winter car wash tips?

Why can't you go back to the dealership?? I just brought in mine this morning. Luckily there was hardly anyone else waiting for service. I just told the receptionist I was there to have my car washed... when the kid came up to grab the key from me, I let him know I wanted it washed by hand. He said it wasn't a problem at all if I didn't mind waiting... so I waited and got my IS washed by hand this morning!! Of course it got dirty again by the time I got home but still looks better than it was before... I tipped him $5 when he gave me back the key since they hardly ever get gratuities. *shrug*

I live in Minnesota and know how the salt and sand make your car's finish look like crap. I figure Ill take it into the dealership every two weeks or so to get it washed. This should be good enough...

Scott.

Hey A-Train I can relate.

I live in Ottawa, which is a whole hell of a lot colder than your place and I also have an SBM IS300. I have been an enthusiast of cars my whole life (37 years) and have concidered just about every form of washing and caring for a car. Here is what I do:

#1) The winter sucks and there isn't much you can do about the car getting dirty quick after a wash, so set your standards lower during the ugly season.

#2) Never take a cool car like our IS300's through an aouto wash, even the touchless ones becuase4 like you said the 17" wheels wil get scraped sooner or later.

#3) Find your favourite "do it yourself" place. You know the joints where they give you a stall with a pressure hose, etc. And with that here is what I do:

a) keep a rubber glove, wash mit, bucket and two large teri cloth towels in the trunk.

b) start by pressure washing the car.

c) fill the bucket with soapy water before the end of the 1st cycle.

d) using your gloved hand wipe the entire car down with the soapy water.

e) rinse with a 2nd cycle

f) dry with the towels, and make sure you do not swirl the towels, try to dry in linear motions since even with this type of care your SBM will get micro-scratched.

Note: I have trouble doing the drying part of it in temperatures lower than minus 10 celcius (or approximatly 15 F).

Have fun

Throttle. SBM