[mfourn20]

Well I think I waited a little to long to prep my car with a nice coat of wax for the winter...It's still got the dealers very thin coat on it which I can't imagine holding up for the winter.

Anyone know a good detailer in the RI/Southern MA area? I don't have a garage and I'm not so sure about waxing it when it's about 35-40 degrees out. I'm really just looking for some winter protection.

Thanks!

[zipphreak]

Haha, i just bought a polisher, and some real nice Wolfgang Deep Gloss 3.0 Sealant. Sealants are better than waxes, and last longer. This one is supposed to be really good for winter time, and says it can last up to 6 months. I have to wash my car first, then polish, and then I'll apply the sealant for the winter. Detailing is a pretty intricate process



Applying anything with no cutting would be ok, waxes, sealants.. But anything with cut, I need to practice on proper technique I do have a garage, I am slowly installing a heater in it for this exact purpose, and then some better lightning for detailing. You are more than welcome to try it out. I have a 6" Porter XP 6124XP Dual Action Polisher, w/ 6.5" CCS Pads. Just pay for the pads and sealants

[overcoil]

OP what makes you think the dealer's very thin coat is no good?
Any product once buffed out or left to dry protects the paint by being a very thin coat. The description of polymer-bonding leaving a protective shield is probably more marketing then an accurate description of how the product finalizes on the paint.
It's probably better to attempt to get in hand washings during the cold temps then detailing at this time.
Anyway 40-degrees is good washing weather, and waiting till the temps hit 60-degrees so you can wax, won't harm the paint.

[zipphreak]

Can't wait to get this heater installed, then i can do most of the detailing indoors.

Also the Wolfgang Deep Gloss 3.0 takes 12 hours to fully cure before it can get wet/damp.

[mfourn20]

Sorry thin wasn't the right choice of words...obviously all protectant is thin...hastily and carelessly applied is probably a better choice of words. The waters still beading so maybe it'll be OK all winter.

My wife and I will be buying a house in about a year. A garage with hot water access is a must. You're going to laugh... I put my winter wheels on yesterday and washed my summer wheels in the bathtub. Actually made it very pleasant to do...nice and warm...my wife doesn't care..she knows i give the tub a full detail afterwords. I've been doing this during the winter foR my road bike for years.

Zipp I imagine the polisher will make waxing much easier. I've always done it by hand..I like washing my car but claying/waxing is a pain.

[overcoil]

I also didn't intend to minimize the importance of waxing, and trying to knock out a wash and wax on a warm day during the winter.