Safeguarding Your Cars Finish in Winter
It’s no surprise to most of us that the winter chill can cause internal issues with our cars, but we sometimes forget to care for our bodywork at this time of year, too.
Preventative measures are essential to keep your cars colour and shine tip-top. Cold weather only exacerbates issues and leaves you with a hefty bill on your next garage visit if left untreated.
1. Wash your car regularly
Protecting your cars bodywork doesn’t always have to be complicated or expensive, sometimes you just need to take simple measures. Don’t overlook the basics – our first step is to regularly wash your car.
During the winter, there’s many elements that cling to your car and damage the paint. Road salt is especially tricky – it works wonders for ice on the road, but is bad news for not only your paintwork but also exhaust systems and undercarriages.
Washing this regularly will ensure dirt, grime and salt are gone before they have the chance to cause further damage. Even better – avoid things like parking on the street if possible, to prevent your car being sprayed directly by salt.
2. Use a car wax or paint sealant
Although we wish winter car care was straightforward, some product purchases are going to make your finish much better than DIY hacks.
Many people swear by wax to protect your paintwork – but some may not have the longevity you’re looking for in the British frost.
Polymer or ceramic sealant is a great option, and acts as a shield for sleet, snow and rain. Synthetic is always the better option – although if you’re inclined towards natural wax, Carnauba may be a great option for you.
Alternatively if price isn’t a factor for you, you may want to look into ceramic coating. This provides your car with a protective surface whilst also giving your car high-quality colour or gloss.
3. Get chipped paintwork fixed before temps drop
If you haven’t already, this is one you need to make a priority as soon as possible!
If water or dirt gets trapped under previously cracked paint, it’s likely this will turn into ice and expand. This further pops out the paint and cause bubbles to form in the paint. Get this sorted early on in the season, as if left it will only become bigger (and more expensive to fix!)
4. Don’t forget the interior!
When thinking about winter car care, your vehicles interior is often forgotten. Think of all the dirty shoes, clothes and general grime it sees… give it some love too!
A good preventative measure is as simple as getting some car mats. These will catch the majority of dirt brought in by you and your passengers – and are also handy for wiping shoes on after being in the rain to reduce slip on your pedals.
If you’re wanting to go the extra mile (and we recommend that you do), fabric protectants can be useful to make it easier for water and dirt to be vacuumed up. If you have leather interiors, this is even more important as dry air pulls moisture from leather. Try to treat it before the freezing temperatures, as once temperatures drop the perforations won’t fully open and allow proper cleaning. It may look fine, but it won’t be properly cleaned.
5. Protect your tyres
Last but definitely not least, protect your tyres. Although not strictly related to bodywork, they are a big part of your cars general appearance and many people don’t know there’s things you can do to keep them in top shape.
Tyre gels are a great product – they soak into your tyres so you don’t have to reapply every time you wash your car. They not only leave your tyres looking great and new, they prevent them from cracking and browning. You have to make sure you’re cleaning your tyres however, otherwise you’re just applying it to grime.
Looking after your cars bodywork in winter is no easy feat, but using our tips can help prevent bigger issues and expenses further down the line. The weather may be dull, but your cars shine doesn’t have to be!
If you find yourself needing professional assistance, we’re always happy to help at Bodymek. We offer everything from small touches like buffing out minor imperfections, to paint resprays and bumper repairs.
