HOW COLD to WAX

[c5rick]

Just picked up my new car and wanted to clay it and put a coat of wax on before the snow flies. My problem, no garage, so I have to work outdoors and was wondering how low the temps could be and still apply polish or wax outside.
Thanks

[mis3]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

I have waxed when outside temperature was 10c. The wax would take longer to dry.

[Murr1525]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

Yeah, as long as the product spreads you can wax. Just takes longer to dry, may smear a little when removing. But not a big deal.

I think the ColorX or Cleaner/Wax work well when cold, then a regular wax after.

[paulcr39]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

Just picked up my new car and wanted to clay it and put a coat of wax on before the snow flies. My problem, no garage, so I have to work outdoors and was wondering how low the temps could be and still apply polish or wax outside.
Thanks

Florida's west coast too cold? Darn global warming, er cooling!

I've used UQW with the temps in the 20's but in full sun. I've used it in the garage with temps in the low 40's. NXT 2.0 has been used in temps as low as 50 in my garage, the 'cure' time was well over half an hour but it removed easily. Never polished in temps that low so I can't answer you on that question.

[STRIFE]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

I wish i was in Florida ....been looking to put a second coat of wax on my DD....but it's been cold & rainy up here in Vancouver.....think the "warmest" it was today was 7 C or 44.6 F......thank god I have a garage

[c5rick]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

Florida's west coast too cold? Darn global warming, er cooling!

Yea, guess I should change that. About a year ago and wanting to keep to earning a pay check, I had to leave the dreaded sunshine and clear blue waters for the rolling rocky bluffs of Missouri. It's actually hotter here in the summer then it was in Bradenton and the humidity is about the same, I just don't have to worry about gators.

[wifpd4]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

This is the time it's okay to work in the sun. Use it to keep the surface of the car warm. Even then 45 is probably gonna be a limit, then you'll end up making a mess that won't be worth the effort.

[PhantomMagician]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

i'll put my cheek on the paint, if it's not hot, then WAX TIME
(only do that on my car , on other prople car, i just touch it, and it it's warm or cold, then i give it a go )

[Murr1525]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

Absolutely use the sun.

[joaks]

Ive used UW paste at near freezing before. Not as smooth application but the wax worked fine. The temp dropped back below freezing shortly after and my locks were frozen for maybe 2 weeks off and on. So i wouldnt go that cold.

[dtuna42]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

The bigger problem is gonna be keeping the clay pliable in the colder temperatures. I'd say if it's warm enough to kneed the clay, it's warm enough to wax..

[Hemitom]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

My black ram is in need of a good detailing. but without a garage and I hate to work in the cold or in the hot sun it hasn't gotten done this year yet.

[Murr1525]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

Where do you live? If up north where it is cold now, the sun is great to use.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

Once temperatures start dipping below the 50~55F range you can start running into some issues. Application, drying time, and wipe off can all become a bit problematic, but there are a lot of variables to consider so sometimes we see people getting good results in colder weather, and sometimes not. But David makes an excellent point about letting sunshine be your friend this time of year. But even so, just because the sun has warmed up the surface of the car a bit, you still don't want to be applying wax when the ambient temperature is really low as that will still have a big impact on the wax.

[ethereal45]

Re: HOW COLD to WAX

I used ultimate wax today around 45 F and I didn't seem to run into any problems. The wax spread very nicely with my DA and seemed to behave as normal. I'm sure the cold affects the curing process, but the car certainly looks great. I can't report any noticeable issues, at least visually.