Well, the move to Leavenworth is upon me. My worst fear (well with tongue in cheek I guess) has been realized. I will not have a garage at the next house. There will be a carport of some description but the wife's SUV will likely get it (since she takes the baby around).

I will have a hose but that won't be much use when we get there next week - pretty cold. So, any tips on keeping the Mini and it's big sibling in some semblance of cleanliness. I know about using the coin-op places in an emergency but other tips would be welcomed.

 

i would send it through the auto touchless and then
follow up with Griot's SprayOn Car Wash and finish it up.

 

Find a DIY wash-bay place, and take your stuff with you during non-busy hours to get it done. I'm in the same situation and it works okay for me, as long as I don't go during a time when it's really packed.

Covering it when it's clean and dry helps too.

 

or just get a FitS and just use that.

then you wont need anything.

 

My MINI stays outside year round and this time of year it gets trashed. Weekly washings is all I can do. I fill a 5 gal bucket with hot water from the tap then split it with my other bucket and fill the remainder up with the hose. This at least gives you warm water to wash with.
Covers are a pain in the winter since you can wake up and find 2 ft of snow weighing it down and then hanging the cover to dry is a challenge too.
So just grin a bear it, spring will be here soon (which means hail in Kansas ).

 

Portagarage....

 

is there a hatch on that to close it completely?

my village would have a field day if i used that on my driveway.

 

Mine sits outside year round.....when it gets cold I just bucket wash it at coin-op washes and wear rubber gloves over my mittens.

 

Here in St.Louis, This is what I do in the winter. Our MINIs live in a carport.

When the temps are above 25F, I wash with a hose, in the driveway, in the sun. We have a frost free faucet outside, and I keep the hose in the basement, and hook it up when I wash. I fill 2 buckets with warm water, one with soap, one to rinse my mitt. Wash as per normal, freeze fingers while drying.

When the temps are below 25F, I go to the local wand wash, and just spray off the crap as best I can, no wiping, no drying, except door jambs/windows.

I apply Banana Gloss, on days above 35F in the sun after a wash.

Mark

 

Yep... roll-up doors front and rear.

I know most municipal areas frown about these... but in rural areas (and less civilized townships) they're a viable option. And, let's face it, anywhere that allows homes without garages is *less* civilized.

 

Welcome to the area, be sure to check out the KC Miniacs website for club happenings and info when you get situated.

My MINI lives outside too, and when it gets warm enough I take it to the brushless and run her thru to get the worst off, our winter really isn't that tough tho so you should be able to keep her clean enough.