Solution for BE washing in cold weather

When it's too cold for me to clean it myself I usually take it to the Laserwash (especially for salt underneath), that or I take it to a DIY car wash and just use the Spot-Free Rinse. I haven't had issues with the white residue on the exterior trim except when waxing. I plan on waxing mine every 3 months as weather permits, if I don't have much time I use the spray wax or Quik Detailer my Meguier's (sp?). I try to wash mine once a week. I do have a Lunar Silver RT though but I HATE a dirty ride so wash it often. I took it to a brush car wash once, it was very stressful worrying about scratches as I was in there. That was a mistake, I don't think I got any/much damage from it though. I do live in NC so our winters don't get too too cold for an extended period of time.

Bottom line: a laser wash with spot free rinse option is what I use, that or a DIY and just rinse with spot free water until I can clean it myself.

There's talk about getting an Opti-Coat or something similar put on the vehicle, it can be pricey but after that you basically just rinse the dirt/grime/salt off from then on. I probably should've went that route from the get-go.

Touch less washes use harsher chemicals to make them effective. This can strip your wax.

I have used ONR no rinse wash with good results. It doesnt foam up much, but is very slick. It can also be mixed down to use as clay bar lubricant.

You use a lukewarm bucket of water and mix in ONR. Then use your wash mit and wash one section at a time. Dry each section as you go. No rinsing. This stuff really pulls the dirt into the mit, so it will get dirty. Use multiple mits to prevent swirls. I still use two bucket method to rinse my mit only.

It really does work well, and seems very good at not causing swirls. So, ideal is to use soap foamer and two bucket wash in summer and then no rinse wash in winter. I find this to be the least "evil" of the available options in the winter... (Auto Wash, Touchless wash, etc). Do not use warm or hot water if it is really cold out. It can crack paint I have heard... but I have not had any issues in the last couple of years with lukewarm water on a cold vehicle.

Edit: My truck is white... so I took it through an auto wash. I'm trying to loose my OCD about detailing vehicles. However, I used the no rinse method on it once, but started using ONR on my Dark Blue Camaro SS Convertible in '13. That was when my OCD was in full force!

Keep it simple.

Do to your environment, resources available to you, and desire to keep it clean.

You need to start from a clean slate. Needs cleaned well, by hand. So whatever you feel like committing the time money to, as others have stated....microfiber mit, dual buckets, foam cannon, good car wash etc. Do that. You really do not need tire cleaners and wheel cleaners. They're more trouble than they're worth. They can ruin finishes quickly if not used or rinsed properly, especially on hot wheel/tires/brakes.

Black shows everything. It's most relate-able to a mirror. Even professionally done by a detailer (that truly knows what they're doing) a black car will look dirty in ~15 min from dust alone (I will never own one).

That being said. Drying the car needs attention to detail. Using just a hose to rinse from the top-down sheets the water off with minimal beading. Depending on water you have... Dries itself almost. Need a proper microfiber towel. Needs to be clean. You drop a towel. Get a new, clean towel.

Once the vehicle is truly clean. Go through an automatic touchless wash that air dries it, once a week in the winter months ($8-12). Dirt/oil attracts dirt/oil. Getting that removed each week will keep it looking clean with ease. Not to mention: fight corrosion. Keep the rubber seals supple (dirt dries them out. Keeps plastic from drying out (dirt again dries plastic). ***Go to a wash that sprays the undercarriage as you drive in...so go slowly and let is spray the undercarriage as much as possible. ***Go to one that air dries it (no need for unknown towel being rubbed all over the paint... creating swirls scratched etc... making your car look worse each time). If the air dryer is good it will get rid of the water the creates the marks you were speaking of (drying ability makes or breaks a good touchless wash, again water attrack dirt). The wash I use is great ($48 for 5 washes).

If it's minor splashes on the vehicle and/or really filthy I use the $2.50 hand-wand to keep it clean or prewash it.

That's just basics.

More or less a hand wash/dry is ~1 hr....that's pre-rinse. Wash. Rinse. Wheel well and tire/wheel wash. Dry car. Clean door jams. DONE