Ok, I've read the great washing advice for the non OC mini washers out there (which would be me). The extent of my washing experience is to either take it to the dealer on Saturdays for its weekly bath or to my brother's for an OC detailing, but of late, I've been on the road on the weekends, mainly traveling in the great White North, where I've manage to accumulate a ton of slush, dirt, salt and road grime. My LY is now looking closer to a chili pepper white, with the exception of the windows, which for safety reasons are clean.

It's still freezing where I live, and probably will be for the next couple of months. OC Brother is three hour drive away, I don't think the dealer will give her the thorough bath she needs and I'm a little afraid to take her through the local car wash, due to her bonnet striping. I'm not up to doing as OC in other post mentioned, going out in 10 degree weather and washing her, nor do I have access to a heated garage or other vehicles to drive. Is a touchless carwash a safe alternative? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please be gentle, I'm still a newbie in the world of Cooper's!

 

are there any car wash bays and is it warm enough to use one? that will get some of it off, although if you only use the wand (recommended - stay away from those brushes) there will still be dirt on there. I've taken mine to a car wash bay, soaped and rinsed, then while it is still wet, sprayed on some quick detailer (like Prima Slick) and wiped off with a Monster Fluffy. That way, you get some dirt off with the spray, some with the detailer.

however, it is really cold, this may not be an option, unless you find an enclosed wash bay.

otherwise, i would live with it until it gets warm.

i would stay away from touchless (especially if there's a track the car has to go on) and i would really stay away from the dealer. most of them don't care very much about what they're doing and will add a lot of swirls to your paint.

 

I, too, live in the frozen, barren tundra wasteland, the Great White North that is New England in the winter. The touchless car wash isn't a bad idea, nor is the wand in the wash bay (but stay away from that brush thing). Certainly, stay away from the dealer's car wash unless you are sure it's touchless - and even then I certainly wouldn't let the dealer take my car through their wash. It takes them no time at all to put a ton of swirls in your paint - especially in your black roof - but it's lots of work to effectively remove them!

 

It's important to at least wash off what you can of the salt and road grime, since some of it is likely to damage your paint (particularly the salts and similar road treatments).

Since you're limited by a non-heated garage, time, and an OC brother who lives far away, I would also recommend going to the coin-wash with the wand. (like others already said, don't use the brush!) With the wand, you can at least get the majority of the sludge off of it. It'll look a little better and more importantly will keep the paint safer.

Here is a little caveat to using the wand:

Anytime you do not wash your car by hand and it is anything more than a little dusty, you risk scratching it if you touch it after washing, including drying and quick detailing. So, although you can wash it fairly safely using the wand, I do not suggest hand-drying or QDing afterwards. You simply cannot get enough of the fine dirt off with just the wand, so you risk rubbing the fine dirt all over your paint with your towel or cloth.

Having said that, some find it paramount to fully remove the damaging salts and gunk to save the paint, even if it means adding a few fine scratches and swirls in the process. These are usually people who have the PC and can later remove the scratches and swirls they put in this way. Just a thought for you to ponder.

A variation is to go to the coin-operated wand wash and bring a bucket, mitt and your own soap. Mini-dreams suggested this route and made a good note... if it's too cold this could be painful! If so, refer to the other wand-only suggestion and forego the drying. At least you'll get the major gunk off.

Good luck! Spring is coming... at least I hope. In the meantime, get that salt and grime off as best you can!

-Heather

 

I haven't washed my commuters for over 2 months.

 

Sitting in a corner, wrapped up in the fetal position, rocking back and forth, dribbling pea soup out of my mouth and repeating, "Spring is coming. Spring is coming. Spring is coming."

The MINI actually got washed at the dealership. Dobby's going to get polished out soon, and the swirl marks are bad, so what's a couple more. It was free, and it got the salt off.

 

I'm lucky I have always lived in the south, I can't go even two weeks without washing. (OCD I guess)