ive been wondering this for a while i mean i do both but any ways...
i now wash my car at night just because its easier, not so hot and the car does not get hot as well, but do some of you guys prefer washing during the day in the sun? and if so do you park your car in the shade for a while and then apply wax? bc i have no idea which works better, night time is kind of tough b/c of mosquitos but atleast then i can go directly to a wax.. but when i wash in the heat of the day i never if i should let my car cool off while applying wax or leave it in the sun and apply or what... eh.. maybe im just a newbie at washin eh? haha thanks for the inquries

 

I prefer to wash and wax in the shade so I avoid water spots, but I like to clean glass in the sun to prevent streaking. The only drawback of being in the shade is that sometimes you miss spots that you later see when the car is outside again.

 

Unless it's the dead of winter, never wash your car in the direct sunlight. Especially if you have a darker color, the water will dry almost instantly leaving soap and/or water spots on the surface.

Find a shady spot to wash it in during the day. If it's been in the sun for a while or you've been driving it, let it sit in the shade for a while to cool off. I usually wash mine in the early morning because of some large trees in my yard that shade my whole driveway until about 10am. It's not a good idea to wash or wax under a tree, sap and water drip from the tree and will spot the surface. You want to be in the open, but in the shadow of a tree, building, etc.

 

good question and good answers

 

I lived in Tucson for 7 years and always washed cars after sunset. During the day the water would dry on the surface before I had a chance to wipe it down. Waxing at night also. Find a parking lot with good lighting.

Now that temperatures in Baltimore have reached 90 degrees plus, I either wash the car at sunup or sunset.

 

good thread support

 

I think it def, depends on the color of your car, I have the SB 03 coupe and I have to wash it in the shade,, or definately at night,,, i usually always do,, but use the NXT wax it, works when its put on in direct sunlight, or so it says!!! my black car sucks though, wish i never baught this color,,, but then again, all the cf stuff I have wouldnt look right on any other color!!

 

BTW if you do find yourself in a situation were the water is drying faster than you can wipe-down the car, add a couple ounces of white vinegar to a pale of rinse water. That will help with mineral deposits.

 

haha I know. I was being serious though.

 

I just got a 10x10 pop up canopy and a 10x10 tarp for car washing. I put up the canopy at the end of the driveway and then hang the tarp from the driveway to the garage door. This way she is in the shade the whole time

Chris

 

I try and wash early morning or late afternoon when I get some shade in my garage. If I have to I will wash in the sun. I wet the whole car down and then just try and soap and rinse one part of the car at a time. Then I give a final rinse and dry as quickly as possible, rewetting as necessary to remove spots. If it is a real problem you might want to try the auto dry systems that are out there. I remember hearing good results from some people, there are some threads about it in these forums.

I never wax in direct sunlight or on a hot vehicle. I always pull it into the garage to polish and wax. If you don't have that option and must work at night, get some work lights so you can see what you are doing

 

Mike, why is it that you don't wax in direct sunlight? I've done my waxing under the sun and I don't recall having trouble.

 

I recently read you aren't supposed to wash your car in direct sunlight either because it makes the clearcoat "softer", hence it is easier to scratch.

 

ooo thanks for the input i was just wondering b/c sometimes at night its a hassle bc of all the mosquitos.. and my lighting isnt all that great and the day sucks sometimes cause its so hott :X and yeah water dries pretty quick here in texas... bah o well still love my dark sb

 

If you must wash in the sun do a section at a time top to bottom and clean, rinse dry as you go. It takes some nozzle control but can be done. It takes longer, but when your finished washing your finished drying.

Better to do it in the shade though. I use to work 3-11 shift and had a metallic green GTP. I enjoyed coming home after work and washing it in the driveway lights and then pulling it in the garage. More like therapy than washing.

 

You know, to be perfectly honest, I don't work wax in direct sunlight because i've heard/been told not too, but since you asked, I did a bit of sleuthing. Got this off of meguiar's website from Mike Phillips, their detailing guru:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...irect+sunlight

and

What temperature ranges are best for applying cleaners, polishes, and waxes degrees

So the short answer is because the products were not designed to be used on a hot vehicle - or put another way - Your Mileage May Vary.

 

Thanks for the info, Mike. I really appreciate it. Well, I guess I better start waxing in the shade.. but where in TX can I find some decent shade...?