Protecting Car Paint from Sun and Snow The number one enemy to your vehicle’s paint job isn’t the car that parked too close, nor is it the game of Frisbee going on nearby. The number one enemy to your paint job is the constant snow in winter and sun in summer. The problem with the snow has nothing to do with the frozen moisture bathing your vehicle. That’s the beautiful part, water cleaning your car like rain. The problem comes from all of the salt on the road. Salt is necessary, raising the melting temperature of ice to keep the roads drivable. It’s absolutely imperative to a city’s ability to recover from a blizzard. People need to get back to work, the grocery store, or to each other. What it doesn’t help, is your paint. Road salt causes rust and corrosion when left to sit for days on end. It mainly is thrust onto the sides of your vehicle as you drive through the slush created by melted snow and ice. Cars driving too close can splash it on you. Your wheels are a culprit a lot of the time as well. A cure to ensuring that the paint on your vehicle isn’t affected by the salt is to clean it often after a snow storm.
Clean car with water and soap Wipe down the sides of the vehicle with water and soap to clean off the debris. Don’t give the salt time to sit. It only needs a little time to do its damage. It only takes a little time to wipe down your car. You don’t have to worry too much about covering it when it’s outside in a snow storm. It’s the driving that’s the problem. The only exception to this rule is if you are harboring a convertible with a vinyl top. The vinyl can dry out and fade when left to the elements of rain and snow. These tops should be properly covered before a storm and hidden from most of the natural elements whenever possible. They are pricy to replace should they go bad. Summer time isn’t an escape for your car though. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can penetrate the very makeup of the paint, causing it to fade.
Check the roofs of others cars. You’ll notice a slight fading on some of the older ones where the sun has gotten to work.
Use covered Parking Hide your car in covered parking whenever you can. Wash it often (towel drying it to remove any harmful chemicals). Take the time to wax it if you can. Wax puts an extra barrier between your paint and the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Keep that extra layer fresh and thick to keep out the rays of the sun. Keeping a nice paint job will help its market value should you need to sell the car while showing it off to all of your friends and family. Affordable American Insurance offers car insurance in Colorado. Car upkeep and safety is their specialty. Find out how Affordable American can assist you in your Colorado car insurance needs. Protect your car from all dangers, including those of other drivers. Photo credit: Robert Couse-Baker, Atelier Pro