Cleaning off Snow

jw34 · #1 12-05-2007, 02:47 PM

What would be a safe thing to use to wipe snow off the car? I want something simple for my wife to use that won't be too OCD. Would a Monster fluffy or even a wash mitt work? What do other people use?

kenchan · #2 12-05-2007, 02:56 PM

best would be a leaf blower, i suppose to make minimal contact.
followed by the snow brum.

MiniMaybee · #3 12-05-2007, 03:22 PM

I use a brush on the windows then just drive fast to remove the rest. This confession is bound to cause admonishments from some, but that's what I do and will continue to do.
Caution: Do not drive behind me if you don't want snow blowing on your car.

kyriian · #4 12-05-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiniMaybee

I use a brush on the windows then just drive fast to remove the rest. This confession is bound to cause admonishments from some, but that's what I do and will continue to do.
Caution: Do not drive behind me if you don't want snow blowing on your car.

you are not alone

jw34 · #5 12-05-2007, 03:25 PM

Hmm the blower might be a problem in the middle of the mall lot! I never heard of the Snow Brum but that looks like it might be an answer. Seems to be available only online.

ACEkraut11 · #6 12-05-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw34

What would be a safe thing to use to wipe snow off the car? I want something simple for my wife to use that won't be too OCD. Would a Monster fluffy or even a wash mitt work? What do other people use?

NAPA sells a product called a Sno-Rake. It is made of a soft material that wont damage the surface of the car unless there is some grit in the snow. It is a rectangle shaped soft foam like material on the end of a telescoping bar that easily will reach across the width of your car by standing on one side. Works great. Car dealers use these to clean the huge car lots when they get a storm so you know if they are using it on new cars that they work well. You can twist the handle and telescope out to the full length then twist and compact it again to store it in your car or at your house. At my local NAPA they were selling it for $22. I bought three for Christmas gifts. I used mine all last year with no problems.

kenchan · #7 12-05-2007, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw34

Hmm the blower might be a problem in the middle of the mall lot!

yah, and it might look kinda funny too.

jw34 · #8 12-05-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACEkraut11

NAPA sells a product called a Sno-Rake.

Sounds just like the Snow Brum. I'll check it out. Thanks.

ACEkraut11 · #9 12-05-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw34

Sounds just like the Snow Brum. I'll check it out. Thanks.

Here is the web site:

http://www.snorake.com/

A quick Google search reveals it is available in many places.

jw34 · #10 12-05-2007, 06:57 PM

Check out the last post in this thread. Ouch.

http://autopia.org/forum/car-detaili...-sno-rake.html

erickvonzipper · #11 12-05-2007, 07:07 PM

I just clean off the windows and go.

Zip

cmiller18 · #12 12-05-2007, 07:39 PM

how about a garage/carport/canopy tent?

wolf617 · #13 12-05-2007, 07:45 PM

I used a California water blade today. Worked great although I wasn't wearing gloves and my hands got a little cold and wet.

jw34 · #14 12-05-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

how about a garage/carport/canopy tent?

Well it's in a garage when possible, but when errands are run coverage is a bit harder.

Quote:

I used a California water blade today.

That's an idea. The wife is kinda short and might have some problems reaching.

erickvonzipper · #15 12-06-2007, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmiller18

how about a garage/carport/canopy tent?

Not everyone has access to any of those, or even a driveway to put the tent up in.

Zip

umberto · #16 12-06-2007, 04:55 AM

I just sweep it off with my coat sleeve if there is a lot of snow making sure not to get down to the paint, so a little skim coat of snow is left.......then, if there is a lttle layer of snow left, I clear the windows with my sleeve and drive off...........if the snow slides off down to the paint that is fine as it seems not to scratch....maybe it is the few layers of slippery sealant (zaino in my case) that allows the snow layer to slide and not scratch......

rhawth99 · #17 12-06-2007, 06:41 AM

I use a soft bristled brush and lightly brush the ENTIRE car off. I hate being behind people that are too lazy to fully brush their vehicles off (it's like driving into a blizzard and it spots up my windshield).

heyduard · #18 12-06-2007, 07:56 AM

oxo makes a very nice snow brush/scraper combo. car safe bristles. for ~$15. That's wot I got.

kenchan · #19 12-06-2007, 08:06 AM

my wife said she used a plastic shovel

on my civic.

well, she didn't go all the way through the snow, but about halfway... so
she said and so it appears.

not that i care.

jw34 · #20 12-06-2007, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyduard

oxo makes a very nice snow brush/scraper combo. car safe bristles. for ~$15. That's wot I got.

I hope they are softer than the standard car brushes. Those things are deadly. They seem like they're one step down from wire.

BTW this is kind funny. I did a search on the OXO and the first place I went had on the same page things that are "related". Such as Meguiars Scratch-X! That's great. Advertise a brush and then a way to fix what you did with it.

Probably coincidence, but humorous.
http://www.properautocare.com/oxotwsnbrice.html

lotsie · #21 12-06-2007, 09:59 AM

We use the Oxo snow brushes on our MINIs, they work great and are very soft.

Not only is driving with snow on the car inconsiderate

, and dangerous

for those following behind, in many place it is illegal

Mark

MiniMaybee · #22 12-06-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotsie

..Not only is driving with snow on the car inconsiderate

, and dangerous

for those following behind, in many place it is illegal

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhawth99

... I hate being behind people that are too lazy to fully brush their vehicles off (it's like driving into a blizzard and it spots up my windshield).

Oh great, here we go again.

heyduard · #23 12-06-2007, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw34

I hope they are softer than the standard car brushes. Those things are deadly. They seem like they're one step down from wire.

BTW this is kind funny. I did a search on the OXO and the first place I went had on the same page things that are "related". Such as Meguiars Scratch-X! That's great. Advertise a brush and then a way to fix what you did with it.

Probably coincidence, but humorous.
http://www.properautocare.com/oxotwsnbrice.html

Like lotsie said, OXO's bristles are very soft. They are not the cheepie stiff plastic bristles. What is also nice about the oxo snow brush is the rubberized handle.

jw34 · #24 12-06-2007, 02:44 PM

Hmm. Maybe the new OXOs are made differently. I checked one out at a local store today and while they are a little softer than the normal brushes, they don't feel that much softer. Soft to me is the brush I used to use on a drafting table made out of horse hair. In fact I might have one lying around that I can use on the car.

Crashton · #25 12-06-2007, 03:26 PM

I don't think a horse tail is going to have enough stiffness for all but the softest snow. Any wet snow & it's just going to lay down & play dead.

As far as the water blade goes, I'd be afraid any dirt on the car under the snow would be ground into the paint.

For me I do the windows & do minimal brushing of snow. I just clean the lights with a snow brush.