How does weather affect detailing?

[sirwaxalot]

Does temperature affect polishes and their correction abilities? Just wondering what temperatures make polishes work best or if a vehicle could be too cold or warm to get proper results? For example if its cold out would a more aggressive polish be needed for the same amount of correction that could be done on a warmer day? Just a few questions I was thinking of on a cold rainy day in PA.

Eric

[killrwheels@autogeek]

humidity and rain (wet) are bad words around paint sealants while curing the first 8-24 hours.

[David Fermani]

Some polishes (like Menzerna) *can* be difficult to work with in high humidity. I've never had any problems with polishes or LSPs in cold temps.

[SanAndreas]

Cold temps will cause the chemicals in sealants to react and bond much more slowly. You should wait longer to remove and much longer to layer them. That does not answer the original question though.

[sirwaxalot]

thanks guys, I just wondered if the vehicle being cold would change the length of time it would take to correct.

[badhemi]

i did an experiment on this this past winter in my shop. all the work was done on the same vehicle. product used was xmt 1-4. 1st day i let the temp in the shop get down to 45 and did some work on swirls. as expected it took longer to work the product. on day 2 the temp was set at 55 and things were better but still slow to breakdown. day 3 at 65 things were much better and the breakdown process was almost back to normal. i would have to say a good working temp for this product is around 70

[TOGWT]

•Surface Temperature (Actual surface temperature of the vehicle) between 50 (10oC) and 80 oF (26oC) products will work well within a much broader temperature range, i.e. 45° to 90° F (4.5-32oC) but at 45 degrees it will take much longer to dry, perhaps as much as two to three hours) but the best results will be achieved in the 60° to 70° F (15-21oC) range surrounding air temp (ambient or room) must be 55oF (12oC) + to ensure the minimum vehicle surface temperature of 50oF (10oC) which is recommended as a minimum by most car care product manufacturers.

Higher temperatures will cause the solvent oils in polishes / waxes to flash leaving no surface lubrication, which will lead to surface marring (hence the advice ‘do not use in direct sunlight’)

•Ambient Temperature (outside air or surrounding air temperature) (ambient or room) should be 55oF (12oC) + to ensure the minimum vehicle surface temperature of 50oF (10oC) which is recommended as a minimum by most car care product manufacturers

•Relative Humidity (Moisture content of the air)- RH 50% +/-10%

•Inside Air Temperature (Room Temperature) 70 – 75oF +/- 10oF (21-24oC +/- 12oC) and 50% relative humidity +/- 10%

•Air movement or windy conditions will increase the evaporation rate but potentially make some products more difficult work with, especially sprayed products. Perversely this can lessen wax / sealant drying time.

•Product Temperature- 40 – 50oF (8 - 10oC) is a good product temperature working range

•Swipe Test after sufficient drying times do a quick swipe test with your finger, if no smearing or drag is evident; the residue is ready to be removed.

[TOGWT]

Originally Posted by David Fermani

Some polishes (like Menzerna) *can* be difficult to work with in high humidity. I've never had any problems with polishes or LSPs in cold temps.

Temperature and / or humidity can affect the oils or wax used in Menz polishes. But then they are formulated for production-line work in controlled conditions

[David Fermani]

Originally Posted by TOGWT

Temperature and / or humidity can affect the oils or wax used in Menz polishes. But then they are formulated for production-line work in controlled conditions

You're correct. OTOH, I feel that there's still alot of variances in a "controlled" environment. Even though I've never specifically toured any production lines in Germany, I have been to several plants in Michigan & 1 in Italy and they can get relatively warm & humid in the extreme summer months. I'd have to guess that it would have to be somewhat humid for their polishes to not play nice. I've only experienced gumming up with SIP/106FF on 1 occasion, and it was pretty hot/humid that day.

Under what circumstances have you had problems working Menzerna?

[D&D Auto Detailing]

Menzerna doesnt like temps under about 55*.