Wax/Polish/Sealer use in freezing temps?

[pottymouth]

I used to be able to take my cars to the office during the winter and detail them in a nice, heated environment. Sadly, the company has gone out of business and the new job I'm starting in January does not have a physical location around here (working from my home office.)

Anyone polish their car in temps below 40 degrees F? My garage is currently taken up with a project car so there is no room to get indoors. I will have to do it in the driveway. I hate to let the cars go through the entire winter without some attention, but would rather do that than pay someone money to do a half-assed job and end up with swirls and burn marks. I do not use machines, just elbow grease.

Any suggestions for products, or am I just out of luck?

 

[opus1]

I think you're SOL. Check the label on the product, there may be something about a lowest recommended temp to use. But I think that wax/polish relies on the carrier evaporating before you start buffing and in cold weather, that's going to take a long time to happen.

 

[wn1998]

I have waxed in temps above freezing with good results. I am in Chicago and we typically get a few days above freezing. Just take advantage of a warmer day and apply a thin coat of wax and you should be ok. I would also recommend using a spray wax after washes to help some extra protection on your car. I currently use Lucas Slick Mist and love it!

 

[Malo83]

Meguiars Ultimate Quik Wax spray works for me in the winter,spray the entire car and let set for about 20 min and wipe with microfibers,best on a sunny day

 

[bretfraz]

Many waxes and polishes do not work well in low temps, especially the newer water-based products. They smear and streak, and take a long time to set up.

Best suggestion I have is to use a spray wax whenever you wash. That will keep some protection on the car thru the winter months, then you can do a proper detail when things warm up.

Another alternative is to wash the car then park it in a heated garage where you have a little working space for a couple hours. When I lived in Chicago this is what I'd do, but I lived in an apartment with a garage so it was easier for me.

 

[TOGWT]

Surface Temperature (actual surface temperature of the vehicle) between 50 (10.oC) and 80.oF (26.oC) products will work well within a much broader temperature range, i.e. 45.° to 90.° F (4.5-32.oC) but at 45 degrees it will take much longer to dry, perhaps as much as two to three hours) but the best results will be achieved in the 60° to 70° F (15-21.oC) range surrounding air temp (ambient or room) must be 55.oF (12.oC) + to ensure the minimum vehicle surface temperature of 50.oF (10.oC) which is recommended as a minimum by most car care product manufacturers

 

[ionfuel]

Dri Wash n' Guard's Ultra Ion can be used in temps down to around 35 degrees or so. I've used it thru most of this winter in the cold and have had pretty good luck with it.

 

[ionbeam22]

Water based products don't plate out correctly in cold temperatures, and if the product contains actual waxes, they can harden won't level properly.

If I ever had to wax a car in sub-freezing temperatures, I would spray on a layer of Pledge "Protection Plus", since heavy silicones stay liquid at low temperature, and are incredibly hydrophobic. It's very funny to see how salt spray/winter road grime doesn't stick to a car covered in Pledge, but instead the dirt floats on a thin layer of invisible silicone. You can literally wipe it off with your fingertips or a paper towel.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: wn1998
I have waxed in temps above freezing with good results. I am in Chicago and we typically get a few days above freezing. Just take advantage of a warmer day and apply a thin coat of wax and you should be ok. I would also recommend using a spray wax after washes to help some extra protection on your car. I currently use Lucas Slick Mist and love it!


I've done the same thing with good results, I was also younger, and didn't care about being out in the cold. Now I do a bang up job detailing before the winter sets in, and if I get a good day, I wash the vehicle and hit it with wax as you dry, or a 5 minute detailer.

 

[wapacz]

Your best bet is going to be protect all quick and easy wash or Optimum no rinse and shine wash. Both of these products remove the need to rinse the car so you can go from washing to drying.

I've wash in below freezing with the hot water qew and a pump spray for like pesticides to presoak the salt a bit. If you do this I recommend getting gloves like you would wear in the kitchen because even though the water is hot your hands still get cold.

 

[kkreit01]

Put a good sealant on before winter: DG 105 + IW 845. During the winter, hit it a few times with AquaWax, and you'll be fine until spring. This has been my routine for a few years, and has worked excellent.

Run it through an underbody wash -- to get all the salt off underneath (and the top layer of crud). Drive home and do an ONR wash in closed garage. Use AquaWax while drying with MF towel.