How cold is to cold detailing outside?

[Rob Tomlin]

Im lucky to be in SoCal, but still, in the Winter it can be relatively uncomfortable to wash the car when it's cold out (cold being a relative term since we are still talking about 60 degrees).

But the original question was with regard to the effect of cold weather on applying sealants/wax. I know that some sealants, like Zaino, could take forever to dry and cure in cold wet weather. A heated garage would probably help, but not sure to what degree.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: How cold is too cold detailing outside?

What is the general rule of thumb as to when it is too cool to apply compounds, sealants, and waxes? :dunno

Outside or inside, any time it is below 50 degrees seems to be a problem for me.
Products don't seem to dry very quickly and I have a tendency to want to rush things. Not a good combination.
I can't say I have had any products fail to do what they are supposed to do. It just seemed to take a lot longer at 45 dgrees than it did at 55 degrees. :dunno

Charles

 

[Holyghostfilled]

I would have to agree...wind chill factor....freezing driveway?? I'd rather take the heat....

 

[Luv-N-It]

Thanks Rob & Charles. I guess I should have clarified my question better. Waxing/Sealants/Compounds inside a garage using a portable heater results. Think I'll be ok as long as use the heater occaisionally to keep it halfway warm. Think I should buy a thermometer now

 

[mgm2003]

You'll be fine using a portable heater in the garage. It also helps if you add insulation to your garage doors (or if you already have insulated doors).

As for your products. Bring them indoors for the winter months. The water based ones will freeze up. I usually box my stuff up and put it in the basement.

 

[Luv-N-It]

I'm going to be using a salamander type heater. It gets the garage pretty warm. Thanks for reminding me about the products...To bad your not in the columbus area anymore we could get into business together. I've got a semi to do next weekend

 

[awd330]

You'll be fine using a portable heater in the garage. It also helps if you add insulation to your garage doors (or if you already have insulated doors).

I replaced my home's wooden garage doors with heavily insulated metal ones last winter. The average winter temperature inside my garage immediately went up by 12 degrees (30F to 42F).

 

[kingpin]

Wont detail unless its over 65F I hate cold weather so anything under 85F for me is horrible. I tired detailing in 50's before it was horrid hands felt like you where dipping them in liquid nitrogen.

Fr0zen,
You live in the wrong part of the country for that. You must only get a couple of months to detail your ride. I wash outside if it's in the 40's F, then pull her into the nice toasty garage. Got a 60,000 BTU modine and insulated walls/doors..

Your neighbor to the north.