winter preparation tips

[the_invisible]

Re: winter preparation tips

I wonder what your neighbours think, seeing you detailing and washing cars out in the snow...!!!

Speaking of winter care... is there a way to keep the pressure washer line or pump from freezing during idle?

[CieraSL]

Re: winter preparation tips

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

Well, you're much braver than I am. Must be all that Arctic air you breathe in, eh?

[the_invisible]

Re: winter preparation tips

Yes, it must be the arctic air. Can you spot the Polar Bear wandering in the background?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: winter preparation tips

Well, you're much braver than I am. Must be all that Arctic air you breathe in, eh?

Ah, yes. Now I remember why I moved to Florida. lol

[Tim Lingor]

Re: winter preparation tips

I wonder what your neighbours think, seeing you detailing and washing cars out in the snow...!!!

Speaking of winter care... is there a way to keep the pressure washer line or pump from freezing during idle?

I have to run the water line from inside the house as I do not want to use my outside water tap, though they are self siphoning.

When using the pressure washer, you never allow the pump to idle very long, as even 2 minutes of idling, you can burn up a pump. The pump creates a lot of heat and pressure, so no worries for keeping the pressure washer line clear.

The biggest issue is the ice on the driveway. You have to make sure the temps are close to melting. When I started, it was a little warmer then suddenly a cold front moved in and it started snowing like nuts!

My neighbours already think I am crazy for how clean I keep my vehicles!

Tim

[Nappers]

Re: winter preparation tips

My neighbours already think I am crazy for how clean I keep my vehicles!

Mine do too, especially when I break out the camera and take pictures of it when cleaning/detailing.....

One old neighbor tells me I'm going to wash the paint right off of the car

I tried to detail a car in the freezing temps and the Quik Wheel Detailer froze on the wheel....I waited a little while after that! LOL

[scott0999]

Re: winter preparation tips

I remember one time I washed my car in borderline freezing temps. the doors froze shut and I had to climb out the window LOL

[Tim Lingor]

Re: winter preparation tips

I remember one time I washed my car in borderline freezing temps. the doors froze shut and I had to climb out the window LOL

LOLOLOL.....

But very good point to bring up... I use a rubber safe spray silicone on the rubber door moldings to help prevent the doors from sticking. I also shoot lock de-icer into the locks after washing to prevent them from freezing.

Washing a vehicle in cold weather is whole other way of detailing!

Tim

[RGP]

Re: winter preparation tips

When I had to deal with road salt in Cleveland, I would run a hose out of my basement from my slop sinks to the driveway. I let the car idle to keep things warmed up to eliminate freezing and to promote engine drying. I did this each and every day after using the car all day long on my mail delivery route.

I just coiled the hose in the slop sink, and fed it out of the basement window. I used totally hot water. Never had any problems and I suspect it made my car last a few years longer using it in this non detailing friendly environment.

For chrome, I would dilute roofing tar with kerosene and smear it all over the chrome. Looked like the devil, but it protects the chrome if you have any.

[gofastman]

Re: winter preparation tips

take a look at the bottom seam of your doors, allot of times crud gets stuck between the metal and the weatherstripping. Once corrosion starts there the mag chloride from the road de-icer makes very quick work of things.

[ColonelCash]

Re: winter preparation tips

LOLOLOL.....

But very good point to bring up... I use a rubber safe spray silicone on the rubber door moldings to help prevent the doors from sticking. I also shoot lock de-icer into the locks after washing to prevent them from freezing.

Washing a vehicle in cold weather is whole other way of detailing!

Tim

Tim: Is this just for washing the vehicles, or for all around winter use?

[Tim Lingor]

Re: winter preparation tips

Tim: Is this just for washing the vehicles, or for all around winter use?

Normally in the summer, I just use M40 as it keeps them looking nice and new. But in the winter, I use the Silicone Spray. Any water based dressing, like M40, can actually freeze on the moldings, hence the reason I use the silicone instead.

Tim

[ColonelCash]

Re: winter preparation tips

Normally in the summer, I just use M40 as it keeps them looking nice and new. But in the winter, I use the Silicone Spray. Any water based dressing, like M40, can actually freeze on the moldings, hence the reason I use the silicone instead.

Tim

Is Silicone Spray the brand? I'd love to find something that keeps my doors from freezing after a cold rain shower.

[the_invisible]

Re: winter preparation tips

There are many different brands of silicone sprays. Although some may differ from one another, you want the one that is specifically designed for "conditioning" rubbers. On the labels of a couple of Silicone Sprays state that the spray could be used to recondition rubber floor mats or to be used as a lubricant. People use them to recondition suspension rubber boots and seals around the car to prevent them from cracking. It will dry up and will not leave an oily residue. It could also be used to clean up suspension parts. Basically it is a lubricant used on rubber or plastic where generally petroleum based products should not be used. I got my Permatex Silicone Sprays from the Washington Walmart for around $3-5.

[paul.segovich]

Re: winter preparation tips

Brilliance!
I'll certainly use that spray this comming winter.

The past winter i did not. And maybe someone else from illinois can attest to this. We had a warm day, late december i believe it was, 35 degrees, and it rained. A couple of inches it rained. And that night, it dropped, below zero. That next day, there was no hope for getting into your car if it were parked outside as mine was!
We're talking a sheet of ice, a couple inches thick, over the entire car.