Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

[speed3blackmica]

okay okay dont worry this isnt another freezing product question..i have done my homework and read all the threads i could possibly find on MOL about the freezing temps and meguiars products..my question is that i want to know if anyone has tried what i want to try...i live in NJ and lo temps can be down to 20 at night...i do keep my products in the garage. the garage isn't insulated or anything but there plenty of weather stripping to keep wind out..it does stay pretty warm in there..id say about 40 degrees in the winter..but i never really put a thermometer in there...anyway on to my question...has anyone tried putting their products in coolers and keeping them in the garage ? i have a lot of big coolers that could work extremely well to keep the products insulated...has anyone tried this ? i know i know i could just simply bring the products in the house and store them inside for the winter...but im curious, has anyone tried this and had great results ?

[imacarnut]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

I use those snap-lid containers (15-20 gallon) and have a few old blankets in there, or you can keep them in your house/closet as well. Detailing products aren't cheap these days and having them freeze or seperate would not make any of us happy. Also giving them a good shake every week or so is a good idea.

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

how do those containers work out for you along with some blankets ? i have a ton of those big snap lids

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

its just that i have so much stuff it really would be a lot of work to bring it all in the house

[Murr1525]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

Is you garage attatched to the house?

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

Is you garage attatched to the house?

no it is not...the garage is on the end of the driveway...i think i am just going to go to the post office tomorow and pick up a bunch of empty boxes and start storing them in the boxes..i think its my best bet..better safe than sorry

[Murr1525]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

Yeah, a little insulation wont help once everything gets and stays cold.

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

thats what i figured Murr, i do feel dumb asking the question but hey why else would i ask MOL ? cuz i know ppl can help..in the morning im ganna get to boxing and what not and bring everything inside..its just not worth losing all that product.

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

yeah i think i am going to just have to start boxing things...its just not worth spoiling all that product...what about the car wash soaps ? im going to assume those can stay in the garage as i cant see them freezing

[Clutch34]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

not to steal this thread or anything, but what about garages that get too hot? (live in texas) is that bad for the products?

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

yes, upon doing my homework...i read up on a lot of threads that said too hot is no good either...but were talking about 100 degrees + hot...i have no problem with heat in my garage as my garage has no windows..its nothing but shade on the inside...so it stays pretty cool in the summer..the winter just *****

[SHYNEMAN123]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

yeah i think i am going to just have to start boxing things...its just not worth spoiling all that product...what about the car wash soaps ? im going to assume those can stay in the garage as i cant see them freezing

Do you have electric in the garage ?

Will your liquid products fit in 1 or 2 lg coolers ?

You could place a heating pad set on low in each cooler and chk to see what temp it will maintain and adjust as needed, the do not use that much electric and with being inside the cooler and on a thermostat should not run that much.

Just a thought

Good Luck

[TOGWT]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

Car care products should not be stored at temperatures below 35 - 40oF, if they freeze they may become unstable and therefore unusable, ideal storage temperature range- 50- 75oF with an average humidity range. Most car care products have a ‘useful life’ of approximately 2-3 years provided they are stored as above.

Do not store at temperature extremes (below 40 – over 80.0F +) as heat will destabilise emulsified products (wax, polymer sealants, polishes, etc) and avoid extreme temperature swings as the chemicals will become unstable. Most car care products (including Polymers) will separate and may become unusable after being subjected to freezing temperatures

The chemical composition of waxes rarely ever change regardless of what form it is in, whether it is melted to a semi-liquid or remains as a semi-solid. Temperature has little to no effect as far as inhibiting the shelf life of wax, a cool temperatures and constant humidity will slow the evaporation of solvents from the wax, thus keeping the wax softer and easier to use over a longer period of time.

Shelf-Life

a) Polymers have a shelf life of approx 3-5 years if kept in their original containers and stored at temperatures as above
b) Polish - technically 2 years, however if bottle is kept closed, and the product has not separated, there would be no problem with use for four years after sale date.
c) Waxes will last almost indefinitely, provided that they are stored a sealed in their original containers and in the refrigerator or controlled environment once opened. The liquids should last 18 months if stored at normal room temperature.
d) If product emulsion separates it could be indicative of age (but not necessarily past its useful life) shake vigorously for 5-10 minutes and see if the product re- mixes.

Product shelf -life may vary from one manufacturer to another, if in doubt check with product mfg or vendor.

[CharlesW]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

yeah i think i am going to just have to start boxing things...its just not worth spoiling all that product...what about the car wash soaps ? im going to assume those can stay in the garage as i cant see them freezing

Bringing them in would be a good move.
Some products are not affected by freezing, but others are made virtually unusable.

Some car washes will freeze. I don't know if they would be damaged, but I do bring mine in with all my other stuff.

[speed3blackmica]

Re: Freezing Issue (Please read looking for advice)

well guys..thank you for all the useful information...i could try the heating pad with the coolers but im just not even going to go out of my way...i just got done bringing everything inside...i just havent broughten the car wash gallons in yet..but everything else is in..im just going to leave them inside and when i want to detail, ill take a bucket with me and put whatever i need for the wash in it from my stash...when it gets warmer ill restock in the garage.