I've searched a few pages of threads about washing your car during the winter and stuff. But, I am wondering about detailing other peoples cars even in the cold. I live in St. Louis and anyone from here can tell you how unpredictable the weather is here. It can seriously snow for a week straight then jump up to 65 degrees in a day... with snow still on the ground. I remember on one New Years Eve, it was 72 degree outside... then went back to freezing a couple days later. So, I guess it would be a good idea to show some integrity and dedication to press on through the cold months here and detail cars. That way, if someone from the local car forums I am a sponsor on know that I detail year round, they may hit me up to get it done on a randomly-generated decent day. I want to know what products work well OUTSIDE in the cold. Mind you, it sometimes gets below 15 degrees, but its not very common (during the day at least) Pretty much, what I have come up with so far is: Pre-wash- Run car up to local self-serve to spray off any major crap? or ONR Wash- 2BM using warm water and ONR Drying- Waffle weave towel ASAP or metro Vac'n'blo (blows pretty warm air) Clay- well, I guess I wont have much problem here? Polish- Considering you heat up the paint a bit doing this, will it be a problem? Wax- 1Z Glanz. The description on DD says it can be applied in temps as low as 0*F. Probably the most important thing I should say is that I do not have a closed garage (on hand) that I can use. I have a 2 car garage that has 4 vintage motorcycles on one side, and a bunch of crap on the other side. Not to mention, there is really no room to fit a car in there. When I bought my subaru, I cleaned out one side and tried parking in there for about a week... there just isn't any room to get around the car.... and Im fat... so that doesnt help. However, the house next to mine has been abandoned for over 4 years. The neighbors moved out, never put it up for sale, and pay someone to mow the lawn. It has a 2 car car-port. That's where I park and do most of the detailing because of the shade and it makes it look like someone lives there. I guess what i am ultimately asking is, what can I do to keep up on detailing without a proper garage and heat? I suppose I could put up some tarps to close in the car port to diminish wind chills. I doubt running a space heater in there would prove useful at all due to the lack of insulation. .... or am I just screwed and have to wait till spring?
The problem with warm winter weather is that generally means if there is snow on the ground you'll get a mess of nasty slush. A car will last only about an hour or 10 miles before brine and dirt builds up. However, I agree, most people will need to have a self-spray to remove the heavy stuff. Then many finish up by using ONR in a heated garage. Most polish and wax coats work best in temps over 50degree F from what I've heard. So the heated garage is key. Even a non-heated and somewhat insulated garage can stay above the freezing point for a few weeks even when the outside temp is below freezing.
