Winter Prep

Marksman · 09-25-2003, 09:38 AM

What do I need to do to prep my GA for winter? I'm guessing I will have to wash, claybar, wash, zaino, zaino, zaino. Any tips or tricks you guys use for winter?
Also, do you hand wash your car during winter too? Or to you take it to a car wash?
Thanks
-Marksman

VaGT · 09-25-2003, 10:57 AM

Late October, I generally put a few coats of Zaino on. It lasts all the way through winter no problems.

I always have to take my car to the car wash (since the hose in the apt community was taken down). I use the manual ones obviously, and go during off peak times so I can bucket wash. They don't like you to bucket wash when people are waiting in line. The water is heated, so that is a benefit.

I only clay bar in the spring - to get the winter mess completely off.

Panacea · 09-25-2003, 11:03 AM

Pretty much what VaGT said. I just wash, and zaino mine before november, then I just wash it a few times (or more) in the winter.

Also, I put wax on the rims and leave it on. That's about it.

09-25-2003, 12:32 PM

i usually stick my car in the garage with a heater... a wax it in october. mine has ALOT of coats of wax on it already, but one more wont kill me

rims come off in early november (back to the nasty 15"s

). This is the first winter with my kit, so i'll see how that goes. if it sucks, i'll get a replacement bumper (since that the snow plow part). I doubt i will have problems though. going to my girls house might be hard since she lives on a county road

-derek

killerhound · 09-25-2003, 07:20 PM

I live in northern Indiana and we have a lot of salt on our roads in my town...should I be washing my GA every chance I get to avoid rust from the salt, or what? This will be my first winter having the GA out.

Panacea · 09-25-2003, 10:15 PM

My car's been through 3 winters, always have it waxed or zaino'd. Wash it maybe 3-4 times throughout the whole winter and don't have a spot of rust.

killerhound · 09-25-2003, 10:20 PM

So, really what I want to do is give it a good Zainoing and waxing, and don't wash it more than a few times in the winter, to keep the paint protected with the wax? Would it hurt to spray the salt and sand from my wheelwells?

SC/TGrandAm · 09-26-2003, 06:41 AM

no no no wash your car in the winter, after a big snow when it clears up wash the car and get that shiat off! the longer you leave it the more it causes damage, scratches paint, etc. And esp in the winter take it to the automatic and wash under the car really good, wheel wells and get all that salt and crap out from under your car. Thats where your rust starts anyways.

Definately put a layer or two of wax on before the first snow, probably early november. claybar if you want but dont have to till spring.

VaGT · 09-26-2003, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by killerhound
I live in northern Indiana and we have a lot of salt on our roads in my town...should I be washing my GA every chance I get to avoid rust from the salt, or what? This will be my first winter having the GA out.

At the very least, if you have a mess of salt on your car after a snow storm, take it to a manual car wash or a no touch car wash to rinse the salt off. ...even if you don't want / have time to fully wash it.

Also.. the tip about getting the salt off the underside of the car is a good one too. I do this as well.

VaGT · 09-26-2003, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by killerhound
So, really what I want to do is give it a good Zainoing and waxing, and don't wash it more than a few times in the winter, to keep the paint protected with the wax? Would it hurt to spray the salt and sand from my wheelwells?

If you wax, you'll need to wax once a month or every other month if you wash weekly. Wax wears off easily.

Zaino will easily last a complete winter.

...and its Zaino or wax - you don't do both.. one or the other.

09-26-2003, 08:17 AM

also... just a little note. if you have salt on your car. DO NOT rub your car in anyway. or sit/lean on it... etc.. Someone did that to my first car when i was 16 and it scratched the hell out of it.

as for cleaning your car in the winter... hell yea do it as often as you can. I usually clean mine twice a month when its snowing/cold out. I also have a garage so it stays pretty well clean in the winter time. I just bought a heater a while ago and i'm looking forward to cleaning my car in a heated garage

-derek

killerhound · 09-27-2003, 05:36 AM

Sorry, I've never personally used the Zaino yet. I work in a detail shop, so when I wash my car, I bring it in and , since it's heated, I'll wax it if I have the time...take it it is good to wax in the winter-time, since I have access to the heat and whatnot? Thanks everyone.

2002GT · 09-27-2003, 09:19 AM

Man.... That sounds like a lot of work... Good thing I live down south,

09-27-2003, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 2002GT
Man.... That sounds like a lot of work... Good thing I live down south,

... yea... salt is much more dangerous than hurricanes...

j/k

-derek

VaGT · 09-29-2003, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 2002GT
Man.... That sounds like a lot of work... Good thing I live down south,

You live in the south where the sun melts off wax in 3-4 weeks... so you aren't that lucky.

CruzinGT33 · 10-06-2003, 10:01 AM

Ok.. I haven't had the car too long.. and I'm gonna have to winterize it pretty soon... I have to ask.. what is Zaino?

PACE · 10-06-2003, 10:55 AM

I'm bummed that winter is coming.....but I'm just going to put on some clear headlight covers to protect my lenses and maybe a full bra.....Thow in the 15" steelies with the Blizzex tires and take off my chin spoiler.....add a coat of wax and............ bring it on old man winter!!!

10-06-2003, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CruzinGT33
Ok.. I haven't had the car too long.. and I'm gonna have to winterize it pretty soon... I have to ask.. what is Zaino?

www.zainobros.com

some expensive but kick ass wax, wash, etc etc

-derek

2002GT · 10-06-2003, 12:18 PM

Hmm... My wax seems to hold up just fine... Good Luck my winter friends

z5oh · 10-16-2003, 06:51 PM

one more thing....the best time to wash the car is when its got slush/salt it and the temp is around the freezing mark or above...thats when the most damage is done with the salt....if its well below freezing, and everything is froozen on the car, the salt does not do as much harm, but it would be nice to get any build up off ASAP

Also remember to get a garden hose or whatever and get the wheel wells, especially the lip in the fender and inside the rocker area (under the gt ground effects) Some of the automatic washes with the underneth sprayers do not get these parts.

09-25-2003, 09:38 AM	#1
Marksman Got Street Glow? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Grand Forks, ND Age: 35 Posts: 331 Vehicle: 2000 Camaro Z-28	Winter Prep What do I need to do to prep my GA for winter? I'm guessing I will have to wash, claybar, wash, zaino, zaino, zaino. Any tips or tricks you guys use for winter? Also, do you hand wash your car during winter too? Or to you take it to a car wash? Thanks -Marksman __________________ R.I.P. 97 GAGT Welcome 2000 Camaro Z-28!

09-25-2003, 10:57 AM	#2
VaGT Go Steelers! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Woodbridge, Va Age: 44 Posts: 842 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT1	Late October, I generally put a few coats of Zaino on. It lasts all the way through winter no problems. I always have to take my car to the car wash (since the hose in the apt community was taken down). I use the manual ones obviously, and go during off peak times so I can bucket wash. They don't like you to bucket wash when people are waiting in line. The water is heated, so that is a benefit. I only clay bar in the spring - to get the winter mess completely off. __________________ 2001 Grand Am GT1 75th Anniversary Edition Purchased new 6/14/01

09-25-2003, 11:03 AM	#3
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	Pretty much what VaGT said. I just wash, and zaino mine before november, then I just wash it a few times (or more) in the winter. Also, I put wax on the rims and leave it on. That's about it. __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience."

09-25-2003, 10:15 PM	#6
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	My car's been through 3 winters, always have it waxed or zaino'd. Wash it maybe 3-4 times throughout the whole winter and don't have a spot of rust. __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience."

09-26-2003, 06:41 AM	#8
SC/TGrandAm Newbie AKA: Kyle Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI Age: 39 Posts: 2,944 Vehicle: 2008 Accord	no no no wash your car in the winter, after a big snow when it clears up wash the car and get that shiat off! the longer you leave it the more it causes damage, scratches paint, etc. And esp in the winter take it to the automatic and wash under the car really good, wheel wells and get all that salt and crap out from under your car. Thats where your rust starts anyways. Definately put a layer or two of wax on before the first snow, probably early november. claybar if you want but dont have to till spring. __________________ 2008 Accord EX-L Coupe 2002 GA SCT- R.I.P HID Pioneer http://www.myspace.com/Kleigou

09-25-2003, 12:32 PM	#4
balludc Guest Posts: n/a	i usually stick my car in the garage with a heater... a wax it in october. mine has ALOT of coats of wax on it already, but one more wont kill me rims come off in early november (back to the nasty 15"s ). This is the first winter with my kit, so i'll see how that goes. if it sucks, i'll get a replacement bumper (since that the snow plow part). I doubt i will have problems though. going to my girls house might be hard since she lives on a county road -derek

09-25-2003, 07:20 PM	#5
killerhound GAGT - Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Age: 36 Posts: 382 Vehicle: 2000 GAGT	I live in northern Indiana and we have a lot of salt on our roads in my town...should I be washing my GA every chance I get to avoid rust from the salt, or what? This will be my first winter having the GA out.

09-25-2003, 10:20 PM	#7
killerhound GAGT - Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Age: 36 Posts: 382 Vehicle: 2000 GAGT	So, really what I want to do is give it a good Zainoing and waxing, and don't wash it more than a few times in the winter, to keep the paint protected with the wax? Would it hurt to spray the salt and sand from my wheelwells?

09-26-2003, 08:17 AM	#11
balludc Guest Posts: n/a	also... just a little note. if you have salt on your car. DO NOT rub your car in anyway. or sit/lean on it... etc.. Someone did that to my first car when i was 16 and it scratched the hell out of it. as for cleaning your car in the winter... hell yea do it as often as you can. I usually clean mine twice a month when its snowing/cold out. I also have a garage so it stays pretty well clean in the winter time. I just bought a heater a while ago and i'm looking forward to cleaning my car in a heated garage -derek

09-27-2003, 05:36 AM	#12
killerhound GAGT - Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Age: 36 Posts: 382 Vehicle: 2000 GAGT	Sorry, I've never personally used the Zaino yet. I work in a detail shop, so when I wash my car, I bring it in and , since it's heated, I'll wax it if I have the time...take it it is good to wax in the winter-time, since I have access to the heat and whatnot? Thanks everyone.

09-27-2003, 09:19 AM	#13
2002GT GAGT - Junkie AKA: Nick Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Southeast Posts: 3,817 Vehicle: Charger 392	Man.... That sounds like a lot of work... Good thing I live down south,

10-06-2003, 10:01 AM	#16
CruzinGT33 JustinX AKA: Justin Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Southern Illinois Age: 37 Posts: 738 Vehicle: '01 GAGT Silver Coupe	Ok.. I haven't had the car too long.. and I'm gonna have to winterize it pretty soon... I have to ask.. what is Zaino? __________________ Going to the Dark side, '05-'06 Tibby... i know, I know. My Cardomain Page "What?!?" "Oh, I hope noone **** on my coat!!"

10-06-2003, 10:55 AM	#17
PACE Woooo Woooooooo ! AKA: Jason Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Clarkston, MI Age: 43 Posts: 2,514 Vehicle: GRAND AMERICAN	I'm bummed that winter is coming.....but I'm just going to put on some clear headlight covers to protect my lenses and maybe a full bra.....Thow in the 15" steelies with the Blizzex tires and take off my chin spoiler.....add a coat of wax and............ bring it on old man winter!!! __________________ Grand Am---Long gone. 2009 Yukon Denali with 4" drop on 24" black Escalade wheels -- in the garage 1970 Impala convertible triple black - In the Garage

10-06-2003, 12:18 PM	#19
2002GT GAGT - Junkie AKA: Nick Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Southeast Posts: 3,817 Vehicle: Charger 392	Hmm... My wax seems to hold up just fine... Good Luck my winter friends

10-16-2003, 06:51 PM	#20
z5oh GAGT - Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: niagara falls Posts: 131 Vehicle: 2003 Grand Am GT1 SC/T	one more thing....the best time to wash the car is when its got slush/salt it and the temp is around the freezing mark or above...thats when the most damage is done with the salt....if its well below freezing, and everything is froozen on the car, the salt does not do as much harm, but it would be nice to get any build up off ASAP Also remember to get a garden hose or whatever and get the wheel wells, especially the lip in the fender and inside the rocker area (under the gt ground effects) Some of the automatic washes with the underneth sprayers do not get these parts.

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