How to detail... its 14F outside!

S

///S320

New member
Hi guys

This question is for those members who live in colder climates:



How do you detail your ride when its single digit or below 30 F weather inside the garage?



My garage has no heating!
 
Halogens create a lot of heat. You can use a space heater as well. Make sure the door is closed and if you're doing an exterior detail, bring plenty of ONR (Optimum No Rinse).



Others use propane heaters (some risk). I'm sure more experienced winter detailers will have better suggestions.
 
Unfortunately, I don't do any major detailing over the winter. It's more of a maintenance period for me. I just try to get the salt off whenever feasible, do ONR washes, and the occasional Aquawax to top my 2-coat Meguiars 26 that was applied in fall.



Although if I didn't have such a busy schedule with high school and work, I would wash far more often.



I'm sure other autopians do a lot more than me during the deep freeze, but i'm only borderline insane. :cooleek:
 
Although it doesn't normally get that cold here, to stay warm I typically just use my halogens and my heat dish. That thing radiates plenty of heat to stay warm as long as you keep it pointed at you where ever you are working.
 
I detailed in the garage last night, it was around 34 when I finished. I have an electric heater and a kerosene heater for really cold days. ONR is a fantastic product to use in the winter, and it makes a decent QD!
 
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///S320 said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys!\r\n\r\nI have bi-xenon headlights on both cars, so il see how hot they get!
Click to expand...
\r\n\r\nI believe what hey were suggesting is Halogen lights used for detailing.\r\n\r\n
New_Lamp_1.JPG
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zaxjax said:
I detailed in the garage last night, it was around 34 when I finished. I have an electric heater and a kerosene heater for really cold days. ONR is a fantastic product to use in the winter, and it makes a decent QD!
Click to expand...



What does ONR mean?



Thanks!
 
Halogens do infact work, but you may decide to get a heatdish or something along those lines, something you can move, that won't use too much electricity. I just usually dress really warm, doesn't work well unfortunately.
 
[url="http://autopia.org/forum/car-detailing/102149-onr-newbie-no-more.html] Here is my thread I used after a session of ONR, my first try[/url]
 
Just read the labels of your products. Most waxes and such won't work properly under a certian temp so there's no point in trying to detail in weather that cold anyways. I always have to keep my bay at least 65* because over half my products won't perfom optimally under that temp. It's a PITA most of the time.
 
My Craftsmen 1000watt lights put out an amazing amount of heat. Those backed with a small heater makes it nice and toasty in the garage.
 
I agree with Jake. Unless you've got a decent heat source it may cause you more trouble than its worth (at least polishing). I would ONR in an unheated garage with the halogens on without a problem-even at the temps you mentioned. However, some polishes get very finicky at low temps (Menzerna) and require alot of patience. A couple weeks back I tried SIP/Orange in a garage that was in the low->mid 40s and it did not want to spread and it dried on the pad very quickly; night and day difference with some products at certain temps.
 
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