Dirtiest Car Contest thread

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[timmo]

I don't winter my car anymore so it usually doesn't get too filthy. But here are some highlights, both from my road trip from Toronto to SF Bay Area in 2017:

Car got a bit dirty after crossing over the mountains from Colorado to Utah (IIRC it was a swing from freezing with a bit of slush and snow, to +20C within a day or two of driving since it was in April):



And of course, all the bugs:


EDIT: Actually I forgot, last year I did go drifting in the rain a bit so of course all the standing water got splashed up:

[DropTopKingM3]

For those in snowy climates, have you ever considered ceramic coating? Im sure it can help prevent damage from salt and calcium.

[timmo]

For those in snowy climates, have you ever considered ceramic coating? Im sure it can help prevent damage from salt and calcium.

Hmmm. Ceramic coatings are applied to the surfaces that you can see, which are the last to rust. Common rust spots for our cars are the rear inner arches (which spread to the outside if it's really bad), the 4 jacking points, and the rocker panel where it meets the front fender - none of these are areas where a detailer would typically apply coatings

[DropTopKingM3]

Hmmm. Ceramic coatings are applied to the surfaces that you can see, which are the last to rust. Common rust spots for our cars are the rear inner arches (which spread to the outside if it's really bad), the 4 jacking points, and the rocker panel where it meets the front fender - none of these are areas where a detailer would typically apply coatings

Correct. But salt can have a significant negative impact on paint and clearcoat over time.

[FBloggs]

For those in snowy climates, have you ever considered ceramic coating? Im sure it can help prevent damage from salt and calcium.

The front and rear fenders have seams on the inside of the arches, that trap debris...Really rust prone in those areas.

[Inizes]

Correct. But salt can have a significant negative impact on paint and clearcoat over time.

Paints the last to go honestly. What really starts to screw your over is the underbody of the car and the rear quarters. Every bolt you see will rust and become a pain to remove. The fenders get cancer and then it’s just time until the paint bubbles. So basically a ceramic coating wouldn’t do you much help because most of the damage occurs under the car. I have seen some spray on oil solutions that could help.

[Nuclear Rabbit]

[liam821]

Nuclear Rabbit that's a pretty impressively dirty car.

[yhp2009]

Snowday 2021, not the dirtiest but this is as "dirty" as its got in awhile

[maw1124]

Damn... people actually drive their whips in the snow?!?! What tires y’all running? I have a whole ‘nother car for that shit... and it ain’t really dirty... my M is probably more dusty in storage... I’m inspired!

maw

[yhp2009]

Running Goodyear all season F1 asymmetric. No problems in the snow
I usually put the expensive cover on when it snows but then i remembered this thread exists

[Flat-Six]

Need to get some pics, been putting 1000 miles a week on it. Stays dirty on the outside.

[FBloggs]

I'm running some kumho ditchfinder no-seasons.
They are quite good in 1/4" or less fresh snow.. but 275 rears is not optimal.
I use an E36 for real snow.

[t3ddftw]

I was worried my 3 days of salt would cause rust. Luckily I escaped rust free.

I die a little inside every time I park our salty family car next to the garaged M3. I gotta get the hell out of Ohio