How to wash in the cold

If you’re not going to get an undercoating, take it to a car wash every week or two and spray off the undercarriage.

Also live in Connecticut (central CT).

I just go to a local self-service car wash when it's above freezing... bring my own buckets/soaps/wash mitts/etc. and clean the Bronco with it. To keep the digits warm, I have a insulated diving glove that I wear when the temperature is below ~45 degrees or so.

I don't bother with any of their soaps/rinse agents/etc. It stays on the "high-pressure" and I also ensure to spray the undercarriage really well due to the salt.

During the average winter I've had to go to a car wash every 2 weeks or so, but as you noted this winter has been fairly warm and without snow, and I think I've only washed it twice this winter so far.

I've been through a touchless wash with under carriage wash, blow dry, and finished off with a courtesy towel dry, several times this winter. Super funky with a soft top as the jets clean the top..lol. Have had no issues with leaks either.

RagnarKon

Also live in Connecticut (central CT).

I just go to a local self-service car wash when it's above freezing... bring my own buckets/soaps/wash mitts/etc. and clean the Bronco with it. To keep the digits warm, I have a insulated diving glove that I wear when the temperature is below ~45 degrees or so.

I don't bother with any of their soaps/rinse agents/etc. It stays on the "high-pressure" and I also ensure to spray the undercarriage really well due to the salt.

During the average winter I've had to go to a car wash every 2 weeks or so, but as you noted this winter has been fairly warm and without snow, and I think I've only washed it twice this winter so far.

That’s what I ended up doing. Only issue w/that is that I live in Ridgefield & had to drive up to the only one closest to me which is in New Milford. Not terribly far but it’s still a bit out of the way. What kind of soap do you use?

Sulley

If you’re not going to get an undercoating, take it to a car wash every week or two and spray off the undercarriage.

You know, I did ask the dealer about that. He said that’s not really done anymore. Since this is my first new car in like 30+ years I just believed him. Do you recommend getting that done? If so, is there one brand that’s better than the other? Ziebart is the first that comes to mind.

Rottigrrl

You know, I did ask the dealer about that. He said that’s not really done anymore. Since this is my first new car in like 30+ years I just believed him. Do you recommend getting that done? If so, is there one brand that’s better than the other? Ziebart is the first that comes to mind.

I wouldn't recommend anything the dealer offers; find a FluidFilm or WoolWax dealer in your area. The stuff is excellent, and conditions/protects the steel well. Shouldn't cost you more than a few hundred bucks annually. You can buy cans off of Amazon, but you have to be super careful with it, as it causes rubber to swell up and probably doesn't taste very good either. It comes off with warm soap and water. Unlike asphalt undercoatings, it doesn't chip or crack and stays pretty tar-like.

Sulley

I wouldn't recommend anything the dealer offers; find a FluidFilm or WoolWax dealer in your area. The stuff is excellent, and conditions/protects the steel well. Shouldn't cost you more than a few hundred bucks annually. You can buy cans off of Amazon, but you have to be super careful with it, as it causes rubber to swell up and probably doesn't taste very good either. It comes off with warm soap and water. Unlike asphalt undercoatings, it doesn't chip or crack and stays pretty tar-like.

Great advice! Thank you, Sulley!

Rottigrrl

That’s what I ended up doing. Only issue w/that is that I live in Ridgefield & had to drive up to the only one closest to me which is in New Milford. Not terribly far but it’s still a bit out of the way. What kind of soap do you use?

My go-to car care products are Adam's Polishes and Gold Eagle's 303 line. But I don't necessarily lock myself into those products if there is something halfway decent on-sale. Today, for example, I was washing my Bronco after this weekend's snow (and salt), and I used some Turtle Wax soap.

The underbody coatings that @Sulley mentioned are also good. One product that is really popular in our neck of the woods is NHOU. That said, I personally have not gotten my Bronco coated yet, and not sure I will—think I may stick to regular washing. But haven't fully decided yet.

RagnarKon

My go-to car care products are Adam's Polishes and Gold Eagle's 303 line. But I don't necessarily lock myself into those products if there is something halfway decent on-sale. Today, for example, I was washing my Bronco after this weekend's snow (and salt), and I used some Turtle Wax soap.

The underbody coatings that @Sulley mentioned are also good. One product that is really popular in our neck of the woods is NHOU. That said, I personally have not gotten my Bronco coated yet, and not sure I will—think I may stick to regular washing. But haven't fully decided yet.

Concur on Adam's Polishes. Always a good product.

RagnarKon

My go-to car care products are Adam's Polishes and Gold Eagle's 303 line. But I don't necessarily lock myself into those products if there is something halfway decent on-sale. Today, for example, I was washing my Bronco after this weekend's snow (and salt), and I used some Turtle Wax soap.

The underbody coatings that @Sulley mentioned are also good. One product that is really popular in our neck of the woods is NHOU. That said, I personally have not gotten my Bronco coated yet, and not sure I will—think I may stick to regular washing. But haven't fully decided yet.

Good to know. Do you guys have any opinion on the ‘recommended’ Motorcraft cleaners/polishes or is that simply just Ford hype?

Rottigrrl

Good to know. Do you guys have any opinion on the ‘recommended’ Motorcraft cleaners/polishes or is that simply just Ford hype?

Motorcraft stuff is generally pretty good, but it's hard to find it. The vast majority of it isn't sold in stores, so the only place you can really get it from is dealers.

Most dealers will stock fluids (engine oil, trans fluid, etc.), but they don't stock cleaning supplies. So it becomes a special order sorta thing, and it's usually not cost or time effective.

I go to the self service car wash, select "wax" and spray the hell out of the undercarriage. at full high pressure...

RagnarKon

Motorcraft stuff is generally pretty good, but it's hard to find it. The vast majority of it isn't sold in stores, so the only place you can really get it from is dealers.

Most dealers will stock fluids (engine oil, trans fluid, etc.), but they don't stock cleaning supplies. So it becomes a special order sorta thing, and it's usually not cost or time effective.

Thanks!

Rottigrrl

Good afternoon! New member and new OB owner here. Just got it 2 weeks ago. I live in CT, specifically in a Fairfield County town that borders Westchester County in New York State. If you're not familiar with the northeast, we usually get snowy weather but not so much this year. Yesterday we had light snow and we're expected to get a mix of precipitation tomorrow. The reason for the weather report is because of my concern about salt on the roads and how to care for a Bronco with a soft top. It's a bit too cold to use the hose on it today to rinse off the salt. I was wondering if anyone has gone through a completely touchless car wash or if that's even advisable. Would love anyone's suggestions. Thanks!

Shout out to Fairfield CT - nice university there ;-)
Thanks to all the posters for the product recommendations - some new ones in there for me.

Rottigrrl

Good afternoon! New member and new OB owner here. Just got it 2 weeks ago. I live in CT, specifically in a Fairfield County town that borders Westchester County in New York State. If you're not familiar with the northeast, we usually get snowy weather but not so much this year. Yesterday we had light snow and we're expected to get a mix of precipitation tomorrow. The reason for the weather report is because of my concern about salt on the roads and how to care for a Bronco with a soft top. It's a bit too cold to use the hose on it today to rinse off the salt. I was wondering if anyone has gone through a completely touchless car wash or if that's even advisable. Would love anyone's suggestions. Thanks!

2022 badlands with soft top in alaska. I go thru the touch less car wash frequently. No problems other than it is no match for the heavy dirt, mud, grit, and crud that's always on my poor bronco.

Has anyone in the north had issues with their windows freezing and not being able to open the doors?

smithfarm2014

Has anyone in the north had issues with their windows freezing and not being able to open the doors?

Yuuup!!

Granted I have that problem on all of my cars, not a Bronco-specific issue. BUT, it's a bigger issue on the Bronco because of the frameless doors. It usually happens when its raining just above freezing during the day, and it drops down below freezing at night. If the forecast calls for a "wintery mix" I know I'm in for annoying morning the next day.

My go-to fix for frozen windows is the iOpener from iFixit. It's actual purpose to soften the glue on smartphone/tablet screens for repairs, but also does a good job with frozen windows. You can also use a heat gun or even a plumber's butane torch. But... just from personal experience I can tell you the typical morning impatience, frustration and cold fingers often leads to cracked glass if you use too much heat too quickly... so... danger Will Robinson.

Spray all of your weatherstrips with silicone spray and wipe off the drips - preferably before cold weather sets in but it can be done any time. I used to work in a VW/Audi/Porsche dealership in Colorado and that was standard procedure with any service done, and ALWAYS at the PDI. I never saw one come in with a torn weatherstrip so it must work.

Rottigrrl

Good afternoon! New member and new OB owner here. Just got it 2 weeks ago. I live in CT, specifically in a Fairfield County town that borders Westchester County in New York State. If you're not familiar with the northeast, we usually get snowy weather but not so much this year. Yesterday we had light snow and we're expected to get a mix of precipitation tomorrow. The reason for the weather report is because of my concern about salt on the roads and how to care for a Bronco with a soft top. It's a bit too cold to use the hose on it today to rinse off the salt. I was wondering if anyone has gone through a completely touchless car wash or if that's even advisable. Would love anyone's suggestions. Thanks!

I don't have a soft top, so I'm not sure how much assist I can be. However I am up here in Maine and I am running through the car wash at least once a week. The only issue I have is my rockslider steps don't do well still in the cold or after a good rain. They are supposed to be water tight. But am finding out not so much. Gonna wait till summer to trouble shoot till then I have shut them off all together gor the time being. But that is the only issue.
I predicted as much as I could and had the dealership spray the undercarriage as well as I pur protective coating over the whole body before this winter hit so. Not sure any of this info helps you. But there is my 2 cents!