I Have No Cover or Shade for Waxing--Suggestions?

G

globe9

New member
I have no trees, carport, or garage where I live. I just bought a new car and would like to wax it before the high temps and humidity arrive. Since I live in New Orleans area, this could happen fairly soon.



I plan on using Meg's Tech Wax 2.0. Is it ok to use this in direct sunlight? If not, what can I do. Wake up really early and wax early morning-ish, when it's light outside, but the sun is not at it's peak, or late evening-ish right before it sets?



I was thinking about hitting a self-serve carwash and using their bay to wax my car, but I don't want to get in trouble since I know they don't want this and post signs. I, of course, would try this when it's not very busy and no one was waiting for a bay. This would be my last resort however.



I'd much prefer to wax the car at home, so what would you guys suggest I do?

Thanks!
 
Go to a self serve car wash on a cruddy day. Wind/rain wouldn't be good, but if it's just overcast and bad weather is in the forcast people shouldn't be lined up waiting.
 
steelwind101 said:
I believe alot of Poorboys products worth great in the sun!
Click to expand...



Yep, and they are very easy to use. PB seems to target easy of use vs durabilty/looks.
 
I used NXT 2.0 in the sun this past weekend. The temperature was around 78 degrees. I left the wax on the car for a good 20 minutes and it wiped off without any problems.
 
On another note, I used Mothers pre-wax cleaner before applying the NXT 2.0 and it dried before I even finished one panel. It was a pain to get off. I actually had to rewet certain areas of the car because it was literally stuck to the paint. That is one product I do not recommend using in the sun.
 
when I was 18 or so, I would wash/clay/wax my car at midnight or so, I'd do it at a self-serve place and basically use the pressure washer for the rinsing of the wash so I was giving them business and it was in the middle of the night so nobody would complain about me taking up a spot. I did it at these places mainly because me and my friends all washed our cars together and this way we could hang out and it had good lighting.



if you were to just wake up exceptionally early (before the sun rise) you'd not only be w/o direct heat on the car, but also sun, its not like you're going to be doing this daily so once every so often to wax shouldn't be too hard to schedule.
 
As others have said Poorboys and I belive Zanio Z2 works like a champ in the sun. Let us not forget Optimum Car Wax, I use it weekly and its been 85 here the past few days ZERO issues
 
I've used a lot of waxes I shouldn't have in the sun. NXT2 works great in the sun, as does the Meguiar's Cleaner wax. I'd avoid M26 in the sun, though if you do small sections at a time it'll definitely work, just don't give it much haze time. I used M16 in the sun too, you have to be FAST with that stuff. One small section at a time, then wipe it off. It'll haze almost instantly, so you can wipe it right off.



So my best suggestion is to just work quickly, and work in smaller sections. I've got an SUV and I usually split it up into 3 hood sections, 3 roof sections on each side, and then each fender or door is its own section, as is the rear hatch and the F/R bumper. Apply quickly then immediately buff off and you can use just about anything out there.



Insomnia also works great, when I was a younger guy and lived with my best friends we'd all go out late at night and wash/wax the cars. Or if we were bored during the day there was a covered parking garage on campus that was usually pretty empty (it was way far out and nobody wanted to walk from there) that we'd use, and the parking lots were pretty well lit. You'll get some crazy looks if you're waxing your car in the parking garage of a campus BTW. Luckily, we were friends with the cops on campus and they'd stop to talk to us sometimes. Which made for even more strange stares.



If none of those options work for you, I'd try moving into something more sealant based, they seem to go on and off easier in the sun than the heavy carnauba based waxes. NXT2 would be a good choice, or any number of spray waxes. Also, Meguiar's Cleaner Wax (paste form) can be allowed to dry in the sun and it still comes off relatively easily (as compared to something like M26 or M16), I did that on the gf's PT Cruiser yesterday. If you can wake up, the early morning should be better as the temperatures will be lower. I'm a night person, so I usually end up dealing with the temperatures and doing it at dusk.
 
i used to go to a self serve car wash at nite say around 9-9:30pm. no one there and you've got the place to yourself.
 
Yes go at a off hour that is what I did, Here is something that I use to do, go to a mall,its has to be a double decker and park your car on the first level bring a radio water and whatever you need. I use to go Sunday morning the malls open at11AM so you can start @8am and be done Mall security use to break my balls but I just ignore them and say my wife is inside shopping with my kids
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top