How do you guys wash/clean your car when it's really cold outside without going to the carwash? I've read articles on just using a bucket of water and a quick detailer inside the garage.

I have a black vehicle and it really looks nasty when not clean, so any suggestions would really be appreciated.

Thanks.

Winter is about the only time I ever go to a car wash. I always wash by hand when the weather is warm enough, but when it is below freezing (has been for a month up here now) I usually take it to a car wash. I look for a touchless car wash that has an air dryer. If these are attached to a gas station they are usually much cheaper if you fill up at the same time. This has worked fine for me. All of the road salt, sluch and grime that I get in the winter is way too much to clean off in the garage with some quick detailer.

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Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

We are lucky to live right next to (within a mile of) a hand wash carwash. They vacuum, dust, and then pass it through on a regular car wash unit with hired hands instead of machines.
If I wasn't lucky, then the garage or an 'above freezing' sunny day is the only other option.

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David Weis
Old Rides================
70 250
73 450SL
78 300D
88 Grand Am
Current Rides=============
95 280C *
98 SL500 *

I usually wait until the temperature gets above freezing for several days in a row, although in the northeastern USA, that may be awhile Then I go to a hand wash car wash. The downside is door locks, window and door seals, and antennas will freeze if left at all damp.

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

In Missouri lately, its been 20 degrees and -10 windshield factor for a while. I wait before washing my car. Whats the point of washing it at a machine car wash that will scratch and cause swirl marks in your paint and you have to pay for it, only to get back on the road and have your car dirty again before the end of the day?

But like Jason says, try to go to one with a air dryer, otherwise the water will turn to a sheet of ice in a few minutes.

Like David said look for a carwash that does it buy hand (no machine brushes involved). I have to travel about 8 miles to find one where I am and they are little more expensive, but its well worth it to protect that paint.