Detailing in winter

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ConeArrow27

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I am going to fully launch my mobile business soon. Im sure it seems crazy to do in winter but I figure if i can succeed in winter the rest of the year should be ok.

Plus im extremely motivated

I am doing onr mostly for now until i grow and learn more.

Any thing i need to know for doing onr in winter? Whats the lowest temp i should do? I figure long as its above freezing ill be ok.
 
It's damn cold here in kansas right now I'm using onr in about 25-30 degrees works just like any other time of the year just a little more of a pain to dry
 
I wash my van this way in Cleveland, Ohio: Buy a two gallon pressure pump sprayer ( $18 ) to pressure spray car first w/ plain water, then use same washer to spray ONR on vehicle, then spray a waterless wash product one panel at a time and wipe gently while partially un-rolling a MF towel after every swipe. This technique exposes a fresh MF section large enough to be used for one swipe. 32 swipes can be obtained from one 16 x 16 MF towel. ( 16 x 16 = 8 squares, 4 swipes per sq. = 32 swipes per towel). The total area you see from the side of a folded MF towel should be all that is necessary per swipe of the paint.
Follow by a spray sealant or wax. I like Wolfgang Spray Sealant.
 
expdetailing said:
I wash my van this way in Cleveland, Ohio: Buy a two gallon pressure pump sprayer ( $18 ) to pressure spray car first w/ plain water, then use same washer to spray ONR on vehicle, then spray a waterless wash product one panel at a time and wipe gently while partially un-rolling a MF towel with every swipe. This technique exposes a fresh MF section large enough to be used for one swipe. 32 swipes can be obtained from one 16 x 16 MF towel. ( 16 x 16 = 8 squares, 4 swipes per sq. = 32 swipes per towel). Not bad.
Follow by a spray sealant or wax. I like Wolfgang Spray Sealant.
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Ok thanks!
 
I use a LOT of Eco Smart waterless wash from CG during the winter months… I heat up the garage to about 80-90 degrees and go to work! Works great and especially when it gets below zero, I have the cleanest car around!!
 
expdetailing said:
I wash my van this way in Cleveland, Ohio: Buy a two gallon pressure pump sprayer ( $18 ) to pressure spray car first w/ plain water, then use same washer to spray ONR on vehicle, then spray a waterless wash product one panel at a time and wipe gently while partially un-rolling a MF towel after every swipe. This technique exposes a fresh MF section large enough to be used for one swipe. 32 swipes can be obtained from one 16 x 16 MF towel. ( 16 x 16 = 8 squares, 4 swipes per sq. = 32 swipes per towel). The total area you see from the side of a folded MF towel should be all that is necessary per swipe of the paint.
Follow by a spray sealant or wax. I like Wolfgang Spray Sealant.
Click to expand...
Yup, similar to what I do in the winter. Except I use my 2-gal Gilmour tank sprayer to spray a waterless solution (currently UWW+ until I use it all up) onto a panel before going at it with ONR rinseless. Here in the Seattle area, winters hover around freezing temps so I can do rinseless washes with the garage door open! 2 vehicles every weekend is my limit, fortunately we only have 2 vehicles! :)
 
You can fill a bucket with warm water and ONR with a Gamma Seal lid with microfiber towels using the GDWM or use warm water in two buckets with a Grout Sponge. This way you should be able to wash down to the 20's. Waterless Wash and detail spray will freeze on the car if it is too cold but you could always use the warm water in the ONR bucket as pre spray solution.
 
Real Riders said:
You can fill a bucket with warm water and ONR with a Gamma Seal lid with microfiber towels using the GDWM or use warm water in two buckets with a Grout Sponge. This way you should be able to wash down to the 20's. Waterless Wash and detail spray will freeze on the car if it is too cold but you could always use the warm water in the ONR bucket as pre spray solution.
Click to expand...

Essentially what I do on cold days too. Works well, although I'm trying to figure a way to carry a bit more water and find a way that I can heat it efficiently while out at a job. I've thought of a tankless water heater, but still debating it. This method works great for one car that isn't really dirty. Multiple cars in the same day and/or really dirty cars and you start running into issues with only about 5 gallons of water.
 
Go to a farm supply store and buy a submersible water heater. They are typically used to prevent the animal's drinking water from icing over. In a small area (like a 5 gallon bucket) you will have 100+ degree water in about 10 mins.

Sent from my N9810 using AG Online
 
jarred767 said:
Essentially what I do on cold days too. Works well, although I'm trying to figure a way to carry a bit more water and find a way that I can heat it efficiently while out at a job. I've thought of a tankless water heater, but still debating it. This method works great for one car that isn't really dirty. Multiple cars in the same day and/or really dirty cars and you start running into issues with only about 5 gallons of water.
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Here is a great bucket heater that I've been using for years. http://www.amazon.com/Allied-Precis...&qid=1416146447&sr=8-1&keywords=bucket+heater

The only problem I've had is that sometimes it snaps the breaker.
 
If I was starting my business in winter, especially in colder areas of the country, I wouldnt expect dreams to come true over night. Id recommend focusing on getting your website to rank for spring and getting all your ducks in a row and launch in spring. If you pick up a deal here and there on your way then great but like i said id focus on getting your website to rank until spring.
 
buy a kettle. one kettle of hot water into a bucket of cold water makes winter bearable.
 
Consider renting or leasing a garage space for the winter months so you can work. I know I would not be detailing during the winter if it was not for my detached two car garage.

I turn my salamander heater on, grab a few gallons of warm water for ONR washing, crank up my headphones and go to work.
 
Focus on interiors that don't require a lot of water to do (save for steam and extractor)

Work one panel at a time with a bucket of hot ONR solution using the GD rinseless method. It's already been below zero here and it's just about the only method that works.

For your personal car, take buckets of hot soapy and rinse water to the DIY wash and do your thing there late at night when they aren't busy.
 
I've been trying to come up with some ways to wash my car when it's cold out. I don't want to go to the car wash, and my garage is too cold to wash it in there. I'm hoping that I can use a product like ONR to get some of the salt and crud off between washes.
 
That bucket heater looks cool, but... 150°+? That would scald in less than five seconds.
 
mills3 said:
I'm hoping that I can use a product like ONR to get some of the salt and crud off between washes.
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A pressure washer would go a long way towards taking care of the salt and crud, and uses comparatively little water. On a sunny day, even if it's 30° out, your car shouldn't freeze over. PW one panel then do the ONR/wipe. A spray wax like D115 or DGAW will make it all pop and protect it a while longer. The best move is to start the season with a tough double coat of something like Collinite 845 Insulator Wax so dirt has less to cling to.
 
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