cleaning during a Phoenix summer... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

69Tom · 07-08-2013, 04:15 PM

As I just recently purchased my Camaro, I haven't had to deal with this--i would just take my other cars to a car wash during the summer months. As I have no intention on doing this at all with my car, I find myself loathing washing my car. Not because I hate doing it--that's not the case at all. It's just because, no matter what time of morning or evening, the water just dries so quickly, it's so easily to water spot/stain it, especially the wheels.

So, my question is, what are those of you in Phoenix or Tucson doing to keep it clean? These monsoons are blowing around so much dust, it's really difficult, even with it garaged at night (it will soon be covered at work all day once the cover comes in). Sadly, I don't have enough garage space to pull it in once washed to dry it.

SS One · 07-08-2013, 07:14 PM

I live in Vegas so am in a similar situation. I wash my car every weekend....start at about 6:30 am. I have my hose connected to the water softener, so provided that the car and the water is cool, (as cool as it can be when its 90 degrees at 6:30 in the morning), I rarely have spotting issues. Usually finish up with detail spray just in case. I usually get done within two hours.

SmokiNstripes6913 · 07-08-2013, 08:01 PM

Try to find an area that offers the most shade possible to wash it, finishing with a light, gentle stream to get the majority of the water off. Start drying the area that is receiving the most sun first as it will etch the water marks into the paint faster. Finish with the detailer spray if desirable.

Chevrolet Customer Svc · 07-08-2013, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69Tom

As I just recently purchased my Camaro, I haven't had to deal with this--i would just take my other cars to a car wash during the summer months. As I have no intention on doing this at all with my car, I find myself loathing washing my car. Not because I hate doing it--that's not the case at all. It's just because, no matter what time of morning or evening, the water just dries so quickly, it's so easily to water spot/stain it, especially the wheels.

So, my question is, what are those of you in Phoenix or Tucson doing to keep it clean? These monsoons are blowing around so much dust, it's really difficult, even with it garaged at night (it will soon be covered at work all day once the cover comes in). Sadly, I don't have enough garage space to pull it in once washed to dry it.

Congratulations 69Tom!

How have you been enjoying it so far?

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

69Tom · 07-09-2013, 01:26 PM

Thanks guys.

Thanks! I'm loving it. The handling, the power, the sound. It's all great. And it looks fantastic on top of it all.

CHMSC · 07-09-2013, 02:40 PM

I live in the SoCal desert and its brutally hot just like where you are. Try and wash it at night or early in the morning. That's what I do.

69Tom · 07-09-2013, 03:19 PM

Yeah, I tried, but apparently 6:30am wasn't early enough. Haha. At least we never have to change wheels/tires or worry about rust, right? At least that's what I keep telling myself.... I might have to get up extra early--5:30 or so. So much for sleeping in on the weekends!! Oh well, there are worse problems to have....

ihaveacamaro · 07-09-2013, 03:22 PM

If you're planning to stay in the same house for a long time, maybe think about the cost of a drain. It will be crazy expensive, but depending on how often you plan on washing your car and how long you plan on staying in your place, it may be worth considering. Heat will always be a problem unfortunately.

69Tom · 07-09-2013, 03:26 PM

Yep, sure will. My family has been out here 24 years now. I've moved around a bit, but moved back home after 8 years in NYC as a family member is sick. So, I have a bunch of my stuff cluttering the garage (mainly from a restoration project that I'm seriously considering selling off now that I have my 1LE--if I had only known prior to how nice and fun it'd be to drive....). So I'm sort of hurting myself. I just need to start getting rid of things and free up some garage space. That way at least I could pull it out of any direct sun light, no matter how early in the the AM it is.

CHMSC · 07-09-2013, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69Tom

Yeah, I tried, but apparently 6:30am wasn't early enough. Haha. At least we never have to change wheels/tires or worry about rust, right? At least that's what I keep telling myself.... I might have to get up extra early--5:30 or so. So much for sleeping in on the weekends!! Oh well, there are worse problems to have....

Ya lol last weekend before a car show I was up at 5 am cleaning my car before sun rise.

07-08-2013, 04:15 PM	#1
69Tom Drives: 2013 Camaro 1LE 1SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 146	cleaning during a Phoenix summer... As I just recently purchased my Camaro, I haven't had to deal with this--i would just take my other cars to a car wash during the summer months. As I have no intention on doing this at all with my car, I find myself loathing washing my car. Not because I hate doing it--that's not the case at all. It's just because, no matter what time of morning or evening, the water just dries so quickly, it's so easily to water spot/stain it, especially the wheels. So, my question is, what are those of you in Phoenix or Tucson doing to keep it clean? These monsoons are blowing around so much dust, it's really difficult, even with it garaged at night (it will soon be covered at work all day once the cover comes in). Sadly, I don't have enough garage space to pull it in once washed to dry it.

07-08-2013, 07:14 PM	#2
SS One Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 109	I live in Vegas so am in a similar situation. I wash my car every weekend....start at about 6:30 am. I have my hose connected to the water softener, so provided that the car and the water is cool, (as cool as it can be when its 90 degrees at 6:30 in the morning), I rarely have spotting issues. Usually finish up with detail spray just in case. I usually get done within two hours. Last edited by SS One; 07-08-2013 at 07:31 PM.

07-09-2013, 02:40 PM	#6
CHMSC ROAD COURSE JUNKIE Drives: 2012 SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Somewhere Posts: 4,868 View My Garage	I live in the SoCal desert and its brutally hot just like where you are. Try and wash it at night or early in the morning. That's what I do. __________________

07-09-2013, 03:22 PM	#8
ihaveacamaro I like teeth. Drives: #198 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 4,817	If you're planning to stay in the same house for a long time, maybe think about the cost of a drain. It will be crazy expensive, but depending on how often you plan on washing your car and how long you plan on staying in your place, it may be worth considering. Heat will always be a problem unfortunately. __________________ . Please check out my youtube detailing channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/roshan517 "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful."

07-08-2013, 08:01 PM	#3
SmokiNstripes6913 Drives: 2013 Camaro 1LS Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 143 View My Garage	Try to find an area that offers the most shade possible to wash it, finishing with a light, gentle stream to get the majority of the water off. Start drying the area that is receiving the most sun first as it will etch the water marks into the paint faster. Finish with the detailer spray if desirable.

07-09-2013, 01:26 PM	#5
69Tom Drives: 2013 Camaro 1LE 1SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 146	Thanks guys. Thanks! I'm loving it. The handling, the power, the sound. It's all great. And it looks fantastic on top of it all.

07-09-2013, 03:19 PM	#7
69Tom Drives: 2013 Camaro 1LE 1SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 146	Yeah, I tried, but apparently 6:30am wasn't early enough. Haha. At least we never have to change wheels/tires or worry about rust, right? At least that's what I keep telling myself.... I might have to get up extra early--5:30 or so. So much for sleeping in on the weekends!! Oh well, there are worse problems to have....

07-09-2013, 03:26 PM	#9
69Tom Drives: 2013 Camaro 1LE 1SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 146	Yep, sure will. My family has been out here 24 years now. I've moved around a bit, but moved back home after 8 years in NYC as a family member is sick. So, I have a bunch of my stuff cluttering the garage (mainly from a restoration project that I'm seriously considering selling off now that I have my 1LE--if I had only known prior to how nice and fun it'd be to drive....). So I'm sort of hurting myself. I just need to start getting rid of things and free up some garage space. That way at least I could pull it out of any direct sun light, no matter how early in the the AM it is.