winter preparation tips

[CieraSL]

OK, so this Tuesday is the first day of fall, which means that colder weather is on its way. This winter will be my first winter sealing our cars with Meguiar's products (since I first started using Meguiar's back in February), and I want to get my first real winter prep down right. Typically, what I did in the past was to wash, clay, clean, and stick a coat or two of sealant on about the end of October, wash when I'm able to during the really cold months (November-the first part of February) then go ahead and do the full process again on a nice day in February (early March at the latest). Sorry, I'm not Tim Lingor. I'm not going to out dressed to the hilt in warm clothes in 30 degree temps just so I can wax the car. Not gonna happen. Since I will be getting M16 soon, my plan of action is:

Wash
Clay
Clean
M16 (one coat)
M21 (one coat)

Is this acceptable? What do you all use for a winter wax? I wanted to use M16 because of its reputation as a hard wax and as being very durable. During cold months, durability is a bigger concern for me rather than shine. Call me nuts if you will for always asking questions, but I get very weird when it comes to car care. It is my right as an MOL'er. There, I said it. I feel better now . Any tips for winter prep would be appreciated. Thanks!

Also, can Mark Kleis' rinseless washing system using Last Touch be used in cold temps? Can you pull your car in the garage during the winter and do it that way? Just curious...

[the_invisible]

Re: winter preparation tips

That's a very good and solid plan

But allow me, if I may, suggest that you apply M16 over two coats of M21.

For the perfect bond between sealant and paint, try not to leave any cleaner or polish residue on the paint. I have a feeling that some people here may disagree, but the majority of the pros rinse off the car with a citrus soap to remove any polishing oil to ensure sound LSP bond for perfect protection. Some go as far as wiping the paint with diluted alcohol solution.

While a thin layer of oil left over by the cleaner polish may give a better pop to the car, I find that the sealant/wax last longer on the paint if I wash off all the oil off the car before applying an LSP. That's something you'd definitely want in the winter season.

[Eddie6th]

Re: winter preparation tips

Seems similair to where i am. Good enough weather up till the end of october. Sounds good.
If need be,i always find there are good days here and there throughout the winter. I don't have humidty here,so a sunny day here can be nice during this period.
I don't know which one will out last the other,because i've only been using TW2.0 for a short period,but I always found carnauba wax to be long lasting. Possibly they're about the same.
If you've got a garage to work in,the problems of applying wax in cold climates is not a concern.

[Tuck91]

Re: winter preparation tips

Keep in mind that Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 is Meguiars most durable wax, not M16, since your car is garaged this should help. I think three thin coats should get you thru the winter.

For my truck, I only use NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 no matter what the season is but I always make sure I have a fresh, clean, waxed, swirl free finish before the start of winter, to make spring cleaning easier and to keep the swirls down.

Sometimes in the middle of winterI do a light claying and cleaning with ColorX since it does help. This winter I am going to try and be better about it and run over my truck with D-151 on the D.A

I wouldnt use the LT wash method in the winter when your car is really salty and dirty. Mark stated in his video that his method does not replace a traditional wash.

[CieraSL]

Re: winter preparation tips

But allow me, if I may, suggest that you apply M16 over two coats of M21.

Keep in mind that Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 is Meguiars most durable wax, not M16, since your car is garaged this should help. I think three thin coats should get you thru the winter.


I wouldnt use the LT wash method in the winter when your car is really salty and dirty. Mark stated in his video that his method does not replace a traditional wash.

Actually, my car is not garaged. We have a 2 car garage, and usually our 2000 Odyssey and our 2000 Accord are parked in there. My car sits outside 24/7/52, as does our 1990 Accord.

So, when comparing M21 2.0 and NXT 2.0 with regards to durability, which one is more durable? I have both and use both frequently, but I haven't tested them for durability, as this past spring and summer I've waxed about every 4-6 weeks. Unnecessary, I'm sure, but definitely a sign of being car crazy. Is the use of M16 optimal? If I use it in accordance with one of the two above mentioned products, should I use it as a base coat or as a topper? I would appreciate a firm answer on this please.

[Tuck91]

Re: winter preparation tips

When questions liked this were asked before, Mike Phillips would state that NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 was Meguiars's longest lasting and most durable sealant.

If you are going to use M16 then it would probably be best to use it after one coat of NXT ,12-24 hours apart.

[the_invisible]

Re: winter preparation tips

Lastnight I applied another coat of NXT 2.0 on my Maxima to bolster the protection of the previous two coats. The previous two coats were applied 3 months ago, and were still beading very nicely prior to that. My plan was to let the new coat of NXT 2.0 cure and then apply a layer of M16 on it. However I decided against that today because I figured that NXT 2.0 already does a really good job protecting the surface. By the way, I also had some MAJOR streaking on the hood with NXT 2.0. I applied too thick of a coat and did not allow it to dry completely before buffing.

M21 2.0 and NXT 2.0, according to Mike Phillips, are nearly identical. The only difference is that M21 can be applied using a rotary, and that it is safe for use in the bodyshop setting.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/19929-nxt-2-0-vs-m21.html

[Tim Lingor]

Re: winter preparation tips

OK, so this Tuesday is the first day of fall, which means that colder weather is on its way. This winter will be my first winter sealing our cars with Meguiar's products (since I first started using Meguiar's back in February), and I want to get my first real winter prep down right. Typically, what I did in the past was to wash, clay, clean, and stick a coat or two of sealant on about the end of October, wash when I'm able to during the really cold months (November-the first part of February) then go ahead and do the full process again on a nice day in February (early March at the latest). Sorry, I'm not Tim Lingor. I'm not going to out dressed to the hilt in warm clothes in 30 degree temps just so I can wax the car. Not gonna happen. Since I will be getting M16 soon, my plan of action is:

Wash
Clay
Clean
M16 (one coat)
M21 (one coat)

Is this acceptable? What do you all use for a winter wax? I wanted to use M16 because of its reputation as a hard wax and as being very durable. During cold months, durability is a bigger concern for me rather than shine. Call me nuts if you will for always asking questions, but I get very weird when it comes to car care. It is my right as an MOL'er. There, I said it. I feel better now . Any tips for winter prep would be appreciated. Thanks!

Also, can Mark Kleis' rinseless washing system using Last Touch be used in cold temps? Can you pull your car in the garage during the winter and do it that way? Just curious...

Wimp! Actually it was -14*C or 6.8*F! Get it right will ya!!! Just kidding...

I would use 2 coats of M21 which will do you just fine! But if you need to do a touch up on a 'warm' winter day () use M20 as it will work better in colder temperatures. Meg's M16 can be tough to use when it gets cold outside, but M20 works just awesome!

While I love M16, I find that I prefer the sheeting action of M21 over the beading action of M16 during the wet, snowy/rainy winter. Since you will not be washing as often, when you do, try and wash it off at a coin-op wash (rinse only) then do a rinseless wash at home. As for rinseless washes, I would use a dedicated product that was designed for that purpose. While Last Touch may work 'OK', I prefer either QEW or ONR.

Tim

[Tim Lingor]

Re: winter preparation tips

M21 2.0 and NXT 2.0, according to Mike Phillips, are nearly identical. The only difference is that M21 can be applied using a rotary, and that it is safe for use in the bodyshop setting.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-0-vs-m21.html

Sorry, but that is incorrect. No wax or sealant is "safe for use in a body shop setting". Any product with the intended purpose of sealing the paint is not paintable and therefore is not body shop safe. Now that does not mean that body shops can not use it in their shops as many do. However, most shops will not use a wax or a sealant as any fresh paint needs to out-gas and cure before being sealed.

Meguiar's offers M80 Speed Glaze with a unique Paintable Polymer which can be applied to fresh paint. However, it will not last as long as it is intended as only a product to hold you over until the paint cures and a true sealant or wax can be applied.

What Mike is saying is that some body shops will not take the time to use a DA to apply a wax or sealant and that M21 being rotary approved, some will just use a rotary to apply it.

Tim

[the_invisible]

Re: winter preparation tips

Sorry, but that is incorrect. No wax or sealant is "safe for use in a body shop setting". Any product with the intended purpose of sealing the paint is not paintable and therefore is not body shop safe. Now that does not mean that body shops can not use it in their shops as many do. However, most shops will not use a wax or a sealant as any fresh paint needs to out-gas and cure before being sealed.

Meguiar's offers M80 Speed Glaze with a unique Paintable Polymer which can be applied to fresh paint. However, it will not last as long as it is intended as only a product to hold you over until the paint cures and a true sealant or wax can be applied.

What Mike is saying is that some body shops will not take the time to use a DA to apply a wax or sealant and that M21 being rotary approved, some will just use a rotary to apply it.

Tim

Thanks for the clarification, Tim!

Now that makes me wonder why a product like M21 is being released as a Mirror Glaze product instead of the Detailer line product. I may be wrong, but it appears that all product, except sealant wax, in the Mirror Glaze line are bodyshop safe. The fact that pretty much of the Mirror Glaze products are bodyshop safe gives people the impression that almost all Mirror Glaze products are paintable.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: winter preparation tips

Thanks for the clarification, Tim!

Now that makes me wonder why a product like M21 is being released as a Mirror Glaze product instead of the Detailer line product. I may be wrong, but it appears that all, but M21, in the Mirror Glaze line are bodyshop safe. The fact that pretty much of the Mirror Glaze products are bodyshop safe gives people the impression that almost all Mirror Glaze products are paintable.

Again, sorry, but that is incorrect. If you take a moment and peruse Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Catalog, you will see a legend beside each product which states if it is Body Shop Safe or not. Yes, Meguiar's compounds , cleaner/polishes, and pure polishes are all body shop safe.

Again, any product that contains a wax or sealant as an ingredient (except for the special paintable polymer in M80) with the intended purpose of protecting the paint are not body shop safe and this includes: M20, M21, M26, M66, M06, M16 and M135.

Detailer Series products are designed for more economical use of products used in larger quantities by detailing shops. Hence the reason, some of the products are available in 55 gallon drums.

I hope that better clarifies things.

*Ps...thanks for editing your post above as it helps to prevent confusing people new to Meguiar's products!

Tim

[the_invisible]

Re: winter preparation tips

Hey, Tim... thanks for taking the time to clarify things for me!

[Tim Lingor]

Re: winter preparation tips

Hey, Tim... thanks for taking the time to clarify things for me!

No problem! Glad I could help!

Tim

[CieraSL]

Re: winter preparation tips

Wimp! Actually it was -14*C or 6.8*F! Get it right will ya!!! Just kidding...

I would use 2 coats of M21 which will do you just fine! But if you need to do a touch up on a 'warm' winter day () use M20 as it will work better in colder temperatures. Meg's M16 can be tough to use when it gets cold outside, but M20 works just awesome!

While I love M16, I find that I prefer the sheeting action of M21 over the beading action of M16 during the wet, snowy/rainy winter. Since you will not be washing as often, when you do, try and wash it off at a coin-op wash (rinse only) then do a rinseless wash at home. As for rinseless washes, I would use a dedicated product that was designed for that purpose. While Last Touch may work 'OK', I prefer either QEW or ONR.

Tim

Cool! Thanks Tim, I knew you wouldn't lead me astray. And yes, I am a wimp. Not a big wimp mind you, but a wimp nonetheless. I have worn sandals in the snow before though. Does that count for anything? I just like my warm temps, that's all.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: winter preparation tips

Cool! Thanks Tim, I knew you wouldn't lead me astray. And yes, I am a wimp. Not a big wimp mind you, but a wimp nonetheless. I have worn sandals in the snow before though. Does that count for anything? I just like my warm temps, that's all.

You are welcome! I was just busting your chops! Sandals in the snow...Ok...that counts.

Yeah...detailing in the cold is not fun...sort of....

This was a warmer day.... I did not even have gloves on!!! LOLOL