How bad is a layer of dirt on your car?

[danns]

My car is supposed to be black, but its white because of the layer of salt/dirt.
I do not want to go to the carwash for the risk of swirls and am wondering if just leaving this white layer of dirt on my car till spring is a good idea or not.
I waxed my car with collinite end of October for protection.

[belgiangenius]

It's bad for the paint. I never go more than 2 weeks without washing my car.

Run your car through a touchless car wash if it's too cold out to wash it, and then be sure to wax it in the spring, because the potent chemicals used in car washes will strip the wax off your car in the winter.

As soon as March rolls around each year, my car gets its yearly wax, and I don't use automatic car washes again until it's freezing outside the next winter.

[kvilkhu]

Which Collinite did you use?

You will risk having contaminants embed themselves into the clearcoat. It is something to attend to, so I'd recommend taking your car to a coin-up and giving it a thorough rinse at the very least. You could use a touchless, but stay away from soft cloth car washes. Also, with a dirty surface, if someone brushes against your car, you have a higher risk of getting fine scratches in the clearcoat.

[danns]

Which Collinite did you use?

You will risk having contaminants embed themselves into the clearcoat. It is something to attend to, so I'd recommend taking your car to a coin-up and giving it a thorough rinse at the very least. You could use a touchless, but stay away from soft cloth car washes. Also, with a dirty surface, if someone brushes against your car, you have a higher risk of getting fine scratches in the clearcoat.

476s. IIRC I think I even did two layers to make sure it lasts the whole winter.

[JAGpilot]

I washed it yesterday at the coin op, just pressure-washed. Usually I do it once every 2-3 weeks in the winter. I can't wait to have a chance/the weather to wash it by hand. www.autopia.org has taught me a lot about car care (and how anal some people can be with their cars).

[trader1234]

I have so much crap on my car because of the winter. Damn salt in this country=rust!!!

[White Comet]

lol, haven't washed it in like 2 months -_-, washed it today and still a layer of dirt there

[JAGpilot]

Where can I buy Collinite? CT and Walmart don't have it and they're the only place I know which carries detail stuff.

[gherikill]

It is supposed to rain in a couple of days, so just hold off.

[robyyz]

I've always wondered what's best for the car. The way I figure if you wash in the winter don't you turn the salt on the surface into a liquid form that gets into the crevices of your car more easily? Also once this liquid gets in won't it freeze in tight areas and cause them to open up (like the bottom weld of doors and fender panels) and cause damage to welds. I don't wash my car over the winter months. I rely on the waxings from the previous summer to protect the paint through the winter. Come spring time I remove the old wax and build up another layer for the coming winter. Don't forget to give your car a thorough rinse in the spring to get rid of as much salt as possible that hide in the crevices.

[don_lee103]

Chemical reaction won't start to occur until temp hits above 0. I only go for a touchless wash in winter.

[crunked]

I just tried those manual coin car wash for the first time earlier today and i wasn't impressed....way too much work lol. Touchless only from now on. hehe

[fidog]

476s. IIRC I think I even did two layers to make sure it lasts the whole winter.

I heard Collinite is really good and if you applied two coats, you're all set.

I also read that when it gets damp, that's when salt causes damage. During winter I use Optimum No-Rinse Car Wash inside the garage.

Where did you get the Collinite? I even asked someone in the US to find me a bottle but no dice. I'd rather not order it online.

[bembol]

Enough that you can't even tell that your car has been Keyed!!!!

[stuntman]

Washing your car when it is freezing outside is bad. The water will get into cracks and crevices, freeze and expand. Get your engine wet is another set of problems when it is cold.

I let the rain wash my silver car for years and was happy with the results, it looked great. Then again I really did not pay too much attention to making my car look sweet.

sm