Winter Waxing

[Jeff Smith]

I have never tried to wax in winter. I am without a garage and have been putting some thought into car care for the winter months.

I think I have the washing part down and have a plan of attack on that.

I am considering the waxing part now and was wondering if there might be any tips or lessons learned from some others who have done this before.

A few specific questions might be:
What is the coldest temp one can wax in and not have product apllication issues?

Are there any waxes that apply better in colder temps?

Same questions as above for Quick Detailers.

It would be nice to plan ahead and look for those windows of opportunity this winter with a working knowledge of minimum temps and recommended products to use

[rusty bumper]

I am considering the waxing part now and was wondering if there might be any tips or lessons learned from some others who have done this before.

See 2hotford for the details.

He is MOL's cold weather waxing specialist.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
See 2hotford for the details.

He is MOL's cold weather waxing specialist.

Thanks. I am sure he'll chime in here then

[Alex7938]

i'd say about 5 deg C is about the lowest, you have to take into consideration the moisture in the air as well.

i'm planing on claying, #80 maybe #83 if it needs it, 2x #21 followed by 2x #16 on October 20th onwards as this is the last time i'll be able to spend 4 days on the car. then washing once a month( unless its really salty) and a spray of QD.

the only downside is that i feel really guilty when the car is dirty as i have a nice Meguiars Decal in the window

[Ranger72]

I apply nxt some time in December in preparation for the winter. If there happens to be a warmer day (in the 40's) I will apply some NXT regardless if I had only applied it a week or so ago due to the fact that I know how nasty the winter can/ will be. When I wash the truck and its very cold out, I will try to use some spray wax, I found that the original quik wax sets up faster so I tend to use that.

[Ranger72]

also, another good tip, since I have a white truck (like yourself) when its bitterly cold, I will only quik wax (after washing completey) from fenders foward one week, the cab of my truck the next, the bed after that. Since its white, you really dont notice shine differences, since as long as white paint is minatained, its shine is just that a shine. lol

[Murr1525]

I have good luck with the Consumer Cleaner Wax in cooler temperatures. Not sure how cold.. but on the 'warmer' winter days.

[Tim Lingor]

Hi Jeff,

Cold weather waxing...yep...it can be done!!! Ideally, waxes, compounds etc work better around room temperatre, but it can be done in the cold as well!!!

So far, the coldest I have detailed at is -14*C (4*F) which is downright cold! I have used #20 Polymer Sealant at this temp and never had any issues.

Using compounds/polishes sometimes become an issue as they can start to gum up on the buffing pad. If using a rotary buffer, the pad will start to grab and induce rotary hop. So, if the temperatures are below freezing, I would suggest avoid doing paint correction.

Using a QD becomes a problem as it tends to form a thin layer of frost when the mist hits the cold metal. So, if you are doing a final wipe down after washing, QD one small area at a time. My favorite cold weather QD is #34 Final Inspection. The other QD's like Last Touch etc also work but can cause streaking in cold temperatures. Hence the reason I stick with the #34 for winter use.

For tires, I tend to prefer liquid applied products like Meguiar's All Season Dressing (my personal favorite! ). Aerosol foams tend to frost on the tire. It is like wiping ice off the tires! If you must use an aerosol, then drive the car around for a bit until the tires have warmed up some, then apply the foam tire spray.

Finally, the biggest caveat that I can mention is make absolutely sure there is no dirt or sand from the winter roads on the paint after washing. Thoroughly wash the wheel wells as any hidden dirt may vibrate onto the paint when using a buffer thereby instilling scrtaches/swirls etc....

I hope this helps!

Tim

[gtp]

Re: Winter Waxing

Originally posted by j333_76484

I think I have the washing part down and have a plan of attack on that.

Whats your plan of attack? Prep-Work is just as important as LSP

[Snowman]

one thing that I have found with waxing a vehicle in cold temperatures is that it is harder to get off and takes some serious buffing effort to get the finish nice and clear without a haze because the moisture really makes it harder to do the job and not have a sort of "fog" left on the vehicle surface. So just really wipe numerous times when taking off the wax to make sure the finish is clear and smooth.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by Alex7938
i'd say about 5 deg C is about the lowest, you have to take into consideration the moisture in the air as well.

i'm planing on claying, #80 maybe #83 if it needs it, 2x #21 followed by 2x #16 on October 20th onwards as this is the last time i'll be able to spend 4 days on the car. then washing once a month( unless its really salty) and a spray of QD.

the only downside is that i feel really guilty when the car is dirty as i have a nice Meguiars Decal in the window

I just finished the 5 step on it last week so I am good there for a while. I have one caot of #20 on it and hope to get another on tomorrow. So my pre-winter prep work is well in hand.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by Ranger72
I apply nxt some time in December in preparation for the winter. If there happens to be a warmer day (in the 40's) I will apply some NXT regardless if I had only applied it a week or so ago due to the fact that I know how nasty the winter can/ will be. When I wash the truck and its very cold out, I will try to use some spray wax, I found that the original quik wax sets up faster so I tend to use that.

understand all. I plan on topping my #20 with #21 soon. I understand this is somewhat of a little bit oless of a high maintenance LSP as opposed to the NXT. NXT is great but I find I really have to keep on top of it for the look.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by Ranger72
also, another good tip, since I have a white truck (like yourself) when its bitterly cold, I will only quik wax (after washing completey) from fenders foward one week, the cab of my truck the next, the bed after that. Since its white, you really dont notice shine differences, since as long as white paint is minatained, its shine is just that a shine. lol

Understand. I have done similar and will do the same if needed. I currently have a couple of folks who have garages lined up who I have invited over and volunteered to Pre-Winterize their cars in hopes of utilizing their garage on an as needed basis this winter. But I don't want to plan on that in case things fall though

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by Murr1525
I have good luck with the Consumer Cleaner Wax in cooler temperatures. Not sure how cold.. but on the 'warmer' winter days.

Yep, I had though about that. There might [ossibly be a need to use the cleaner waxes as the time between coats grows longer and longer and the salt damage starts to show. I already bought a couple of bottles of cleaner wax in prep for this.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hi Jeff,

Cold weather waxing...yep...it can be done!!! Ideally, waxes, compounds etc work better around room temperatre, but it can be done in the cold as well!!!

So far, the coldest I have detailed at is -14*C (4*F) which is downright cold! I have used #20 Polymer Sealant at this temp and never had any issues.

Using compounds/polishes sometimes become an issue as they can start to gum up on the buffing pad. If using a rotary buffer, the pad will start to grab and induce rotary hop. So, if the temperatures are below freezing, I would suggest avoid doing paint correction.

Using a QD becomes a problem as it tends to form a thin layer of frost when the mist hits the cold metal. So, if you are doing a final wipe down after washing, QD one small area at a time. My favorite cold weather QD is #34 Final Inspection. The other QD's like Last Touch etc also work but can cause streaking in cold temperatures. Hence the reason I stick with the #34 for winter use.

For tires, I tend to prefer liquid applied products like Meguiar's All Season Dressing (my personal favorite! ). Aerosol foams tend to frost on the tire. It is like wiping ice off the tires! If you must use an aerosol, then drive the car around for a bit until the tires have warmed up some, then apply the foam tire spray.

Finally, the biggest caveat that I can mention is make absolutely sure there is no dirt or sand from the winter roads on the paint after washing. Thoroughly wash the wheel wells as any hidden dirt may vibrate onto the paint when using a buffer thereby instilling scrtaches/swirls etc....

I hope this helps!

Tim

Great tips there Tim, Thanks alot. Looks like I have everything I need but FI. Will get on ordering a gallon of that.