NXT Liquid Tech Wax

[DavidL]

Just waxed my car today.How long does tech wax take to setup before it should get wet? Todays coat is my second and the low tonight is 7 with a high tomorow in the mid 20

[Mike Phillips]

Generally speaking it's best not to get a fresh coat of wax, (any company's wax, or paint protectant), wet for a window of time for approximately 24 hours to insure all the ingredients that are going to set-up, will have set-up.

Here's some more related information.

NXT Tech Wax Cure Time

[DavidL]

24 hours even at 7 deg. there is snow on it's way tomorow night?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by DavidL
24 hours even at 7 deg. there is snow on it's way tomorrow night?

I can double check with R&D but when they say a 24 hour window of time, I'm pretty sure they've considered the variables and included them already. But I will check.

Remember, we're talking about a chemical process not a drying process, at least as far as I know so temperature may slow things down but not prevent them from happening.

[DavidL]

Thanks Mike

[SVT Lightning]

Just curious....did you NXT in a heated garage or out in the 20 degree cold?

[DavidL]

I work at a auto dealer and did it inside, tonight was shop night. We also have a car wash inside with reverse osmosis rinse water

[Ranger72]

Originally posted by DavidL
I work at a auto dealer and did it inside, tonight was shop night. We also have a car wash inside with reverse osmosis rinse water

Lucky!!!!!!!!!! Reverse osmosis is great!!!!

[DavidL]

we can use it twice a week for FREE!!

[DavidL]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
I can double check with R&D but when they say a 24 hour window of time, I'm pretty sure they've considered the variables and included them already. But I will check.

[Mike Phillips]

Here's the skinny...


Cold temperature will negatively affect cure time. Officially Meguiar's does not recommend applying any of our paint care products below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

For best performance and to insure any of our waxes will properly dry and set-up, stay within the temperature ranges recommended in our FAQ on this topic. When working in the colder range you will need to allow for more time for a wax to dry and set-up.



From our FAQ


4. What temperature ranges are best for applying cleaners, polishes, and waxes?

When we talk about surface temperatures, we need to consider three factors:

• Surface Temperature
• Ambient Temperature
• Relative Humidity
• Surface Temperature (Actual surface temperature of the vehicle)

The best surface temperature range for applying cleaners, polishes, and protectants is approximately 60 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. More importantly, the surface does not feel warm or hot to the touch.

Basically, when you're working within this temperature range, it's not too cold, and it's not too warm to realize exceptional results from just about any Meguiar's product.

Meguiar's products will work easily within a much broader temperature range, such as, 50 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but guaranteed best results will be achieved in the 60 degrees to 80 degrees range.

Ambient Temperature (Outside temperature)
Ambient temperature is the room temperature or the temperature of the surrounding environment. It's easily possible to have between 10 to 50 degrees difference in ambient temperature compared to surface temperature. This can make the difference between a product that's easy to work with, or hard to work with. Keep in mind, the hotter the ambient temperature, the quicker products will dry.

Humidity (Moisture in the air)
Simply put, humidity is moisture in the air. Technically there is Relative Humidity and Absolute Humidity, but as it relates to:

• Applying
• Working with
• Curing, drying, hazing
• Wipe-off or removal of car care products.

The simple explanation of moisture in the air, or more specifically, the amount of moisture in the air is the major factor, which will affect how easily or potentially difficult a product will be to work with, or a procedure will be to perform.

Low humidity, in warm to hot temperatures, will act to cause liquids to evaporate and dry more quickly. This can make a product difficult to work with or decrease the amount of time the product remains easily workable on the surface.

High humidity in cold temperatures can make products hard to work because it can dramatically increase the amount of time necessary for the product to cure, dry or haze (depending on which product you're using).

Low humidity in low temperatures tends not to be a factor in working with, cure times, and when applying and in the removal of cleaners, polishes, and protectants (Low temperatures are a factor, but not low humidity in low temperatures).

High humidity in high temperatures tends not to be a factor in working with, cure times, and when applying and in the removal of cleaners, polishes, and protectants (High temperatures are a factor, but not high humidity in high temperatures)

Extreme temperatures, both cold and hot will make any product more difficult to work with.

Direct sunlight
Direct sunlight will dramatically increase the surface temperature compared to ambient temperatures and make cleaners, polishes and protectants extremely more difficult to apply, work and remove.

Air current/Wind
Air current/air flow, or windy conditions will act to increase the evaporation speed and potentially making some products more difficult to apply, work, or remove. In some cases this can be a bonus, helping a wax to cure/dry more quickly.

Summary
The best conditions for using cleaners, polishes and protectants on automotive paints would be in a cool place, out of direct sunlight, in a surface temperature range between 60 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with comfortable to low humidity, with a light breeze to create the perfect conditions for detailing your car's finish.

Common sense and a good rule-of-thumb is to avoid applying any product if the surface is too warm to touch with the palm of your hand comfortably.

50 degrees Fahrenheit = 10.0 degrees Celsius
90 degrees Fahrenheit = 32.2 degrees Celsius

[Scott]

I just got a new car and would like to give it a coat of NXT. However, here in Omaha, the highest temp this week will be the high 30's. I have a garage, but I doubt it will be much warmer in there. So, should I wait a month or so for a day in the 60's or just go ahead and do it now? I would like to get some protection on the paint as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Scott

[Murr1525]

I like the cleaner/waxes this time of year, like ColorX and the red-bottled Consumer one. They always seem to work well in these temperatures, as opposed to trying to use separate cleaners/polishes, etc.

Nxt should work in those temperatures, but if the surface isnt prepped, with cleanerand polish, or cleaner/wax, I think you may have a harder time with it.

[Scott]

Since the car is brand new, is it necessary to do any prep work? Also, since I keep all my car care products in the garage, will the cold temps effect any of them?

Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Scott
Since the car is brand new, is it necessary to do any prep work? Also, since I keep all my car care products in the garage, will the cold temps effect any of them?

Thanks!

Hi Scott,

It's sad to say that just because a car is brand new doesn't meant it doesn't need any prep work, often times dealerships add swirls to the paint because they get the car ready for sale using cheap products, poor technique and unqualified people to do the work.

Hopefully, your car's finish escaped any harm. Best thing to do would be to pull the car out into the sun after washing it and visually inspect it as well as feel the finish for above surface contaminants.

If it looks and feels good, then you still might want to wait till it warms up or find a way to heat up your garage a little as cold temperatures make it hard for wax to fully dry.

Also, as long as the temperature in your garage isn't getting below freezing, your products should be just fine.