How to prepare for winter (car picture inside)

[kimandbrad21]

Hello everyone! I have that long awaited question, I have a 1991 toyota corolla le, man 91' was along time ago, I have two kids and I am married so I cant get the Megs DA that I want, Ive been hand detailing cars sense I was 14. I got the rolla from my grandma and grandpa due to my grandma not being able to drive it. Sense I got it from them the car has undergone alot of work because I want to keep it for a long time plus you cant beat 35mpg in the city.

I have a few questions now that you know about the car. What do I do to the single stage paint that is random around the car? I know that 90% of the car is clear coated. The rear bumper is single stage... the mirrors are single stage. The rest of the car has a decent clear coat that is a little hard. No clear coat failure.

I want to make sure that it is protected agaisnt the winter snow and salt. The car stays outside 24/7 and is drove every day, its our family car, sense our other cars are 99 civic si's.

I am going to do a full detail soon and it will be the last one of the year in the up-coming months. but I need some input on some protection that will last.

I am planing on:
Wash: Dawn dish soap at a high level to remove everything from this summer. I may do a double wash with the dawn. with the last one a little lighter on how much is used. with a good rinse.
Next I will do a 2 step with the M105/M205 again all by hand.
Next: mothers cleaner wax
Next: IPA 50/50 wipe down
Next: Megs Gold Class paste wax
Final and Topper: Liquid Soloveran*sp?

I am going to do all of the wheel wells with Megs APC 4-1
then Top with some 303 wipes on all the plastic wheel well parts
And hit all the window seals and trunk seals with 303 as well.

and all windows will be treated with rain-x to help with ice removal

I am not too worried about the interior because that can be cleaned whenever.

thank you for your help in advance. just trying to keep it protected and looking good!

 

[Larry A]

Forget the ipa wipe down after mothers cleaner wax. Use Liquid soverign or Gold Class not both . After useing M205 you shouldnt need Mothers cleaner wax. Whatever LSP you use put on 2 coats for complete coverage.After useing Gold Class or Soverign whichever you use , you car use the other in a month or two.

 

[Dubbin1]

You seem to have forgotten the claying step If you want the LSP to last over the winter then you better forget about a carnauba wax and find a good sealant.

 

[TheGLL]

I would go with the same thing...clay bar after the wash and a good sealant at the end.
You could top your sealant with a wax.
Don't add a coat of souveran and gold class wax; it's a waist of time.

P.S. : Winter is coming for me too...I hate. winter!

For this winter, my prepartion will be Klasse sealant and Collinite 845 wax.

 

[sullysdetailing]

Wash
Clay
M105/M205 by hand
Apply Sealant (Wolfgang, Poorboy's World or 4 Star)
Apply Wax (12 hours after sealant Liquid Natty Blue, Max Wax, Liquid Souveran, Poorboy's Natty)

Honestly if it was me. I would Wash the vehicle then Clay the vehicle. Then I would apply 2 coats of Sealant (2 hours apart) then I would apply 1 coat of Wax and save the polishing for the spring.

To keep your vehicle clena during the winter look here
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/28918-how-wash-your-vehicle-winter-months.html

 

[Dubbin1]

Honestly if it was me. I would Wash the vehicle then Clay the vehicle. Then I would apply 2 coats of Sealant (2 hours apart) then I would apply 1 coat of Wax and save the polishing for the spring.

:iagree:

 

[kimandbrad21]

thank you everyone for your replies and yes i forgot all about claying, oh god how did i do that! but i will look into getting a sealant for the winter months, instead of the wax only. that does make sense.

i will look over my steps and add some things in here and there and remove things. this is why i ask so many things maybe one day i'll get it right! thanks everyone