Waxing (and Wishing) the Winter Blues Away

Winter.

For most people, it means mitts, boots, and hibernating indoors until the first crocus pops through the snow. For me? It means wax. And polish. And staring a little too closely at the Carmine Red paint of my Boxster.

The roads may be icy, the wind merciless, and the forecast entirely discouraging. Outside, the world is a frozen mess of snowbanks, salt, and the occasional lost hockey puck. But inside the garage, the universe shrinks to a bottle of Sonax, a soft cloth, and a single, gleaming object of obsession. Winter gives me the excuse to slow down, to notice every swirl, every reflection, every tiny imperfection in the hood, the fender, the doors. The Boxster deserves it. I deserve it. The snow? Let it pile up; we’ll wait.

There’s a rhythm to it. Clean first. Every panel inspected under the unforgiving glare of overhead lights (or my trusty headlamp). Wheels wiped. Brake calipers scrutinized. Then comes the one-step polish (I use Sonax Perfect Finish), smoothed evenly, buffed carefully, until the paint practically glows from within. It’s meditative. Rewarding. Absurdly satisfying. And occasionally hilarious, as I pause mid-polish to glance outside and see the driveway looking like a white-foam-capped-double-double while I obsess over a swirl smaller than a grain of rice.

Winter paint care sessions are a luxury disguised as necessity. I can spend an hour on a single panel if I want. I can admire the way the paint catches the fluorescent light. I can whisper to the car: “Just wait until April. We’ll be out there again, top down, curves ahead. And everyone will see how good you look.”

It’s a reminder that winter isn’t just about endurance. It’s about preparation. The anticipation makes the first spring drive all the sweeter. By the time the salt has vanished from the roads and the first sun-warmed mornings arrive, the Boxster will gleam like a promise fulfilled. And I’ll be ready to throw myself into the freedom of curves, the hum of the flat-six, and the joy of the road that only summer can bring.

Polishing finished (on this panel) and I'm tempted to move to the most satisfying step - the wax (or in this case, the paint sealant). Essentially the top coat - the 'sacrificial layer' the detailers call it - although there's hardly much of a layer by the time you've applied it and then hand-wiped it to a brilliant shine. Still, it's intensely satisfying.

But I must wait, and finish all the polishing first, and leave that loving step to the very last.

Yes, winter is long. Cold. Often discouraging. But it also gives time to fall in love with the car again, one deliberate, slightly ridiculous, obsessive detail at a at a time.

Seven more panels to go :-)

~ Luke