pgj98m3

I just upgraded from my 99 White FRC to a Night Race Blue Z51 Stingray.
After 1 week of somewhat bizarre Vancouver BC weather the rains have returned.
My Stingray is my daily driver and looking a bit grubby...
How often do people wash their car during the rainy season?
Do you wait for the rare sunny breaks or just pick a day when it isn't pouring?

MaxDaemon

I've washed mine off IN the rain, taking the position that the road grime and guck is liquid at that point. If you wait for it to dry, you have to scrub it off...

However, mine mostly stays in the garage so I don't have much of a horse in this rain - er, race.

c4cruiser

Neither of my Vettes are DD's, but for my black Silverado that sits outside, I usually leave a hose attached to one of the house hose bibs so all I have to do is to turn on the water, grab the wash bucket, add some soap, and start to wash. If the temps are really cool, then I 'll add a little hot water to the wash bucket. It only takes me 15 minutes to completely wash the truck and then do a quick wipe-down of the inside.

But when the air temps fall to freezing and below, the hose goes back inside and I wait for higher temps before washing.

DidntSettle

My Corvette and GMC truck both get driven. I washed both of them in the rain to get the salt off them from the previous week's freeze. I keep the hose handy for a quick rinse if it's not freezing. We have a carport, so there is no nice warm garage to keep our rigs from the weather. Wash it when it needs it.

AaronZ51

I drive mine daily and typically wash about once a month in the winter or more frequently if the weather is going to be decent for at least three days. Yellow keeps looking pretty good when it's dirty.

pgj98m3

Yeah...I went from Wash it Every Day Black to Wash it Every Day White to Wash it Every Day Night Race Blue

KenHorse

I use Griots waterless car wash on both our C7 and C5Z and it doesn't matter how cold it is (nor hot) and it only takes 20 minutes to do either car

The only water both cars see falls from the sky

pgj98m3

Firing up the hose....first wash of my new baby!!!!

VIK TOY

last901

I don't think the car really cares when it gets washed, so it's a personal call. For my DD I wash it whenever Brown Bear gives me a coupon. To my mind, every time you wash a car you risk doing something to the paint. Microscopic perhaps, but after all you are rubbing something over the surface of the paint and who knows what might lurk in your wash mitt or whatever applicator you prefer to use.

I wash my C6 when I think it needs it. Usually maybe 3 times a year. The fewer times I rub something on the paint the better it keeps. Of course, things like big splatters, bird poop and road tar can be removed easily without washing the whole car. The wheels (chrome) can be maintained by application of wax or Speed Shine.

To be truthful, if I was using the C6 for a DD I'd probably wash it more frequently, and I'd use the same products.

Good question though. You're getting some great comments.

Mr. Peabody

Heck when the 95 was my only vehicle I washed it almost every weekend in the driveway all winter long. Washing in the rain means that you don't need to use the hose as much for rinsing

The neighbors thought I was nuts but I was having a great time. The furnace would keep the garage just warm enough that the locks would never freeze up.

go for it and be sure to show us some pics

JETninja

Had to DD my Z06 last winter when my M3 was down, its parked in the garage. Every time I came home with it wet, I'd wait for it to dry some but not all the way, then I'd take a 100% cotton towel and wipe it all dry, they hit it with Quick Wax to protect it, and wipe down the wheels, and Rain-X glass cleaner. Did this every day sometimes. Owning a Vette is a big responsibility and every day mine goes outside in is fully detailed.

I only wash it a few times a year, I keep it too clean to need washing.

SmileyOr

1) If it looks bad as I walk around the back end of it and it's still raining I wash it.
2) If it's really dirty after a long drive I wash it.
3) If it's not too bad and it's still raining and the streets are still wet I leave it until (see #1 above)
4) If the sun has come out and I'm heading out for a drive (anywhere), I wash it.

pgj98m3

Here ya go


It looked better in real life.

Of course it raining today.....

VIK TOY

BEAUTIFUL!!
Had to run to the store today and boy is my car filthy. All the road grime and leaf pieces "mainly on the rear" One of the store employees helped me and I told her "don't lean against the rear of the car,or you will get filthy. She said "Hey,its' OK, its from a beautiful Corvette!!"

rock_man

Washed mine this past weekend.




Clean Z06!

DidntSettle

That paint POPS!

rock_man

Indeed, thanks. I'm impressed with how much care the previous owner took of this one. It's 10 years old with 46k miles now.

last901

It's the chrome wheels

DidntSettle

YES!!!!! CHROME!!!!