Cold Weather Detailing

[jmitch8011]

It's starting to turn cold her in Missouri so I just wanted to get some ideas on how you all stay warm when detailing.

Do you use something to heat your water or just use warm water from in odors?

If there a safe device that can be used to warm your wash and rinse water?

Do you still hand wash or do you use a pole with a mit?

[Murr1525]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

I wash by hand, definately with warmer water from inside.

And you can also consider moving into the sun as it gets cooler.... it is only the surface temp that matters, not the sunlight. So as long as the surface is a reasonable temp, you can do everything in the sun.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

Use ONR with hot water and microfiber towels.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

When I lived in Oregon, during the cold weather I would make my car wash with warm water to keep my hands from freezing while washing our cars, especially the big one...

[BlueZero]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

ONR works great. Warm water is a must. I've thought about trying rubber gloves, at least your hands would stay dry. Now I have a heater in my garage so that works great.

[Deaner5]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

I usually grin and bear it until it starts hitting 40 or so then I will go to a self-serve car wash with my own bucket and mitt or MY brush (not their's). I now live in an apartment building and even in the winter it doesn't get too cold in the heated underground garage.

In the winter before my apartment, I would start a fire in our wood burning stove in our garage and melt all of the snow off and then go to the self-serve and quickly bring it home.

Another issue is drying. I notice as the temperature falls the water on the surface never really wants to be absorbed like it does when it is warmer outstide, so I use a little QD or UQD to let the water know who is boss.

I've tried warm water and it will help, but the water from the hose is cold so it didn't help me much. I used to have a pair of rubber gloves that went up to my elbows (thougher black ones that you can probably get at a hardware store) and those were nice if you use a mitt, as it will keep your hands dry and offer a little warmth. I use the Meguiar's brushes and don't really have too much contact with cold water anymore.

[Mr Mustang]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

This is the time when I love our weather, the lowest high's around here are about 40* or so. So I can pretty well wash winter round. In fact my car stays cleaner during the winter than during the summer, cuz I can't stand cleaning when I'm sweating buckets

[pwaug]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

I continue to hand wash with warm water as others have mentioned then go to ONR once it gets really cold. I use these gloves all winter long http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/...eoprene+Gloves They are made of the same material as diving suits and fit snuggly to the hands so you don't loose the ability to hold towels and wash mits properly.

[SD DIESEL]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

The glove rock!!!!

[jjbleds]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

I have A heated garage, but I prefer to wash out on the drive as long as I can. If the sun is out I can go down to 20f or so. Anyway, I have some ice fishing gloves that are waterproof that I use when it gets that cold. Your local sports shop should have some. Hands stay completely dry, until you go too far into the bucket!

[miahjohn]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

doesnt the drive way become ice? get yourself a buddy with a garage or go to a small used car lot and offer to clean a car or two in exchange to use that toasty warm shop to wash the car!

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

doesnt the drive way become ice? get yourself a buddy with a garage or go to a small used car lot and offer to clean a car or two in exchange to use that toasty warm shop to wash the car!

Thats why ONR is so good, no ice.

[miahjohn]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

I guess i dont know what ONR is??

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

I guess i dont know what ONR is??

Optimum No Rinse

[mh68]

Re: Cold Weather Detailing

I'm also in Missouri and when it gets below 40 I just go thru a good touchless car wash. Anything above 40, I use warm water to wash with and pull it in my heated garage to apply the sealant.

Mike