Better to detail before snow or after snow ?

Oz_TCH

Oz_TCH

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So I'm an amateur detailing enthusiast. Couple weeks ago, I told wife's friend I would detail her car for her. We had agreed for her to drop car off this evening (Friday) and she can pickup Saturday evening.

Well weather man said snow this weekend, starting Saturday evening and on to Sunday.

Wife's friend said may be we shouldn't do it this weekend because of snow. She doesn't want my work to go to waste.

I told her it was up to her but IMO its better to do it before than after because her paint will then be protected against snow and salt, etc. And after snow she can perhaps take it to brushless car wash to get the shine back, it won't be wasted.

Was that good advice ? or is her concern valid ? and that detailing after snow was better.

Pls advise.
 
It really matters not.. One snow storm with road treatment isn't going to make or break it regardless if the paint is protected or not. IMO, a full detail should probably wait until sprig, then just do maintenance in the winter months. Your friend is right, having you spend all that time to decontaminate, correct and protect in front of a pending storm is fruitless.

I moved to AZ from NH, and I can state that full details happened between mid-April through end of September, early October. After that business trailed off for full correction/coatings etc... Everyone in NH knows what's in store between November through March...
 
Most compounds, cleaning agents, detergents, etc. will not work as intended (or at all) close to freezing temperatures. They will not get activated, will not dry or cure in ample time, or will not be able to bind properly. Similarly plastic trim will get more brittle and your hand will also get less sensitive, the finger movements less precise in cold, which in turn means you'll cause damage easier and with higher likelihood to the car. A heated garage might help there, but be still not ideal.

So, my answer would be, that it's best to detail before or after winter time, but not during it. Whether you're before or after snow, doesn't matter in this regard.
 
Now I would just decon wash it and apply protection if you have a warm garage. Then when spring comes the full detail with decon and correction and protection.

/ Tony
 
I agree with all these guys, perhaps spring is best and only a decon/protect now; but I don’t think u were wrong in what you told her. It probably would suit her to have protection on sooner if u have a semi-warm garage.

She’s probably thinking that a detail is only a cleaning and why clean before the car gets dirty? We know that protection will make cleaning easier in the future and protect against further contamination for the near term.
 
I say before, during and after. Detailing is something that we all enjoy and most of us (like me) will make up any excuse to work on a car. Our fellow members make valid points about all of the hard work going to waste but there are some detailing activities that won't go to waste like cleaning the interior windows, cleaning and applying protectant to the interior and floor mats, applying a sealant and allowing it to cure overnight in a garage.
I would say that it would be a waste to perform a complete three step paint correction, but go ahead a give that lady a clean car.
 
This is making me want to go outside and do a thorough waterless wash with Megs D114 and apply a fresh layer of sealant right now... I personally like to have my vehicle protected before this kind of rain hits. Plus who doesn’t like watching some good strong beading?

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If you have a heated garage there's no issue. I detail all winter long here with great results

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Eldorado2k said:
This is making me want to go outside and do a thorough waterless wash with Megs D114 and apply a fresh layer of sealant right now... I personally like to have my vehicle protected before this kind of rain hits. Plus who doesn’t like watching some good strong beading?

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Click to expand...
Sure, rub it in why dont ya while some of us are suffering through a cold Winter!

As far as the question is concerned, I agree with everyone. It is best to detail throughout the year as long as the products allow you to use them in cold temperatures. No need to hurt your reputation because a product was used in a less than perfect environment.

If you do it, make sure to post pictures! Good luck!

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I get after my car all winter long! As long as it doesn't get too cold down in the garage I'm good to go. It has to be pretty cold outside to keep me from being able to do anything down in the garsge. So far this winter it's never dropped below 45, so I've been down there twice a week

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DETAILROOKIE said:
Sure, rub it in why dont ya while some of us are suffering through a cold Winter!
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Hey that’s pretty extreme. It’s gonna rain for like 5 straight days and 1 of those days it’s gonna get down to 49 degrees! That’s insane.⛄️lol.
 
I like Uncle Davy's comments i.e. give her the service of cleaning her car...she'll be happy.

Being in Tampa I really can't comment on harsh weather conditions but do adhere to the "protection at all times" element. I wouldn't apply an LSP that neds to be kept dry for a couple of days but I would like a good, robust layer of something to combat the harsh elements.

What I liked about Davy's comments is to think more comprehensively...many customers admire the interior freshening as much if not more than the paintwork being done. I say provide a service you get paid for that she will appreciate now.

Then book her back in the Spring.
 
Eldorado2k said:
Hey that’s pretty extreme. It’s gonna rain for like 5 straight days and 1 of those days it’s gonna get down to 49 degrees! That’s insane.⛄️lol.
Click to expand...

Ok, Ok...us in northern climes give up :bat: :cry:

In all seriousness it's great folks get those kind of temps in January. I have a heated garage so I work all year long but it is much nicer when the work you put into a detail/wash/polish/... does not disappear under snow and/or salt the first time out.

And to answer OP, before - during - after. It's not a one and done thing in my book.
 
Wife's friend drop the car off yesterday. Worked on it last night and today.
Done and delivered just before snow.

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Did the interior too... she had stuff all over, took liberty of putting all her stuff in a box, left them in the back seat.

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Cheers.
 
Yea that looks really good!

What’d you use on the seats?

Put that box in the trunk! Lol
 
Results look awesome and it will shed all the crap it will see from the weather easier now.
 
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