How to battle hot garages in spring/summer?

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Sixbanger

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Mike,
It's very difficult detailing my car during the spring and summer seasons in south Florida in my garage. I've tried everything I could and it just boils down to me having to postpone full details til fall!!! Yes. I've had to wait.very sad indeed : ) Got any suggestions?
 
Real early in the morning maybe ! it s what I would do , but South Florida s pretty hot & humid on Summer time .
 
The only way to combat the heat is to have an insulated building to keep the heat out.

Ventilation and air circulation is another option to keep your working environment tolerable.

Air conditioning is another solution and if the building is insulated it'll maintain the temperature at a reasonable cost.

Work outside in the shade and hope for a breeze.
 
I use 30" portable fans. I move them around as I work on my cars.

I also keep a small refrigerator stocked with water in my shop.

Stop occasionally, relax and admire your work.

Sometimes I still need to stop and go inside to cool off...
 
You can buy a portacool about 500 for a small one, that will lower the humidity and air temp by 20-30 degrees. Or buy a 30" fan with a fine mist system, that should help with the humidity. You can find the system at tractor supply or academy. Hope it helps
 
I have an uninsulated garage in Miami. I bought a blower fan, and then also have a few small fans I turn on. Once the sun goes down and it "cools" off, the fans help bring the garage atmosphere to a tolerable warmth where I can actually work in it. Its brutal during the day.
 
Anyone start sweating so bad it starts dripping on the finish? That's irritating.
 
Luckily my garage is insulated and completely drywalled and the garage door is insulated so next Spring I am having a window put in the outside wall that way I can put in a window A/C unit and use when I detail.
 
I have a small window fan that helps a bit. Having a fridge in the garage is nice, but is does generate some heat.
 
Here in East Texas it is not only hot but humid. I consider the humidity to be the detailer's because problem. There is no way fans in a garage will help. When it is over 100 degrees each day and high humidity you must have air conditioning to work. And the bright sun is like a blow torch. That is why my detail work is done only in the spring, fall and winter. This climate explains why there is just one pro detailer in the entire region known as "East Texas"! Thankfully, I only have a couple vehicles to care for.

When a car needs some attention I get up early and put on my head-lamp and start working the interior and the wheels. With the dawn I am able to wash and my topper is on just as the sun reaches over the roof. The car is done by the time the sun hits my driveway. Working in the garage can't happen because it is too hot and outside the heat, coupled with the high humidity hazes every product. There is no LSP for example, either wax or sealant, that will not haze and become very difficult to remove in this kind of humidity. The only thing I can do for between detail protection is top my car wash with AquaWax (it is very difficult to work in humidity but it is worth it). For occasional gloss boost and dust removal the best working product in this kind of heat and humidity I have found is Griot's Speed Shine.
 
Shortspark said:
Here in East Texas it is not only hot but humid. I consider the humidity to be the detailer's because problem. There is no way fans in a garage will help. When it is over 100 degrees each day and high humidity you must have air conditioning to work. And the bright sun is like a blow torch. That is why my detail work is done only in the spring, fall and winter. This climate explains why there is just one pro detailer in the entire region known as "East Texas"! Thankfully, I only have a couple vehicles to care for.

When a car needs some attention I get up early and put on my head-lamp and start working the interior and the wheels. With the dawn I am able to wash and my topper is on just as the sun reaches over the roof. The car is done by the time the sun hits my driveway. Working in the garage can't happen because it is too hot and outside the heat, coupled with the high humidity hazes every product. There is no LSP for example, either wax or sealant, that will not haze and become very difficult to remove in this kind of humidity. The only thing I can do for between detail protection is top my car wash with AquaWax (it is very difficult to work in humidity but it is worth it). For occasional gloss boost and dust removal the best working product in this kind of heat and humidity I have found is Griot's Speed Shine.
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SWLA, the humidity is killer during this time of year I detail late afternoon to early morning on weekends in a shop. I did it during the day this past weekend and it was work for 40 min and 10 min water breaks, im going back to nights.
 
I use fans, just move them around while I work. The humidity this summer is less than it is in the Northeast. Where I was originally from the humidity has been higher and temps higher than here in Southwest Florida.
 
If you cannot afford the ac,porta cool is the way to go,we get serious humidity in Baltimore and it works great
 
At least you have a garage. I do all my work in the driveway. I spent about an hour yesterday evening vacuuming out the car and cleaning the windows. I was pouring with sweat by the time I was done.
 
A lot less boring then sitting in a sauna! Wrap yourself in a towel and enjoy it!
 
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