Freezer month

A

Alexshimshimhae

New member
Question: Now that the freezing months are here, how are some of you guys (without heated shops) working?



I imagine most of you guys just close up shop so to speak, but my problem is during the wash/clay your hands are wet so very prone to freezing (wet hands freezing air) you solutions?



also, what do you guys do about lsps? and other products...if some of them require heat to activate and break down (polishes/compounds) or certain minimum temp to "work" (i.e. collinite) how do you guys go about it?
 
I have a portable propane heater in my garage which hooks up the 20# tanks, but I still shut down for the winter months. It is too difficult to wash inside the garage and keep everything on my shelves (decorations, etc) from getting soaking wet. If I had more space, (currently a 24x24 garage w/ drywall), I would not have a problem since I have a deep sink (with hose spigot attachment) and hot and cold water. Needless to say, I am not much help to you on this topic.
 
I hear you there--I live in the city so garages are just about unheard of...but if you do have one it's so tight that it's really tough to get any work done in em...if my garage had like a foot extra room all around, I would just get tarp and pin it to the ceilings...
 
My MIL just got a new car she's going to want me to wash/clay/seal and I was planning on doing a quick Dawn wash outside and bringing it inside the garage. I may set up the space heater in the garage if it's not quite warm enough
 
Hrmmmmm, this is a tough one if you don't physically have the room. There's 2 parts of this, the lack of room indoors, plus the freezing temperatures.



My first suggestions is to wash outside. Unless you're sitting at -20 degrees C (~-6 F) or colder, you won't get anything freezing on the vehicle too quickly. Wear gloves when washing, I recommend nitrile work gloves on your hands themselves, and then something like think Mechanix-brand gloves on top. Wash with warm water and you won't have any problems with your hands freezing up.



Your drying / polishing / LSP work should be done indoors though. For heat, with a smaller garage, a small electric space heater will do just fine. Other options include propane or wood.



As for your lack of space in your garage, other than suggesting an expansion reno, I'm not sure what to say. One option is to park the car as close to the wall as possible on the passenger side of the vehicle, work on the drivers side, and then vice versa when you're ready to switch.
 
well temps aren't freezing yet--still in the 40's but when you add in wind chill, wet fingers even with latex/nitril gloves it tends to get your fingers numb lol...I was thinking about wearing mf gloves with nitrils on top. as for the garage thing i was thinking about doing what WAS mentioned and maybe getting an overhead heater
 
For waxing/glazing, try 1Z einszett Glanz Wax. According the the retailer, it can work in temperatures as low as 0° F (-17.8°C for our non-USA friends).

No, I haven't tried it. I've tried Megs NXT at below freezing temps in a garage with streaky results. I've used Collinite 845 on door jams (very thin applications) during the winter in attempt to keep the seals from freezing to the door jams when snow melts after a parking the car outside from a trip to work or shopping during a snow storm (or worse yet, a freezing rain event). It works very well, but who looks at door jams to see if they are streaky in the winter. This is one case where function is more important than form.



I know that Collinite 476S (and 885 Fleetwax, it's twin) states to apply at temperatures above 50°F.



(Oh ya, for those of you who are wondering how to get the degree symbol (°) while typing, the ASCI code is "ALT" key + 0176 (holding the "ALT Key down while typing the numerals 0176, then release the "ALT" key)
 
I can go to -10°C then the water is freezing on the car within 60 seconds using 2BM.



Below -10°C You can ONR a panel at a time no problem. I would say this is the only way to wash the car in serious cold.



Be sure to use warm water in the bucket and you will get a few minutes out of it and it will keep your hands warm also, insulate the underside of the bucket with something if there is snow, so the bucket/water is not in direct contact with the snow or it'll go cold in seconds.



I don't bother claying/waxing etc in freezing temperatures but you could put the car inside your garage for this less messy part if you wish.
 
I just have some friends with nice heated shops that I can use.:cool: I can fire up a heater in my shop, but it isn't worth the mess as I usually don't do too many cars in the winter.



Randy
 
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