Protect Your Car Against Winter

 The weather is constantly changing in the fall months, and soon snow will be falling in Pittsburgh.  Do not forget about your car this winter as snow and ice continually hit the exterior of your car.  Make sure to follow these tips to protect your car against the harsh weather.


1. Over the winter many people don't pay too much attention to their cars. But there are a few things you can do to help keep your car looking sharp over the long term. For one, get rid of the salt. Don't let salt sit on the paint, undercarriage or carpets. Secondly, use care when removing snow and ice. You can easily scratch and scuff the paint, though you probably won't notice till spring. 

2. For the exterior, make sure you apply a good coat of wax before the weather changes. Better yet, use a polymer paint sealant, which is a synthetic product that affords the same protection as a wax, but it lasts six times longer. A good wax or paint sealant will protect your car from oxidation, rust and corrosion.

3. On any car, if the paint shows any signs of oxidation or has any surface scratches or scuffs, you may want to consider buffing the car prior to applying the wax or paint sealant. Buffing is most often best left to the professional, but a prepared and experienced amateur can do it too. Buffing is performed with a high- speed machine and various compounds and polishes. It can bring back the luster in an oxidized or dull paint surface, as well as remove some minor blemishes. 

4. The interior of a car needs TLC too. Try getting winter floor mats. These can be as simple as a
rubber version available at a hardware or auto supply store, or they can be the custom sized versions that afford more coverage. On the driver side, make sure the mat does not interfere with the brake, gas and clutch pedals.

5. You can also apply a leather or fabric protector to seats, carpets and mats. These products won't keep things from getting dirty, but they will make cleaning easier. Some fabric protectors are water based, and some oil based. The oil based will last longer, though it may be harder to find. Of course you should apply these products only to clean surfaces.

For more information see the Patch.