What is the recommended routine for protecting the car for the upcoming winter months? We're talking Canadian winter, not southern-States winters here. Snow, salt, freezing rain -- all the fun stuff.

I already thoroughly cleaned the interior with Lexol leather cleaner and conditioner, vacuumed the carpets and Scotch-guarded them, and cleaned and protected the dash and other non-leather areas with 303 protectant. I also carry a Swiffer Duster in the car at all times to eliminate those super-annoying dust particles and stuff from taking over the dash.

I'm more concerned about the exterior. I gave the car a thorough cleaning, clay-bar, polish, and caranuba wax in June. I have been doing hand-washes once a week since then. However, should I go with one more good coat of wax before winter, or do I HAVE to go with a polymer sealant? What is recommended? I have a plethora of Mother's pure caranuba wax, so I'd rather not spend more money on more detailing supplies unless absolutely necessary.

What else should I consider for winterizing the car? Rain-X for the windshield to help alleviate the sleet/freezing rain from sticking?

Thanks!
~Eric

 

Nubas will never give you enough protection for a Canadian winter.....Polymer/Acrylic protection is the best. Klasse which is difficult, or Zaino, which I have never used appear to provide about the longest protection. Collonite is a Nuba with outstanding protection for such, Four Star UPP, Blackfire, man, theres a lot better then Nubas, available. Just make sure you use somehing though, youll appreciate the effort come thaw season......How much you appreciate it at that time depends on what you decide to do NOW......

 

definitely go with a synthetic polymer/sealant they just last a lot longer than carnuba's do. all the brands excel mentioned are great, Klasse is my favorite, but you'll need to dedicate almost a full day going through the process. klasse can be expensive 60-80 for full kit, but your paint will love you for it.

 

Your car is in for a tough time this winter. Your car's paint, tires, glass, plastic and other surfaces will be at the mercy of the elements, including wind, rain, sleet, snow, sand, gravel, salt and road oil. Fall is your best opportunity to inspect and prepare your car with a protective layer, giving your car a fighting chance. Your car's paint, tires, leather and rubber trim all need touching up in the fall, even if you have cared for them all summer. Not to mention, it's time to do some final polishing and increase your protection on every surface of your car. My advice is to 1. seal the paint 2. treat the interior 3. clean, treat, and dress your tires and wheels. I also advise spraying the inner wheel wells with something like Sonus trim and motor kote. This will give a slick layer of protection, which will allow the snow that gets caught up inside there to just fall right off. Also...change your wipers to winter, and make sure your get an oil change right before the snow hits. Have your charging system checked, and be sure to use quality windshield washer fluid. Brrrr....it's gonna be a cold winer!

 

Salt WILL remove any carnauba wax you put on no matter what brand. For the past 2 Canadian winters, I used a sealant (Klasse AIO/ SG applied in the fall) and touchups with Eagle One Wax As U Dry after each wash. The temps are too cold to apply paste wax and the accumulation of the spray QD/ WAUD seem to retain the slickness even on snow/ slushy days. Just remember not to let salt sit too long on the finish. If you have a heated garage warm enough for the Mother's Pure 'nuba, then by all means, but the first splash of that salty brine and it's gone.

And about the Rain-X or any windshield coating, don't even worry about it. Nothing beats a good brand-name wiper blade winter or otherwise. The chemicals in the Rain-X helps repel water (or snow) but that's IF you don't turn ON the wipers. If you do, you will have this nasty smear on your windshield that will be hard to remove.

 

I second Klasse!

 

Meguiars #21 is a good polymer sealant that lasts a long time. I'm not sure how NXT will hold up in a Canadian winter....Brrrrrrrrr.

 

I second the polymer acrylic protection, an easier applied product- as an alternative to SG is Acrylic Jett http://www.jeffswerkstatt.com/
JonM

 

I haven't had any experiences with NXT but I heard it doesn't last that long (the shine anyway). Maybe just a tad longer than plain 'nuba. Being a synthetic "sealant" NXT might just last for a few weeks, much sooner than what Klasse or Meg's #20/ #21 might provide. Applying paste wax or even liquid wax in sub-zero temps may not be such a good idea. I think the idea is to apply a good long-lasting sealant so you don't lose any protection during the months that it may be impractical to wax (outdoors). The sealant topped with Carnauba might hold you over several weeks until some good climate happens and you're able to wax the finish again.