Does snow and freezing temps harm your paint?

Chris's FX4 said:
As long as you have a quality sealant/wax on the paint, trim, glass, etc..., I would think you should be fine. I would be more concerned with the tires and battery from sitting so long.


I know its a Porsche, but it really isn't any different than the millions of cars that also sit outside in the winter ...

My truck is my Porsche and is outside 24/7, and the 10year old paint still looks really good.
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This is my reasoning. I have a neighbor with a very nice black Benz that sits outside 24/7 as his garage has been converted to living space. The Benz stil looks great. As good as my Porrsche. So I ask again, is it doing any damage? I cant help but feel that people are answering based on it being a Porsche instead of the question does it harm the paint. Well I do hear the concern of sliding ice.

Kristopher1129 said:
Obvious problems being ice forming, then melting and sliding down the paint, salt exposure, wind gusts, possible hail storms, etc.
leaving it outside, allowing snow/ice to develop, and removing the snow/ice can cause harm. It may be light scratches, or it may be deeper scratches. If it's light scratches...then yeah, polish it out and your good. Coming out of winter with light swirling and scratches would be the best results you can ask for IMO.

P.S. Not all scratches buff out.
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I know all scratches dont buff out. I was referring to the swirls left behind when the car cover is removed. We don't see much hail and my BMW had snow wiped off it quite a bit and the color and paint condition was just fine. Thats what has me leaning toward putting it out doors and covering it or just letting the layers wax protect it. Probably going to be a mild winter anyway.

BBTW- My driveway has a swing over pot allowing cars in the garage to pass.
 
The only thing that is remarkably different on a Porsche is the size of the bill handed to you by the service advisor at the dealer. It's paint. Treat it like the rest of your cars and go live life. Collinite is a great winter coat and I would definitely look into a nano coating. Your area is not known for heavy winters anyhow and this one has been super mild.

I am on my fourth PCar and I kept them all garaged. To protect the pristine paint? Nope. I just liked looking at them at night under the track lighting. Very soothing.
 
Rhudeboye said:
I cant help but feel that people are answering based on it being a Porsche instead of the question does it harm the paint.
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SS or BC/CC paint?

Today's modern BC/CC paint systems are quite evolved from their "crackling-beginnings" at the onset of the BC/CC era.

Their "ingredients" will now allow a tolerable degree of expansion/contraction, enough so that even the winter's cold temps and the summer's heat...even when considered extreme...should not compromise an isocyanate polyurethane paint film that's been heat-cured in the OEM factories paint kitchens' ovens at over 275 degrees F. The clear-coat also has UV protection.

Even though they're very thin, they also the most durable paint system to date.

Just use the common sense approach if the vehicle becomes snow-bound/ice-laden. Usually if a winter storm has your vehicle encased in a layer of ice...Your not going on any road-trips for awhile anyway. The upcoming Spring (about two months from now), and the warmth it will bring, will make good riddance of any unwanted solid-water particles.

I personally wouldn't use an outdoor car cover.

Put a layer or two of your favorite LSP on the vehicle; and, be sure to not park it on grassy surfaces.

:)

Bob
 
FUNX725 said:
SS or BC/CC paint?

Today's modern BC/CC paint systems are quite evolved from their "crackling-beginnings" at the onset of the BC/CC era.

Their "ingredients" will now allow a tolerable degree of expansion/contraction, enough so that even the winter's cold temps and the summer's heat...even when considered extreme...should not compromise an isocyanate polyurethane paint film that's been heat-cured in the OEM factories paint kitchens' ovens at over 275 degrees F. The clear-coat also has UV protection.

Even though they're very thin, they also the most durable paint system to date.


I personally wouldn't use an outdoor car cover.
Bob
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Great info. I'm going to google the storage unit as Jan is almost over. It will only be 2 months of storage. Kinda judging if its wasted money though. I live in a safe neighborhood and the car will be on my property.

It's going to be 30 degrees tomorrow morning- Sigh. It would be so nice to just hop in and go with out adding extra time to my already busy morning routine.
 
To me, the first rule in garaging cars is the most valuable ones go in the garage first, especially in implement weather. I'm assuming your Porsche is your pride and joy. Putting your pride and joy outside so your DD can be in the garage is just crazy, IMO. Maybe the Porsche needs to be in storage somewhere in another garage, since you don't seem to drive it as often.
 
Rhudeboye said:
I know all scratches dont buff out. I was referring to the swirls left behind when the car cover is removed. We don't see much hail and my BMW had snow wiped off it quite a bit and the color and paint condition was just fine. Thats what has me leaning toward putting it out doors and covering it or just letting the layers wax protect it. Probably going to be a mild winter anyway.

BBTW- My driveway has a swing over pot allowing cars in the garage to pass.
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Sounds to me like there's no problem then. Put it outside.
 
Rhudeboye said:
Dilemma- 2 car garage, 3 car family

So I own a Porsche and a Lexus GS. My wife has a new Camry. Typically the Porsche shares the garage with the Cam as the lil lady will not be scrapping windows in the morning.

But lately, I'm getting tired of scrapping windows and sitting in an ice cold car. So heres my question.

If the Porsche goes out doors for he winter what damage might I be exposing the paint to if any. So far we've had no snow but we do get snow in MD but nothing crazy like VT.

Is a car cover a good solution or a bad idea?

What do non garage owners do?
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I understand your predicament, but for me things are very simple.

Porsche "sleeps" nice and cozy inside the garage
Camry stays inside as well to please your lady, and keep her mornings nice and easy.
Lexus stays out. (After market remote start is a great idea)

Last but not least. Cars are meant to be driven, Drive the Porsche twice or three times a week.
 
Rhudeboye said:
This is my reasoning. I have a neighbor with a very nice black Benz that sits outside 24/7 as his garage has been converted to living space. The Benz stil looks great. As good as my Porrsche. So I ask again, is it doing any damage? I cant help but feel that people are answering based on it being a Porsche instead of the question does it harm the paint. Well I do hear the concern of sliding ice.
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It's hard to put prudence and common sense aside in any theoretical situation comparing a Camry to a Porsche. However, if paint durability was the only factor that has variation between the 3-4 cars mentioned, the odds are favorable that the Camry and Porsche's paint lifecycle would mimic the Benz. At some level assuming a quality maintenance program is in place, "paint is paint" and "protection is protection". There is nothing I have heard in 20+ years illustrating Porsche paint has qualities and characteristics considered much better than a Benz (or vice versa). It's hard to stop right here because it is never as clear-cut or simple. This is my strict answer to your specific question raised to the forum members. Hope this helps....
 
FUNX725 said:
I can't believe that you would even consider leaving the PORSCHE outdoors....Anytime of the year!!!


:)

Bob
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That was exactly what was going through my mind! My jaw almost hit the table!

As far as the OP, I would buy a really nice jacket and gloves and keep the beast tucked away for the winter. I think there are a lot of different opinions on the car cover, I did use one before and found it marred the crap out of my paint. Never again, for me.
 
Blackthorn One said:
To me, the first rule in garaging cars is the most valuable ones go in the garage first, especially in implement weather.
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IMO...How does one define "most valuable"?

The first:
New-off-the-dealership's-lot vehicle purchase of my Wife's is garage-stored, year 'round, irregardless.

Now, even though some folks have made comments to the effect that:
This particular vehicle "isn't worth the money to tow it away"...She is of a difference of opinion. Big difference, to say the least!!

Accordingly, I have found that the 'coldness', nay, even the hue, of my butt sliding/sitting on a frigid DD seat during winter's inclement weather, would pale in comparison to the red-glow that would emanate from the hind-side of my Wife's beautiful neck, if the year 'round garage storage of said vehicle were otherwise.

I've found that: Honoring this assessment of hers has added an undefinable "most value" to my life-cycle.


;)

Bob
 
FUNX725 said:
IMO...How does one define "most valuable"?

Accordingly, I have found that the 'coldness', nay, even the hue, of my butt sliding/sitting on a frigid DD seat during winter's inclement weather, would pale in comparison to the red-glow that would emanate from the hind-side of my Wife's beautiful neck, if the year 'round garage storage of said vehicle were otherwise.

I've found that: Honoring this assessment of hers has added an undefinable "most value" to my life-cycle.
Bob
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LOL. So true.

Again, I knew what I was in for when posing a "Porsche out doors" question to gear heads like you guys. I hear some reasoning on the issue at hand, while others feel I'm nutz. Hey I understand.

Blackthorn One said:
To me, the first rule in garaging cars is the most valuable ones go in the garage first,
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The Blue book on the Lex is actually worth more then the blue book on the Porsche. But that's not the main issue as my comfort factors into the picture as well. I Don't want any of the cars scratched up or damaged. Storage is the route Im leaning towards. but I must say. I had a taste of the Lex in the garage next to the Porsche for 4 days while the wife was away, and I liked it. I really liked it.
 
Leave the Porsche outside and worry not considering the torture testing Porsches go through and never has the exterior come into question. If you were to drive through winter then leave it outside with winter grime and salts on it then you could expect issues. Leaving it out in the elements will allow you to really get your money's worth out of your LSP, and you get to see how well it reacts to repelling snow.:)
Chances are that you won't have ice issues unless the snow is melting then flash freezes, or it rains with freezing wind chill. Either way your LSP should not allow sheets of ice to form. The evidence from your neighbors' cars should be enough evidence that your Porsche will be fine for two months, unless a hail storm comes though. :)
 
LOL it's currently snowing in MD. 1st snow of 2012 and we had a dry Dec.
 
Rhudeboye said:
LOL it's currently snowing in MD. 1st snow of 2012 and we had a dry Dec.
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Well, right now this very minute, we're getting pelted by freezing rain, sleet, with a 1/4" of ice already on the Wife's Jeep...All this turning to snow by 4:00 am Saturday...expected 3-5" accumulation. Not too drastic of a weather event.

I'm going out at 6:00 am to broom the snow & beat the ice off her Jeep so she can go to work...(I'm such a nice guy).

I'll personally let you know what one of the answers to your thread's inquiry could be, right after I arise from taking a quick Saturday morning nap.

:)

Bob
 
FUNX725 said:
I'll personally let you know what one of the answers to your thread's inquiry could be, right after I arise from taking a quick Saturday morning nap.
Bob
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Look forward to it buddy. I doubt we'll get more then an inch or so b morning. But as I look at the Lex with a coating of powder on it, I realize that the Porsche has much better protection as I've pampered it for years. The Lex has gotten one wash and wax.
 
ShaunD said:
Leaving it out in the elements will allow you to really get your money's worth out of your LSP, and you get to see how well it reacts to repelling snow.:)
Chances are that you won't have ice issues unless the snow is melting then flash freezes, or it rains with freezing wind chill. Either way your LSP should not allow sheets of ice to form.
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FUNX725 said:
Well, right now this very minute, we're getting pelted by freezing rain, sleet, with a 1/4" of ice already on the Wife's Jeep...All this turning to snow by 4:00 am Saturday...expected 3-5" accumulation. Not too drastic of a weather event.
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Finally...I'll get the chance to see how my Detailing prowess will perform in inclement weather.
What an opportunity to observe the repellancy of these winter-elements from the vehicle, with a two-layer application of Turtle Wax's "Super Hard Shell Liquid Wax"...Ample product testing, IMO...And seeing if I'm getting my money's worth out of this LSP as well. :D

Bob
 
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