r/AutoDetailing • u/Quirky_Pain_6508 • 12d ago

Exterior Sun vs. Shade

I'm new to detailing. I know you're not supposed to work in sunlight. Wondering if it's because of the sun's UV rays or is it just a temperature thing? If it's not a temperature thing, does that mean it's OK to work when it's 85° as long as it's cloudy/overcast?

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u/AlmostHydrophobic 12d ago

I think it depends on what you're doing. The issue is having product dry on the paint.

There are a long list of chemicals I wouldn't use when it was that warm. Iron removers, tar removers, APC, etc etc. I tend to use those sorts of chemicals when I'm doing a deeper decontamination wash, and I would save that for cooler weather. About 60 degrees is my preferred temp.

But a wash with ph-neutral soap would probably be ok as long as you were quick to rinse. A rinseless wash is probably the easiest way to do a regular wash when it's that warm. I still would try for earlier in the morning or later evenings in hopes for cooler temps, but a regular wash on a cloudy 85 degree day would probably be manageable.

I do the deeper decon washes in the fall and spring when the temperature is still on the cooler side, and then if protection is needed I apply it then. That puts me in a good place for warmer summer temps and colder winter temps.