First car wash in a LONG time

[crazy]

Ok, I know I will get flamed for this but here goes:

Despite having never done the wash, clay, polish, mild polish, clean and seal/wax, I need to wash my car... today... I want her lookin' somewhat decent for the meet tomorrow;)

DISCLAIMER: realize i should've given her a great spring detail (esp clay and paint cleaner)... But, it's now getting towards winter and I need her washed.

A few things:
despite above, my paint is in good condition. yeah, she has scratches but nothing below surface.

Question 1. Washing the car
1) go touchless? without drying b/c of the lasting thin film of sh*t on the car post wash. water pressure is usually lower than auto washes=good.
2) or do it by hand (and freeze my ass off)

Question 2: given that i am not going to clay, polish, clean paint and seal:: what should I do after wash --- just let air-dry?? obviously towel off doorjams, etc.


Any advice would be grately appreciated. Read David's excellent post on detailling 101 and searched for washing in winter...

Thanks guys.

Blair

[crazy]

no one has anything to say?
surprised.

[IanBMW]

If you go touchless, you have to let it airdry; definitally a bad idea to touch a towel to it. If you do it by hand ya your going to be in pain. You could wash it once by hand, put a sealant on it to keep it good and protected throughout winter andthen just maintain it with touchless washes. That would be my advice. Although I have no idea how cold it is up there. I'm still in 70-80F weather down here :)

[Schniddy]

check the Reconditioning section in the forum.
IMHO do a good detail job before the winter.

[nando]

touchless washes are worthless.. they don't even come close to removing all the dirt. high pressure, hot soapy water on my car still leaves a film of mud. break out a sponge, clean the car, dry it with a chamois, and wax it. it shouldn't take more than 2-3 hours..

[King Luis]

touchless washes are worthless.. they don't even come close to removing all the dirt. high pressure, hot soapy water on my car still leaves a film of mud. break out a sponge, clean the car, dry it with a chamois, and wax it. it shouldn't take more than 2-3 hours..

i agree, i did the touchless last week and my car was still dirty. i always wash my car by hand. always keep water on your hands since it'll keep them warmer then the outside air. then chamios(however you spell it) and i usually wax once ever 2 months or so. my paint is faded in certain areas and waxing it brings it back to life.

[crazy]

problem semi-solved for short term.

Went to Scott's for the NE meet today.
We went to the touchless car wash a few min away from Scott's garage, it got a good amt of the dirt off but the rocker panels are still hurtin.
still orig paint, surface scratches, no rust.

will do it by hand the next sunny warm (relative term, above 45 or 50 would be ideal) day... seal and wax.
tx for the replies

[Court M3]

Spend the time and do it right. Did the M yesterday in 30 degree Chicago weather before putting her is storage for the winter. 3 glorious hrs washing. this morning she gets a coat of wax and a cover.

Then the seats get removed for winter time reconditioning