Every auto body shop specialist will tell you that excess salt on your car from winter driving is just not good for your automobile. Elements such as snow and ice do not pose the greatest risk to your car, but the salt and other harsh chemicals can ravage your car’s exterior shine. Due to the heavy dusting of salt that municipalities apply to neighborhood roads and local highways, your car takes a beating with ice and salt getting lodged into wheel wells, fenders, rocker panels, undercarriage and doors.
Additionally, salt becomes crusty, hard packed and then cakes on the top of your car’s paint. This encrusted concoction of mud, ice and salt can lead to premature finish degradation and even rusting of your paint. In addition, the numerous de-icing chemicals that are used during the winter months contain corrosive properties and when left on your vehicle they can cause unprotected metal surfaces to rust. The harsh winter weather can be hard on your car’s mechanical system and resale value, so removing the salt, sand and sludge from your car is essential for it to run properly and look great.
From a mechanical standpoint, salt causes corrosion and rust damage, especially to the undercarriage, resulting in costly repairs and damage of your vehicle. Cosmetically, salt can produce rust around the tires, fender and door. It can also cause exterior paint to chip away. Ideally, the best prevention from the damage caused by rock salt is to wax your vehicle before the winter months to put a polish on your car that prevents invasive salt damage.
Tough road conditions wreak havoc on your car’s exterior, so it’s important to rinse off the salt and chemicals used on the roads as soon as possible. Since salt is very abrasive, do not try to wipe the salt off your car because when the finish is rubbed, it could leave significant scratching on the surface. If the weather allows, always rinse the salt off first before attempting a wipe down and try to rinse your car every ten days.
Often, drive-through car washes use brushes that can grind the salt, sand and road debris into your finish leaving deep scratches. Therefore, it’s best to have the car rinsed thoroughly by hand washing using a high-quality car wash soap and microfiber cloth to remove winter salt, sand, dirt and grime without removing the wax protection. If you don’t have the ability to do this on your own, you can have car taken to a professional auto-detailing shop where they can restore your car to its pristine pre-winter condition.
What is Detailing
Detailing is a procedure that combines expert knowledge of vehicle surfaces, equipment and chemicals that yield a quality result and a fully restored lustre to your car. The buffers and the various pads are attached to a machine and paint evaluation tool. The chemicals that are used are a variety of waxes, polishes and compounds to resolve any apparent issues.
Your vehicle is one of the biggest investments that you make, so to keep your vehicle looking its best, you need to have the salt stains removed from your exterior without ruining your paint. Waterdown Collision is having a spring makeover for your car with exterior detailing and buffing until April 15th.