wash and wax in the cold

9

91black5spd

New member
During the cold months I usually wash my car and am not able to wax because the wax products don't really work in the cold. So, I was thinking of using a wash and wax car soap for the cold months when I can't wax. Does this sound like a good idea or not? Any other better options?
 
While I don't really know, I have my doubts that the "wash & wax" soaps will do much for you.

Options?

1. Use one of the rinseless wash product that seem to leave at least something behind. I have no idea how much if any they will protect.

2. Use a spray wax that wipes on and off like a QD.
Poorboy's Quick Wax+
Optimum Car Wax
Duragloss Aqua Wax
Mothers makes at least two
I know there's many others as well.
You could check with the suppliers and see at what low temperature point they won't work.

3. Find a friend or relative that would let you use their enclosed space once or twice a year. A hand wax won't take a lot of time or space.

You don't list your location, but even in Iowa, we get a day or two of warmer weather a few times during the winter. Even without heat, my garage is usually about 10 degrees warmer than outside. 40/50 degree day, 50/60 degree garage. Not the best, but it can be made to work.
 
buy yourself some Natty's blue..I use it in the cold and don't have problems...but yeah a carwash soap with wax in it would be better than one without
 
I have never used a soap wax combo because I just never thought it was as good as washing and then waxing but I do have a question???\If it is too cold for a wax to work then how will the wax in the soap water do any better.
Is this a different formula that will work in the cold and if so why don't they use it to make regular wax with it so you could wax in cold weather.
For me this just don't add up right.
I could see a wax in the soap maybe leaving something behind in warm weather just like a rinse less wash does but not sure about the cold.

I like Charles Idea much better find a place that you can use or maybe even rent for a few hours to wash and wax in the warmth of a heated building.
 
As Charles said, use a spray wax after the wash to add some wax while at the same time drying off the water spots. QD+, SynWax, Reflections (to name a few) work well this way. One warning, though, is to spray the cloth, not the car, as you may (very likely) get overspray all over the trim/glass as well as the paint.
 
black bart said:
I have never used a soap wax combo because I just never thought it was as good as washing and then waxing but I do have a question???\If it is too cold for a wax to work then how will the wax in the soap water do any better.
Click to expand...


Good point I guess it doesn't really make much sense since wax wont work why would soap and wax.

I can use my parents garage which is where I keep the firebird, but it is about 45min away. I just was washing my jeep today and thinking about options for outdoor waxing when it is cold.

BTW I live in New Jersey. It gets pretty cold from December through february. Usually I just wax before winter and wait till spring.
 
Best option other than finding a warm place to wax is use a good sealant put it on just before cold weather hits and it will protect all winter no NEED to reapply for 6-8 months or longer.
 
Try what I said. It works. I HAVE used it, and will use it again.
Is it better than a stand alone wax job no. Does it help yes.
So maybe instead of taking peoples word who have not tried something, pay the $12.00 and try it yourself.
 
Ronkh said:
Try what I said. It works. I HAVE used it, and will use it again.
Is it better than a stand alone wax job no. Does it help yes.
So maybe instead of taking peoples word who have not tried something, pay the $12.00 and try it yourself.
Click to expand...


The truth about wash and wax is IT IS NOT AT ALL AS GOOD AS HAND WAX/SEALENT. It might shine because of some silicone but for true paint protection it will not protect like a hand application. Please remember if you wash to often no wax will last after a wash and hand dry. Do I use wash and wax the short answer is YES the reason is not at all about protection its about shine, That's All. I feel the shine is a little better with some wash and wax soap's. With added wax or silicone's the lubricity might be increased also.

I am sure sellers of products will not tell you that you will not get protection but do what you like its your hard earned cash...:howdy
 
Is it as good as a stand alone wax or sealant? Heck no.
Is it a good standby in winter months to add a little shine and protection? Yes.

Does it work? Yes.
 
Ronkh said:
Is it as good as a stand alone wax or sealant? Heck no.
Is it a good standby in winter months to add a little shine and protection? Yes.

Does it work? Yes.
Click to expand...
Then why not use regular wax if it is not cold enough to keep a wax in water from working why wouldn't wax work also.

It seems that you are saying a normal wax can not be used because it is too cold so use wax in water just don't make sense to me if one works then the other should too.
 
black bart said:
Then why not use regular wax if it is not cold enough to keep a wax in water from working why wouldn't wax work also.

It seems that you are saying a normal wax can not be used because it is too cold so use wax in water just don't make sense to me if one works then the other should too.
Click to expand...


different emulsion of wax .... ;) Super Slick & Wax does work in cold weather ( of course above freezing) and works well :rockon
 
Poorboy said:
different emulsion of wax .... ;) Super Slick & Wax does work in cold weather ( of course above freezing) and works well :rockon
Click to expand...
Well then it is different that is what I was trying to find out..
I have never tried using anything in cold weather no point I have a warm garage that and I stopped using wax several years ago.
Since I started using sealant it is not necessary to apply it in the winter months I apply a coat every fall and other than wash to keep it clean that is all I need to do until the following fall.

I still think I would go with Charles idea I can't see myself trying to wash or wax a car when it was only 45 or 50 degree's. :wow:
 
if you read his first post he is asking about about WASHING. he clealy states he is UNABLE to wax in the cold weather..so I stand with Ron on recomending Super Slick&Wax...even if it doesnt work its the same price as the regular carwash so he has absolutly nothing to lose. Obviously we all know it can't compare to a handwax and will not holdup long, but many of us aren't lucky enough to have a heated garage..so if we carefully read what he was originally asking, I think we can all agree that YES, if you cannot wax in the winter but can wash, use a wash&wax soap. There is absolutly nothing to lose
 
Poorboy said:
different emulsion of wax .... ;) Super Slick & Wax does work in cold weather ( of course above freezing) and works well :rockon
Click to expand...

I was told by a chemist that when wax is emulsified the wax is not gonna do much in the ways of protection. Is that true?????????? This is the same as any liquid wax vs, a paste wax. TRUE ????????????? Where does the silicone come into play here??

Please remember that 1 flake of wax per 1 55 gal drum is enough to say the product contains "WAX". This said how is this gonna protect anything other than a manufactures wallet?

If the formulator was in anyway (honest) " for lack of a better word" they would add what %%% of the product was wax. At that point you could compare products nose to nose.

As I said before I like most of the wash and wax soap's I have used. Most add some extra shine at completion of the wash and dry. I have never thought I was ever gaining any protection while washing with this type of soap.
 
Dtrick.22 said:
if you read his first post he is asking about about WASHING. he clealy states he is UNABLE to wax in the cold weather..so I stand with Ron on recomending Super Slick&Wax...even if it doesnt work its the same price as the regular carwash so he has absolutly nothing to lose. Obviously we all know it can't compare to a handwax and will not holdup long, but many of us aren't lucky enough to have a heated garage..so if we carefully read what he was originally asking, I think we can all agree that YES, if you cannot wax in the winter but can wash, use a wash&wax soap. There is absolutly nothing to lose
Click to expand...

Validation.
Thank you.


njcarting1 said:
I was told by a chemist that when wax is emulsified the wax is not gonna do much in the ways of protection. Is that true?????????? This is the same as any liquid wax vs, a paste wax. TRUE ????????????? Where does the silicone come into play here??

Please remember that 1 flake of wax per 1 55 gal drum is enough to say the product contains "WAX". This said how is this gonna protect anything other than a manufactures wallet?

If the formulator was in anyway (honest) " for lack of a better word" they would add what %%% of the product was wax. At that point you could compare products nose to nose.

As I said before I like most of the wash and wax soap's I have used. Most add some extra shine at completion of the wash and dry. I have never thought I was ever gaining any protection while washing with this type of soap.
Click to expand...

I can tell you it beads well for a couple of weeks after.
 
It's funny that some of the biggest "nay sayers" are fans of Aquawax".

Now we know that aw isn't really wax, it's a sealant.

It's a sealant that works with water.

But we all "know" that selants and moisture don't play well till after cured.

hhhmmmmmm
 
Ronkh said:
It's funny that some of the biggest "nay sayers" are fans of Aquawax".

Now we know that aw isn't really wax, it's a sealant.

It's a sealant that works with water.

But we all "know" that selants and moisture don't play well till after cured.

hhhmmmmmm
Click to expand...
I use AW but never use it on a wet surface. Reason being it is much better if used on a dry surface.

I also never attempt using a wax on a wet surface for the same reason.

After all the posts about waxing with soap I'm still going with Charles idea of finding a place with heat to do it right.

Here we have quarter car wash that have overhead doors at each end of the bay in cold weather you close the doors and for a few extra quarters you have heat.
If you were to go to one at off hours you could wash and wax in their with heat.

The OP could do like Charles suggested and use a friends garage my friends use mine.

Their are any number of alternatives that would be better than trying to wax your car with soap in 40 degree weather.

Years ago before I had a garage I would rent the wash bay at a gas station to do mechanical work on my car in cold weather..
They seldom used that bay and was glad to get the extra income.

I know if I was faced with the same problem as the OP I would come up with an alternative to trying to add a durable protection in the cold.
 
Yes it would be the best idea, but still..WHY NOT use a wash and wax soap when it is the same price!!!!!! It won't offer any lasting solid protection but using that vs. a regular soap is a no brainer. Can you answer me this, How will that have a negative effect on his car or his wallet?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top