Okay, it's snowing in Denver today and my car got dirty. Clearly a tragedy. What's the best advice for a car wash if it's too cold out to do it myself. I'm sure brushless is ideal, but does that mean those automatic thingies at the gas stations, or is there a better option? This is my first new car, so I'm a little clueless.

 

Use only TOUCHLESS automatic car washes. DO NOT go through any automatic car wash that actually touches your car.

 

Also, to find those automatic car wash that doesn't need a drive belt to pull your car through the wash, the drive belt will scratch your rim. There are some car wash that you can drive your car in to the bay and the water and soap will move around to wash the car, much better then the drive belt.

 

Should I let my car's paint cure, since I just got it a week ago? I'm planning on finally joining the Zaino phenomenon, but I don't want to strip the wax just yet if the car's not ready for it.

 

You should be find. The manufactures use high temp painting booths plus the time it took to get to the US, then the dealer and then to you. Check the label by your front door where the tire pressure label is and you can see what month your car was built. I'm sure it's been at least a month.

 

If you used brushless, don't let the attendant dry the car, do it yourself. Bring your own cloth.

Or, go to one of those self-wash bays. Bring a bucket and handwash. Or, if you're in a real hurry, bring it to the bay when it's raining! Power wash, rinse, then simply drive it away into the rain! No worry about drying and water spots!

 

I have always stayed away from car washes, until recently when we had water restrictions and could be fined for letting water run into the street, I started using a new local wash, touchless, blow dries most of the water off, they hand dry the remnants. I have been extremely happy with this place, I just have the exterior washed, then drive home and dry off any water that streaked out of the nooks and crannies, or any areas they may have missed, like around the wheel wells. Funny, last time I went, I was the fourth G35 in line, all right in front of me. I still like washing the car myself, but we do have to watch our water usage here in the desert SW, and car washes recycle their water. I also use a self wash place, and just use the spot free rinse, it's kind of hard right now because there are a lot of trees around there and leaves don't mix with washing a car.

 

If you have a garage, I'd recommend Protect-All's Quick & Easy Wash. It's a hose-less way of washing you car. I love it so much that I've adopted it as my primary method of washing my car, regardless of the weather conditions. For more information, checkout the following autopia page:

http://autopia.org/forum/hall-fame/3...-part-1-a.html