You know that very sticky, sandy dust which builds up especially on the trunk lid and rear bumper in winter.

I was wondering how to clean that strong layer without scratching the paint. It is so sandy and sticky that it doesn't really go off with a pressure of water, neither you can easily "paint" on it with your finger. I tried to gently paint over it with my finger on the bumper, but barely 1/3 of the layer went off.

A mitt or sponge would probably do some paint disasters.

How do you clean that winter dust?

(I have a jet black color so scratches are very visible.)

 

Wash mitt and two buckets - or perhaps an optimum no rinse wash should do the trick.

 

Steam wash!

 

When its cold outside, I connect the water hose to the spicket on the hot water heater and wash the car with hot water. It helps keep me warm during the process. It would think you need to do something along those lines...use hot water. It should disolve any salt or other road chemicals. You could also go to one of those wash-it-yourself places that have the pressure washers...those use hot water.

 

sponging the dirt off will create swirl marks.

pre-soak the car in a diluted solution of simple green, then hose or pressure wash off.

 

1) Solvent spray or similar --> Rinse
2) Bilt-Hamber Autofoam or some another strong foam (used with a foam lance + power washer) --> Rinse
3) Two bucket method + sheepskin mitt wash --> Rinse
4) Careful dry -->

A power washer is a must!

- Antti -

 

I'd use one of those foam sprayers and let the car sit in the shade, let it work in and then pressure wash it off. do it a couple times. best if you could do it in one of those coin operated car washes






Then take it home for a proper wash.



Look in the detailer's section

 

how much does one of those foam sprayers and pressure washers cost?

 

Foam lances are around 50 bucks and a decent power washer costs about 200-300$.

Foam lance:


...And Bilt-Hamber Autofoam is the best foam I know :

 

Maybe that power washer is just not strong enough?

Just today I removed 3 months' worth of winter dirt and salt from the rear of my car:
I used the power washer at the gas station - first the "shampoo" solution with warm/hot water, and then rinsed again under pressure with pure cold water. All came off without problems.
Of course you still have some dirt stick on the paint but these are really fine particles. The large particles are the first to fall off when using a pressure washer.