime. Edited February 21, 2007 by misterp (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmax2fast Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 You cannot go that long between washes for several reasons - first the larger dirt particles build up and by the time that you actually do put wash mitt to paint you will be literally sanding the surface with the accumulated grit, and second it allows deep build-up of road salts. Ideally you should wash your vehicle with a mitt every other week, but I certainly understand the cold weather so at a minumum you should do a high-pressure spray wash including the undercarriage every 10-14 days just to keep the accumulation down until time comes when you can take time to do a real wash. Remember to aim the wand under the truck so you blow the grime off the underside of the body, bed, and bumpers - rinse out all the grit you can. Mr. P. ps - and don't use anything but a real sheepskin washmitt on your truck! Don't use brushes or sponges at the carwash, just the high-pressure hose to rinse off the grime. I work for my gpa at his 6 coin opperated car washes and yes, it will hurt your paint... Mr. P put it quite eloquently. Try to find a cheap one. We have two that the min. is 25 cents to start for fourty seconds. others are $1.50 for four min. We're pretty cheap though, but its still definitely worth it, don't want the paint peeling and fading in five years do ya? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevygal Posted February 21, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Ok, thanks guys. I actually bring all my own stuff to the car wash bay and I use a microfiber mitt when I wash it. I am going to have it washed and waxed at the dealership in April so they can get any swirls or marks off it. I just hate seeing it so dirty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eamonnschevy Posted February 21, 2007 Report Share Posted February 21, 2007 Ok, thanks guys. I actually bring all my own stuff to the car wash bay and I use a microfiber mitt when I wash it. I am going to have it washed and waxed at the dealership in April so they can get any swirls or marks off it. I just hate seeing it so dirty. it's good to hear you use your own stuff when you wash your truck... the brushes get used to take all kinds of crap of other peoples cars n trucks and can damage your paint worse than the salt grime you already have on it, i wash my truck or have it washes at least once a week and detailed by a buddys company most months i hate driving a dirty truck ... it might be worth investing in your own small pressure washer makes it easier to keep clean provided you can get a water supply to it.. post some before and after pics so we can see what a great job you do eamonn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevygal Posted February 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 It doesn't come out as nice when I wash it at the car wash as when I wash it at home. My driveway is on an incline so all the water runs off the back. I use Lustrelab soap. I really like it. I was skeptical about it at first so I tested it on my mother's red car ;) You don't have to dry the vehicle except for the glass and any water that drips off the mirrors, etc. At this point, I just want to get that build up off. I'll probably blast it with the pressure hose a few times, then use the pressure soap, rinse, then use my own soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
04silveradoclone07ss Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 just noticed you are from mass, what part??~~Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman31 Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 Whether its snowing or its raining or its friggin cold out, I still find time to wash my SS every week. Seeing it dirty kills me, as I am a fanatic about having a clean truck. My SS will never see an automatic car wash, only I wash it by hand. This way if it gets scratched god forbid, the only person I can blame is myself. Leaving salt on your SS for that amount of time will kill your paint and corrode your wheels (especially chrome) over a period of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevygal Posted February 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 I'm on the North Shore in Revere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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