Temp for Detailing

[mis3]

The local temperature tomorrow is 8c. Is it too cold for Clay, UC and ULW?

[Murr1525]

Re: Temp for Detailing

Ehh... probably the too cold for much work from the UC.

Maybe a cleaner/wax and then wax if out in the sun.

[mis3]

Re: Temp for Detailing

My car is due for the full detailing job. I do clay / UC / Wax / Wax only once a year. I do wash and wax wax often for the rest of the time.

It reads like UC is the only product in my list which needs to be applied in warmer temperature. I will wait but what is the minimum temp for UC to work well?

[Show 'N' Shine Car Detailing]

Re: Temp for Detailing

Well it's going to be 52-54 here tomorrow (3-20) and it's going to be 54 by afternoon, but I'm starting a detail at 8 am, which will be only 30 some degrees. I will be using UC for this car. I guess if I find when I start and it doesn't look to be doing the webbing removal, then I may tell the customer to bring it back another time. I'll at least do the interior and everything else. We'll see.

[mis3]

Re: Temp for Detailing

I guess we better wait.
I have found this comment by Michael Stoops back in Nov, 2009:

30 degree weather may pose some fairly serious issues for you - the product may become gummy, it may be very difficult to remove, and it may not give you the work time you want and need. We don't recommend using any of our products in temps below about 55F or so, though many have gotten decent results when temperatures drop a bit below that. But in the 30s? We really don't recommend working when it's that cold. Obviously availability of a heated garage can change all that.

[Show 'N' Shine Car Detailing]

Re: Temp for Detailing

Come to think of it, I used it, UC, when it was in the mid to low 40's when I did the mustang. This one just in the last couple weeks. It did fine. I have all my products stored in my basement during the winter, around 60 degrees or so, so it was not just taken from a cold garage and used.

[mis3]

Re: Temp for Detailing

Let us know how it turns out.
I am sure many of us are anxious to detail our cars now that the weather is getting warm.

[C8N]

Re: Temp for Detailing

I've done 2 cars using UC with a DA at mid 40's F and no issues.

[mis3]

Re: Temp for Detailing

Don't know if higher temp would bring out better effects.
BTW. I am doing this by hand.

[Murr1525]

Re: Temp for Detailing

Well, if the surface is too cold, the UC will be harder to work around. If you cant work it around with some passion, there wont be as much defect removal.

[Jack93]

Re: Temp for Detailing

Sorry to change topic a little but, is there also a temperature for which a clay bar has to be at or over to work to its full extent?

[Murr1525]

Re: Temp for Detailing

If you cant knead it, or the QD is freezing on the surface, it is probably not going to work... but you could warm the clay up as you go.

[Jack93]

Re: Temp for Detailing

I thought I read somewhere that clay needs conditions of atleast 55*F to work. When I used it on my car it was about 45 degrees outside and i had no issues kneading it. I was just thinking maybe its not as sticky if the air is too cool so it won't pick up everything it should.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Temp for Detailing

the only thing that the clay will do will be very hard.
if you put the clay on the paint without any lube it will stick so your theory that it won't work isn't true.
As long as your above freezing you should be fine.
Put warm water a few drops of car soap and that should help. Micro wave the clay for a few sec to loosen it up if it gets to stiff.

[mis3]

Re: Temp for Detailing

I will wait for warmer weather to do the full detailing. It's 5-6 hours work so I would like to get the full effects of the products.
I will just use Mirror Glaze Cleaner Wax to tie me over.