Tips for preparing your car for winter

Winter has the potential to wreak havoc on your car’s condition, especially for those who live in very cold climates who deal with the damaging effects of snow, sleet, and salt all season long. Detailing your vehicle in early fall can offer significant protection for your car and even prevent some of the worst winter damage.

Because your car's finish is the most delicate surface, it's especially important to properly prepare your vehicle for winter. The first step is to pre-wash and thoroughly wash your vehicle using a specialized car shampoo . Using any other household cleaner risks stripping away the protection previously applied to your car! Cleaning helps remove debris that can scratch your vehicle's finish, and because salt and gravel are more common on roads in the winter, it's important to maintain a regular car wash schedule throughout the season.

Once your car’s exterior is clean, apply a high-quality paint sealant to protect its finish. The polymers in a synthetic paint sealant form a barrier that will protect your vehicle’s paint from salt, water, and chemicals used on the roads during winter weather. High-quality paint sealants typically provide protection for about six months, allowing you to apply the sealant in the fall and be protected all winter long.

It is also necessary to detail the interior of your vehicle in preparation for winter with professional interior cleaning products , especially if your car has leather seats. Leather can be dried out by the winter cold and lack of moisture, and dehydrated leather is prone to cracking. Additionally, because leather is only porous in relatively warm conditions (typically above 50 degrees), it can actually absorb products well and make it softer. If you decide to recondition your leather interior in cold weather, the leather will feel supple but will not have effectively absorbed the moisture it needs.

Your tires come into closer contact with salt and other road chemicals in the winter. By using a good, high-quality tire black , applied in early fall and reapplied often after washes, you can ensure that your tires look great and are protected from the elements in winter.

In short, by doing a good detailing on your car in the fall with an eye to preparing for winter, you can ensure that your vehicle gets through the season in tip-top condition.