Winter Tips Anyone?

[subjectzero]

My first winter with a new car, I don't have a garage (not yet but someday)to wash my car in and have been reading some articles that are freaking me out about soaps used in auto car washes. What's an addict to do to keep the salt off a car this winter? I got the under coating done to prevent rusting on the undercarriage but I'm still concerned about the paint. I'm sure its gonna tear it up one way or another. Are there some special products I should consider for the winter over the summer?

[BS MXRacer]

Re: Winter Tips Anyone?

Best thing would be to use a car wash where you go and wash the car yourself with a metered system and they give you a pressure washer and such.

as for products a good sealant like NXT 2.0 or M21 on top of properly prepared paint would be the best, they last longer than carnuba wax and offer better protection.

2 coats is advisable with about a 12 hour window in between each.

[subjectzero]

Re: Winter Tips Anyone?

Awesome. I have the NXT I've got the pro I think its the yellow 26. It was the first one I bought and then got to skiddish and went a step down. (probably wise thing to do at the time) I do currently use a metered car wash and dry it and wax it myself -right there in the bay despite the rules. The one I go to has never had all 5 bays in use at one time and most people just hose off their cars and go. (Crying shame actually. They don't have an air dryer at all! Why bother? It's just gonna look awful from the water spots) I guess what I'll have to figure out is a way to keep the soap water at a temp that won't freeze my hands when cleaning. I'd stick a fishtank heater in it if there was an outlet (oh yes, redneck bloodline is starting to show)

[BS MXRacer]

Re: Winter Tips Anyone?

M21 is the pro version of NXT. M26 is a great waz though and it includes both carnuba wax and synthetic polymers. You can also apply one coat of Nxt and top it with M26 after the 12 hour window if you wish. Some people prefer the finish that a tradition carnuba wax gives. I would stick with one coat of NXT at least though as that will still provide longer lasting protection than M26.

[TOGWT]

Re: Winter Tips Anyone?

“Winter Vehicle Preparation” - from a series of i articles “The Art & Science of Detailing” - http://togwt1980.blogspot.com

[wifpd4]

Re: Winter Tips Anyone?

As you already know, not having a garage in the winter is a going to be a pain to maintain concerned car care. Finding a car wash with garage doors would be helpful and finding one with heated bays that will allow you to bucket wash would ideal.

I have two five-gallon buckets with screw lids I use at car washes to hand wash our cars. I don't fill the buckets with water from home until it gets really cold. Not so much for the cars' benefit, more for my cold hands.

I still power wash before hand washing, sometimes just to warm up the cars' surface so the handwashing soap doesn't freeze on the surface of the car.

At times it will be too cold to maintain the car, although I've used Ultimate Quik Detailer down to 30 degrees. I don't know how well Ultimate Quik Wax performs in the cold. Perhaps some folks further to the North will give us some additional ideas.

Salt is bad, but the liquid pre-treater DOT uses is even worse and I'm sure the gallons of windshield washer fluid I use doesn't help either. I don't like salt eating away at my undercarriage, so yes I will run through a touchless wash to get the undercarriage spray. I will follow that up with a hand wash. I used to use Gold Class, but I stocked up on Ultimate Wash and Wax for this winter.

Good luck with your efforts.

[mattya802]

Re: Winter Tips Anyone?

Filling up the buckets with warm water should be good to keep your hands from freezing. I've already begun doing that on a few of the chilly days up here in MA and will continue to do that over the winter.

Won't be as bad as the time I detailed a neighbors car a few years ago in below freezing temps and the water was freezing as I was trying to dry it! lol....I had no idea what I was doing at that time anyways.

Really not sure how product use is effected in the cold though, I'm interested in that answer also.

[akimel]

Re: Winter Tips Anyone?

I have found Optimum No Rinse to be an essential product for the care of my vehicles during the winter months. If my car is particularly dirty, I will take it to the nearby coin-op and give it a good rinse. I will then drive it home, where I have a bucket filled with warm water, ONR, and grit guard. I will then proceed to wash and dry the entire car. As much as possible I want to rely on the ONR rather than the coin-op chemicals to get my cars clean.

Last month I put three coats of synthetic sealant on both cars--Blackfire Wet Diamond on Luthien and Finish Kare 1000p on the CR-V. If during the winter months either car looks like it needs a gloss boost, I will apply Ultimate Quik Wax after a wash (temperature permitting).

I don't worry about applying tire dressings. If we get a brief warm spell which allows me to spend some real time with the car, then great, I'll do my usual routine; but otherwise I'm just hoping to keep the cars looking decent.

[Murr1525]

Re: Winter Tips Anyone?

Ultimate Wash and Wax would also be handy for a quick wash on am OK day.

And the coin-op places i have been to recently had a spot-free rinse option that seemed to work ok when I used it.... no worse than rain at least, if not better.

[subjectzero]

Re: Winter Tips Anyone?

Thanks for tips! I'll keep that in mind. I definitely agree about the tire shine. It'd be next to impossible to keep up with anyway with the salt and everything else. Besides...Melting snow also gives the "wet tire" look. -Lol