Well here in northern Minnesota temps have been unusually cold, average of 42 for a high the last two weeks and to add to that we have already had our first snow fall. I have just ordered my winter tires Bridgestone Blizzak Ws80 for my spare wheels.

Things should be warming up next week to around the mid 50's and thinking it's a good time to get the paint ready for winter/salt time. What are you recommendations on a wax or sealant to use after claybar and anything else you guys may think I may need to do for my winter prep?

 

Unless its in bad shape I wouldn't bother to clay before winter. Use a couple of layers of a good sealant like Meguiars #21 or Duragloss #105 ot even FK1000. Also I tape over some of the vulnerable spots with electrical tape.

 

My pre-Winter plan:

Clay (using fine clay)
Polish with DA using Blackfire total polish & seal
One coat of Blackfire Wet Diamond
Two coats of Blackfire Crystal Seal

Hope to accomplish two things:
1) Give the car the max shine
2) give it lots of protection against salt and winter road grime

 

A couple layers of a good durable sealant will do a lot more good than a pretty one. Other thing is as often as you can take the car to the spray wash and use the wand and the rinse only. This will rinse out salt & chemicals form hidden channels and get the salt etc and the crud off the paint. The soaps in those car washes is pretty harsh and will remove the sealant in a few washes.

 

I will be doing a clay n wax on my car this weekend. As much as I don't want to drive her in the snow this year I might have to. I'm from Minnesota too so prepping before the salt hits the road is a good idea

 

Are these products fine applying by hand? I do not have a DA, i'm looking to by a Flex XC 3401 by the time spring comes around.

 

I never apply sealants with a DA , always by hand . DA is more intended for polishing and correction. Flex is overkill for the weekender. Look at the Griots DA.

 

I'm going to try using Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax this winter on a weekly basis - will probably hose it down before using though to get the major crap knocked off. My garage isn't heated but generally stays above freezing unless the temps really dip below zero so I *can* do a two bucket wash if I want but I don't like spending much time in a cold garage.

Blackfire Wet Diamond goes on like a wax - so you can easily do it by hand. Blackfire Crystal Seal is a simple spray on and wipe down process so you can only put it on by hand.

Blackfire Total Polish and Seal is a very mild polish (light to no cutting) so it's not really for paint correction as much as bringing up the shine - so you *can* do it by hand - it's a fair amount of work though and the results will be good but not quite as good as you'll get with a DA. I'm speaking from experience there!

 

I normally go with a good 2BM wash, clay, followed by a few coats of Collinite 476 for the winter.

I'll wait until spring to polish because I'll have a ton of new scratches due to salt/sand all over the roads.

 

so heres my dirty clean coat along the drive side door...

 

clean clay bar




from lower part of the front bumper had no idea it was this bad

 

it got dark out but paint looks new and super smooth after clay and wax

 

All great products and suggestions to protect from the winter months.

Our shop prepares cars for winter by

- wash
- decon/clay
- 1 step polish
- and a good sealant.

Menzerna Power Lock, Collinite 845, Sonax Polymer Net Shield, 1Z einszett Glanz are a few we know work extremely well in the winter months.

A couple of coats/layers will ensure good coverage.

As Jestzen mentioned wash the car when you get a chance to remove salt and protect again with a good spray wax or spray sealant.