How cold is too cold to seal and wax?

[Jertronic]

The Northeast winter is approaching. I have frost-free outdoor hose spigots so water is not a problem. My silver ignition 10-series was driven off the lot by me on July 10. I have done nothing except wash the car using the 2 bucket method with ONR added to soap bucket and a diluted ONR in spray bottle as a quick detailer.

I want to clay bar the care and then apply sealant (DP policoat paint sealant) and then use Collinte Insulator Wax #845 over the top.

I do not have a random orbital polisher nor any power polisher equipment of any kind. I'm doing this job by hand with applicator pads and microfiber cloths.

How much longer do i have before I am relegated to working inside my garage? The garage is only a single, therefore working outdoor is much preferred.

[Miniata]

I'll wash down to 35-40°F (I've had a sheet of ice form over the whole car in the past when it dropped below freezing before I was finished) but usually don't polish or wax if it is below 50-55°F. Many waxes and polishes will still work a little colder than that, but application and removal usually get more difficult the colder it gets. Just keep an eye on the temperature and make sure you can finish before it drops down too cold in the evening.

[Clembo]

Many sealer / wax manufacturers put the recommended limits right on their packaging or in the instructions. I typically use 50 degrees as a cut-off point. Hopefully we still have some time left here in New England...

[gily25]

If you have a heated garage or use a propane heater in the garage you can probably polish & wax later into the fall, depending on percipitation maybe even slightly into winter. Once you pick a product look at the temperature suggestions and see where the cutoff is then use the car's outdoor temp readout.