Tips and Tricks for Protecting Your Car in Winter Months
Winter in Canada can be long and harsh, even in beautiful British Columbia. Specially this winter is one of the colder once and can take a terrible toll on your car and all of that snow and ice can really do some damage on your car. Not only can it be difficult driving through snow and ice, but the salt commonly used on roads is corrosive and can damage paint over time. At this time of year, a vehicle’s auto detailing means much more than just keeping cars looking their best—it’s about protecting vehicle owners from the safety risks that come from winter wear and tear. It is important to take steps to protect your vehicle’s exterior paint & interior during the long winter months, so if you want to learn how, continue reading below.
Remove snow & ice safely from your vehicle’s paint
When it snows and you need to drive, most of us simply think about removing the snow so you can hop back in your vehicle and kick on the heat. We usually don’t think about whether or not we’re causing any damage to the exterior of the vehicle when removing snow.
Removing Snow
When the snows come down really hard, a lot of people make the mistake of trying to remove the accumulated snow from their vehicle with a shovel, broom or other abrasive tool. This is a big no-no, as even attempting to do it carefully there is still a high risk that a sharp edge will come in to contact with your car’s paint, causing deep, nasty scratches and gouges. Consider using specialty products like a ‘Snow Broom‘ with soft, foam edges.
Dealing with Ice
In order to protect car paint from winter means dealing with ice. Even though ice does not usually accumulate to the same levels of snow, even a little bit of ice can be a problem. Ice can be difficult to remove; however, do not be tempted to use the ice scraper that you use on your windows. The edge of the scraper is made from sturdy and hard plastic which, although suitable for the windows of your car, will more than likely scratch your paintwork.
If you need to remove large chunks of ice from your vehicle, simply turn on your car and let it sit for a few moments. This will help defrost your car allowing the ice to melt and flake off.
Exterior Auto Detailing: Why is Exterior Car Detailing in Winter Important?
If you want to keep your vehicle looking sharp, it’s a no brainer to proactively take steps toward protecting the paint job. Luckily, there are several things you can do to protect that precious paint and clear-coat paint going into and during the winter months.
Wash Your Vehicle Regularly
Washing your car during winter is particularly important as you will be cleaning corrosive materials off of the vehicle’s exterior, because if left on for too long, it can support the formation of rust both on the exterior paint and the underbody. We recommend professional hand car wash service where high-pressure washer is used to remove all the grit and snow and safely clean and wash the undercarriage, bumpers, wheel wells and other hard-to-reach areas that are likely to rust. Professional detailers use warm water and special products to loosen and remove the salt and dirt safely.
Protect The Clearcoat & Exterior Paint
Exterior paint protection such as waxing or ceramic coating a car is a very important part of protecting the paint job and enhancing resale value, and if a vehicle goes too long without being waxed or ceramic coated, the paint can fade. With winter approaching and the inevitable threat salt corroding the clear coat or paint, it is a smart move to protect your vehicle paint.
Protect Your Wheels & Tires
The wheels and tires are constantly in contact with abrasive agents like stones, salt and rocks. use specially mixed acid solutions to remove dirt, brake dust, and residue from wheels and tires. Just like there are protective coatings for car paint, there are specialized wax and ceramic coatings for vehicle wheels as well. Protective coatings prevent brake dust adhesion and repel ice and snow from adhering to the treads. Cleaning the wheels and tires regularly and then applying a protective coating prevents salt buildup and enables the wheels and tires to endure the toughest conditions.
Apply repellent to your windshield
Your car’s windshield plays an important role in creating a safe driving environment. During the winter, you can face several visibility issues because of water and snow on the windshield. You can invest in glass coating to keep them off your windshield. Professional glass coatings such as Ceramic Pro will bead water, so it rolls off the windshield glass. What’s more, it will help you to push snow, grit, and grime off the windshield much easier.
Park Your Vehicle in Garage
Drivers who have the option to park their vehicle in a garage should do so. This way, Your vehicles exterior is protected from harsh winter weather, UV rays, critters and other potentially harmful elements. Plus, when your vehicle is parked in a garage you can provide a waterless car wash to keep your ride looking sharp.
Interior Car Detailing: Why Should You Detail the Inside of Your Car in Winter?
Many car owners who have never had their car detailed assume that detailing is more for the exterior of the car. However, though exterior detailing is very important to your car’s well-being in the winter, interior detailing also has advantages in the colder months. In the winter, you need to focus on your car’s interior too. Clean the interior regularly to avoid any salt or dirt building up. Once a week, vacuum your vehicle, clean car carpets, seats, and dashboard.
Clean the Carpets and Upholstery
Guess what happens to the interior after you drag in a shoe print full of mud, water, and salt. You deteriorate the dyes in the fabric, create mildew and bacteria which provides odors in the vehicle that can last for years. Then eventually eating away the carpet. Don’t get us started on how this can affect an appraisal if ever to attempt to trade or sell!
Keep the Windscreen Smear-Free
Smears, dirt and fingerprints on the inside of your windows may not seem a big problem, but once the sun hits them on a winter’s morning, when the sun is low in the sky, dangerous dazzle could impact your ability to drive the car safely.
Why It’s So Important to Keep Your Car Clean in the Winter
We’ve touched on some of the reasons why it’s important to clean your car in winter in the tips above, but it’s worth taking some time to understand all the potential problems dirt can cause, so you know what to look out for and what jobs you should prioritize.
Moisture Means Salt, and Salt Means Rust
On winter roads, your car will encounter things like salt, grit and rotting leaves, which can all stick to your paintwork and cause leave harmful deposits behind. This, in turn, causes the onset of rust, which will eat away at your car’s exposed metalwork if left unchecked.
Salt, dirt and moisture deposits are most harmful on your car’s undercarriage, where metal components are less protected. If rust takes hold here, you could face all sorts of mechanical issues down the road, and see the resale value of your car plummet when it comes time to trade it in or sell it on.
Safety
It isn’t just for cosmetic and upkeep purposes that you need to keep your car clean in the winter; there’s a safety element to consider, too.
Book Your Car Detailing With Us
At Majestic Auto Spa & Detailing, we’ve been taking care of cars for decades – rain or sun – Let us to clean, protect and shine your investment all year round.
Contact Us : 778-895-9274
Email Us : info@majspa.ca
