That time of the year

[jimboy]

May be obvious to some on here, but it's time to take a few steps on preparing the car for the frosty weather. I see on a regular basis some have problems that can be avoided with some preventative measures. Now I'm not going to patronise any one by spelling out the obvious, but there are some tips worth mentioning to those who are unlucky in the the fact that they don't own a garage.

Graphite spray the locks, & if the car is a bit old, stick a piece of insulating tape over the lock. Spray door rubbers with silicone spray. Rain x or similar helps the windscreen de-icing. No doubt people will have their own ideas, but just remember tepid water is your friend. OK, OK this may obvious as I first said, but it's a bit surprising how some get caught out.

 

[Fiatpuntomk2b]

some good advice there, does the silicone spray stop doors sticking to the rubbers ?

 

[Rawb]

Silicone spray would work, but so would a good polish and wax onto the paintwork inside the doors.

Useful and obvious information in the first post, could come in handy

 

[Fiatpuntomk2b]

So if i srp and wax the inside of the doors they will stick less or sometimes not at all ?

 

[jimboy]

Personally I prefer the silicon spray simply because it's less messy & less fannying about with wax. On older cars rubber sticking can be a pain in icy weather. Some use Vaseline, but again this can be messy. At the end of the day it's what suits you. Unlike some on here with must have only product that is only used for a specific job you can use what you like

Hell back in the day after a night shift in the oil yard, I used to pee on the frozen car lock along with others on their cars I may add.:devil:

 

[jimboy]

Silicone spray would work, but so would a good polish and wax onto the paintwork inside the doors.

Useful and obvious information in the first post, could come in handy

It tends to be the rubbers that stick.

 

[Andy Monty]

Petroleum jelly...........just be aware that it attacks rubber...



And what does rubber stick to? The door.... coat the door contact area with a hydrophobic coating eg wax, and the bond between the door the rubber seal due to water is reduced.....

 

[Rawb]

Petroleum jelly...........just be aware that it attacks rubber...



And what does rubber stick to? The door.... coat the door contact area with a hydrophobic coating eg wax, and the bond between the door the rubber seal due to water is reduced.....

That's what I was trying to say in a less Scientific way.

 

[Andy Monty]

that's what i was trying to say in a less scientific way.

:d

 

[jimboy]

Lots of stuff f*** up the rubbers. I've offered an easy way,quick wipe on the rubber with silicon or spray. I've also mentioned what others do. not I Whether you want to wax the inside of the door, that's entirely up to the individual. By all accounts there are the less anal on here as well,who just want an easy no fannying about solution..

 

[RobinPJ]

Hell back in the day after a night shift in the oil yard, I used to pee on the frozen car lock along with others on their cars I may add.:devil:

It tends to be the rubbers that stick.

I think after you finish you are meant to remove the rubber before you have a pee.

 

[jimboy]

I think after you finish you are meant to remove the rubber before you have a pee.

Two different issues there fella.

 

[unlocated]

Graphite spray the locks, & if the car is a bit old, stick a piece of insulating tape over the lock. Spray door rubbers with silicone spray. Rain x or similar helps the windscreen de-icing. No doubt people will have their own ideas, but just remember tepid water is your friend. OK, OK this may obvious as I first said, but it's a bit surprising how some get caught out.

Hiya,

new to this forum and new to a Fiat and any car at all! so I do apologise for asking about the obvious.

Where do I get the graphite spray? I have no remote control and I don't want to get stuck outside of my own car

Thanks!

 

[Andy Monty]

http://www.tools-paint.com/product/CK_T6283A_Graphite_Dry_Lubricating_Powder_T6283A

 

[unlocated]

Thank you for this.. although it's £12 for delivery!?!?!? Might look somewhere else

 

[sludgeguts]

but just remember tepid water is your friend. .

It'll free the door rubbers but it'll also refreeze very quickly. It's funny watching people de-ice their screens with water then spend an age trying to get the water off that has just frozen on their screens - or they slip slide on the water that has drained off their car & formed ice patches all around.
Adding vinegar will help to prevent freezing.
As for peeing on the locks, been there - AND have been known to use an old key, pushed into the lock & heated with my lighter