Clearing snow off your car?

[09Accord]

Since not all of us are lucky enough to park their car in a garage at night, I was wondering how everyone goes about clearing the snow off their. I use one of those brushes that has the stiff bristles. This morning when I was clearing snow off the car, I was wondering how much damage I was doing to the paint, if any.

Basically the questions are:
1) What damage am I doing to the paint with that type of brush ( I try not to push the brush hard into the paint, but hard enough to get snow off the car)

2) What do you use to clear snow off the car that is better.

PS this is a DD.

[sleepy]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

You may have answered your own question. It would depend on how hard you are pushing with your brushes. I have seen on here that people use ice scrappers. Not a good idea. Unless you are using it on your windshield. I use the brushes on the windshield and then use my hand, with gloves on of course, to wipe off the rest of the snow on the car.

[AndrewR/T]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

Be sure to leave 1/4'' to 1/2'' inch or snow on the surface of the paint. Don't let the brush touch the finish or it could destroy it (depending on brush and how soft your clear coat is)

[CWM3]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

I try to be as careful as possible but have come to realize that, after winter, I will be compounding/cleaning my paint. Invariably my paint gets scratched.

[09Accord]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

Gloves are a good idea. As for leaving some snow on top of your car, I really dislike the people that drive infront of you on the highway and have all the snow on the top of the car that they didn't clean off blowing back in your face. I try not to be that guy.

I try not to press too hard, just enough to get snow off the car.

I am surprised that there is not a better product to get this done, well better than a gloved hand... and long arms.

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

dump a gallon of hot water on the roof

[09Accord]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

dump a gallon of hot water on the roof

I actually heard it works better if you dump it straight onto the windshield

[Ryan331]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

When I lived in NJ, I kept a car wash brush handy for brushing snow off the car, the bristles are a lot softer/less likely to damage the paint... The bristles were soft, but it actually worked quite well - except on the heaviest/icy snow

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

I actually heard it works better if you dump it straight onto the windshield

lol im being serious..it works. i take one of my 5 gallon buckets..fill it up with nice warm water..dump it on the roof and the water goes forward, backward, and down the sides..it works

[Megafast13]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

First things first:

-Turn On Your Heater, Windshield Defroster, and Rear Window Defroster

-Use Brush and Ice Scrapper on your windows if you have too.
*Don't come in contact with any other portion of your vehicle.
-You can lightly brush the snow of the hood, bumper, and other body parts, but leave about 1 inch of snow on the surface as a barrier so you don't scratch your paint.

The brushes are unbelievably cheap, ruff, and can scratch/swirl very easily.
The 1 inch or so remaining will melt and blow off your vehicle.

If you have "De-Icer" windshield fluid it also works. The only issue is that these can be harsh on the paint and strip wax.
Hot water also is a quick fix. But if you are in a really cold area, it will simply refreeze.
My favorite option now is to use my Leaf Blower.
I have found that it is THE best option for removing snow on all surfaces.
If you have one try it.

[tcope1]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

lol im being serious..it works. i take one of my 5 gallon buckets..fill it up with nice warm water..dump it on the roof and the water goes forward, backward, and down the sides..it works

If the water was not ho enough it would end up freezing (snow and the cold metal is going to cool it quickly). if it's hot enough not to freeze then it's probably going to remove all the LSP on the vehicle.

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

If the water was not ho enough it would end up freezing (snow and the cold metal is going to cool it quickly). if it's hot enough not to freeze then it's probably going to remove all the LSP on the vehicle.

hahaha i know i know..i only use warm water where sometimes there is ice...but i only use that option where it snowed overnight and during the daytime it is rather warm so the water doesnt freeze on the driveway...my favorite method is using my electric leafblower..gets even hard snow off my car instantly

[kimchiyuk]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

What I do when I know at least a few inches is coming, is clean the flat areas, obviously where the snow will accumulate, which seems to minimize scratching due to the snow sliding over the dirt. NXT 2.0, followed up with some UQW, if it has been awhile since waxing, provides an incredible slick finish so the snow slides off easily. I NEVER use a brush on my vehicles. I work at a dealership, and the prep guy uses one of those "snow brooms", which are a styrofoam square with a handle, and they still scratch.

[Blueline]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

There are snow brushes in Canada that are so soft they will not make a mark. I forget were I bought mine, but if my brain comes back, I will post the site. Like someone posted, I do not like those idiots who leave snow on their car to blow all over me on the Interstate. Most of those people are just lazy, and not interested in their paint. I do like another posters idea of a leaf blower, however I think my neighbors would get slightly irritated listening to that at 5am.

[09Accord]

Re: Clearing snow off your car?

The leaf blower sounds like a decent idea if I had one, no real need for a leaf blower when you live in an apartment building. As for the warm water, does that really remove the snow when you have inches of it on your car? I have heard horror stories of people dumping warm water on their cold windshield and the warm water changing the temperature so quickly that the windshield cracks. Never tried it myself.

In terms of ways to remove the snow without a leaf blower, we know of something that doesn't have a name. Maybe move somewhere where there is no snow.