Should I clean my car this weekend?

[JonChalk]

So, having washed the car last weekend it is now filthy again (thanks to two dirt spreading, ignorant, lazy, incompetent companies (Yes, Veolia and Hegarty Construction, that's you) and one lazy, cowardly, incompetent council (stand up, Bedford) after just 100 miles.

So, given the weather to come, is it worth getting out the pressure washer and all the faff that goes with that, in sub-zero temperatures, only to have to do it all again next weekend (and again following), given that we will all be driving around in half an inch of soggy salt next week?

Edited by JonChalk on Friday 23 February 08:48

[JonChalk]

Davie said:

I'm totally with you OP, I was just away to post in the lounge asking if I should have a bacon roll on Sunday... time I get the rolls, open the fridge, piss around with the grill, clean up behind me and then I'll just be hungry again in a few hours... plus I had a bacon roll last Sunday and then I was hungry again by lunch time.

True & funny, but still not sure if you're helping ;-)

[JonChalk]

langtounlad said:

I hate washing cars in the cold weather

- agree

...and this.....

Mike335i said:

Might as well clean off the salt and grime that is already there if you have the time.

- agree

...votes running about equal....dilemma still there PH.

[JonChalk]

Davie said:

Prevention rather than cure does help... mine were machine polished in the better weather last year and then a couple of layers of wax and so through winter, assuming the hose isn't frozen I tend to just snowfoam them (bit of a gimmick but does help) and then power washer off and it's good enough to be 90% clean... at least it gets the worst of the crap off and more so under the arches and such like. Only takes about 15mins per car start to finish so not a huge hassle. I will wash them down if the weather allows and I have found myself washing them in light rain, however if there's a strong wind I point blank refuse... I absolutely hate the wind!

I have to faff about with a hose running through the house from the kitchen, to get water to the drive, so a bit of a pain when it's cold.

[JonChalk]

Now it's defrosted:



Can't do it today as neighbour's not at work, so no space on shared (double-width) drive.

[JonChalk]

Davie said:

As for asking what to do, that's up to the individual... why should the opinion of others really matter?

Bit of fun, really...........don't run my life by internet ;-)

• I* will decide whether I do it or not based on my circumstances, but always nice to hear other's views.

[JonChalk]

Mr2Mike said:

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm undecided whether to have a tuna and cucumber or a chicken salad roll for lunch. Any advice appreciated, as I struggle with important life decisions like this.

Is your life so miserable that you can't take it when other people just want a bit of fun and a lighthearted forum post. So sad :-(.

[JonChalk]

Davie said:

Anyways, on the subject of bacon rolls...

Washing them or eating them?

[JonChalk]

Davie said:

The latter, tend to find the former makes the artisan bread go mushy... and somewhat dulls the taste of the hand reared spoiled pig rashers.

Very disagreeable.

Wrote a very humorous reply to this, but it looked smug and sarcastic in black and white, so will settle for:

"Wise choice."

[JonChalk]

Cold said:

Save your angst and indecision by popping the car down to your local car wash emporium where ten of your Earth pounds can be exchanged for some soap suds and a cheery demeanour.

Ah. Well. I am one of those sad sacks who believe that those ten pounds will also add a whole load of swirls and scratches to my (so far) swirl and scratch-free paintwork, whilst also not cleaning it as well as I could.

I also realise that it *would* be cleaner than it is now, and that I *would* be warmer than the people cleaning my car, but........

[JonChalk]

Cold said:

But then, come the warmer and sunnier months, think how much fun you'll have with the orbital polisher. There's hours of entertainment to be had using the various grades of polish, rags and pads.

Now, that is a good comeback!

[JonChalk]

Ninja59 said:

Mine had not been washed in a few weeks, was filthy....

......

I really want to do all that, but in 2 days it will look like my earlier pic, so the part of me sat in the warm, watching Winter Olympics is busy telling the bit wanting to go out and wash the car to "shut up".

[JonChalk]

mwstewart said:

It's better for the car - the layer of muck holds damp whenever it rains etc. and it's also better for you not presenting yourself as a slob - it depends if either of those things matter to you, of course

It really, really, really annoys the cr*p out of me to have a dirty car, but given the state of the roads I have no choice but to use to get to work, by the time I get home on Monday it will look like it does now - I'll have expended all that energy (and warmth) and everyone will still think I'm a slob.