Winter prep wax question

[lone_wolf025]

I know ideally I should either get a full detail and polish done to the car, but I'm not willing to pay for one and I don't have a porter cable...yet. As it is I've washed, clayed, and used some mother's cleaner wax. I put on a coat of regular wax a month or so back so I could probably do that again.

What else should I consider? Should I apply another coat of synthetic wax and a sealer and call it a day? Any other suggestions?

[cardude007617]

id like to hear the answer to this too. me and lonewolf both live in the same climte and i assume his ga is a DD like mine is.

[lone_wolf025]

i assume his ga is a DD like mine is.

It most certainly is a DD. I WISH I had the kind of money to have two cars...;crap

[cardude007617]

i take it chicago dumps on the salt as well dont they? THATS why im interested in this thread, cuz i dont want to have a rusted car in spring.... :/

[lone_wolf025]

i take it chicago dumps on the salt as well dont they? THATS why im interested in this thread, cuz i dont want to have a rusted car in spring.... :/

Dump salt on the roads? What are you talking about? You have it all backwards! See, we just add a little road surface to all the salt.

[cardude007617]

lol ya........during winter time our parking lots turn WHITE. i think it has to do something with melting or something...







(loads of salt for the epic loss....)

[lone_wolf025]

Well on the bright side there was a story in the Sunday Trib about the city testing patches of iceless pavement. My understanding is basically that its a treated surface that absorbs de-icer chemicals and releases them slowly preventing the formation of ice. Works better than salt, so much so they're looking into putting it in more roads.

[Mike Jung]

Well, at least they don't also use Brine there lol
(Salt water spray de-icer)

:(

[lone_wolf025]

They use it all around the airport, so I get plenty of it from them.

[2003SCT]

As far as a full detail/polish goes, I wouldnt worry about one...esp. if you dont want to fork out the $$ for one. Save that until spring where you can appreciate the shine in the spring/summer sun.

If the main thing you are trying to accomplish is keeping the car "safe" throughout the winter, I would do a solid wash with dawn (to remove any road grime, wax etc) clay bar it if you want to and apply a solid one to two coats of sealant/wax/synthetic product to your paint. This should keep you set for the winter months.
To keep your underbody from rusting, pressure wash the underbody as often as reasonably possible throughout the winter to help deter corrosion on the metal.

When spring arrives, pick up a porter cable or hit somebody up local to you to get a nice detail done up and enjoy.

I spent the first 20 years of my life in Southern Wisconsin so I know how the winter snow/salt thing goes. You can only do so much next to not driving it. My GA has spent its whole life in the southwest and looks like it just rolled out of the factory. My S10 is from WI and looks like the underbody came off the Titanic.


CHRIS

[lone_wolf025]

I see. Well I'll have to throw on another coat of wax then. I'm not too worried about it all, just want to get into the practice of properly taking care of the paint.

[cardude007617]

so you just wax it. period? what wax for this use would u reccomend (i have a silver car if it matters....)

To keep your underbody from rusting, pressure wash the underbody as often as reasonably possible throughout the winter to help deter corrosion on the metal.
um...too late....... lol

[lone_wolf025]

Any decent synthetic wax will do I would think. The pure carunuba (sp?) waxes don't last for more than a couple weeks and are better for show and shine than protection.

[cardude007617]

give me some product names FTW lol.

[Metallman56]

i put on 2 coats of Mothers Synthetic as late in the season as possible. i like to do so in mid to late november. right before the first snow. water will bead until the snow stops. i wouldnt really worry too much about the PC thing, cause your car is going to be dirty for most of the winter. just put 2 coats of a good synthetic on, and call it good.

[Metallman56]

give me some product names FTW lol.

Mothers Synthetic
Megs NXT Tech Wax

OR

you could you a sealer like Klasse

[Mike Jung]

But remember that synthetic waxes or sealants do not build-up in coats.
They just remove the previous coat, when you put a new one on.

Natural waxes, like Carnauba wax will allow for layering of coats.
(As long as there are no cleaners or polish in the wax.)
But do not last as long.

So don't bother trying to put multi-coats of synthetic wax or paint sealant on.
Just put it on if it has been awhile & you want the most protection; by putting a fresh coat on.

The best would be put a fresh coat of synthetic wax or paint sealant.
& then follow-up with a coat(s) of Carnauba wax.
Especially, in the summer time...as Carnauba wax gives it a deeper shine.

PS lone wolf: Put a fresh coat of wax on now.
But wait until the spring for a full detail/polish.
& then start fresh with a new coat of wax or paint sealer.
& then you could layer on coats of Carnauba wax through the summer.

[GregFarz78]

optimum compound
optimum polish
optimum wax

reapply the wax every few car washes over the winter

[coupe]

But remember that synthetic waxes or sealants do not build-up in coats.
They just remove the previous coat, when you put a new one on.

Natural waxes, like Carnauba wax will allow for layering of coats.
(As long as there are no cleaners or polish in the wax.)
But do not last as long.

So don't bother trying to put multi-coats of synthetic wax or paint sealant on.
Just put it on if it has been awhile & you want the most protection; by putting a fresh coat on.

The best would be put a fresh coat of synthetic wax or paint sealant.
& then follow-up with a coat(s) of Carnauba wax.
Especially, in the summer time...as Carnauba wax gives it a deeper shine.

PS lone wolf: Put a fresh coat of wax on now.
But wait until the spring for a full detail/polish.
& then start fresh with a new coat of wax or paint sealer.
& then you could layer on coats of Carnauba wax through the summer.

Where did you get that info at Mike?
As long as their isnt cleaners in them they are layerable, nuaba or synthetic.

I personally dont believe in layering, ive never found it to make a difference in longevity or looks.

[Mike Jung]

Where did you get that info at Mike?
As long as their isnt cleaners in them they are layerable, nuaba or synthetic...
Most/if not all the OTC stuff they sell here have cleaners, or polish in synthetic wax or paint sealers.

So I kinda assumed...that other stuff out there OTC have it as an all-in-one type wax.


But I refer any experience on detailing to you coupe.

[Metallman56]

mike that would be correct if it were a all-in-one type wax. those are worthless to buy imo, cause nothing really does it all. but if you buy a good synthetic wax like something i listed above, you can put as many layers on as you want.

[2003SCT]

I dont layer for additional product, but I do 2 coats of protectant always just in case I missed any areas. Makes me sleep better at night hehe:)



CHRIS

[99blackSE]

Any decent synthetic wax will do I would think. The pure carunuba (sp?) waxes don't last for more than a couple weeks and are better for show and shine than protection.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/images/uploads/colinite476s.jpg

:cool:

For durability I either use the Klasse Twins or that little beauty above. That or 845, I have gotten at least 2 months out of them and they were still going strong.

[WeibSunder]

Has anyone used "Nu Finish" car wax?

[WeibSunder]

Has anyone used "Nu Finish" car wax?

Come on, I'm sure at least one person has.

[coupe]

Run a search on autopia.org