Winter is coming and many drivers again are going to have to contend with snow, slush, mud, grime and, worse, road salt. Ziebart International, the experts in rust protection, offers some tips on how to prevent expensive and often hard to repair damage. I have added a couple of my own tips garnered from years of living in the snow belt.
Apply a good coat of wax on the body before winter sets in. Wax provides a protective layer to help shield the paint from the harsh winter elements.
Vehicles should be washed frequently to remove corrosive materials, especially salt. It is vital that the undercarriage be thoroughly washed. A power washer does the most effective job, or alternatively, a high pressure car wash.
Make sure to remove dirt and salt from the crevices behind the headlights, wheel well rims and anywhere dirt, and crud, can remain damp for months serving as a catalyst for rust. Also check the drain plugs in the rocker panels and in the bottom of vehicle doors to make sure they are clear of dirt and debris. Consider installing mud flaps and splash guards to keep mud, snow, ice and salt from building up on the undercarriage and in wheel wells. These guard will also help protect the lower portion of the body from stone damage. Chipped paint provides a starting point for rust.
Protect the interior with a is water and stain-repellent fabric guard. Protect carpets with inexpensive floor mats that can absorb winter's muck and then be disposed of at the end of winter. This will protect custom mats from permanent damage and will also help preserve the carpet beneath the mats. Small inexpensive throw rugs, or pieces of carpet, also work well because they can be put in the washing machine when they get soaked and dirty.
Repair all window chips and cracks no matter how small. The smallest windshield crack or chip can easily grow like a spider’s web with drastic, and rapid, changes in temperature. Many insurance companies will cover the entire cost of chip repair, if you have windshield damage coverage in your policy.
Apply a water repellant to all glass surfaces to increase visibility when driving conditions are poor. Water repellents help heavy rain, sleet, snow and ice to bead up, and roll off the windshield. This is very important when winter weather conditions reduce the effectiveness of windshield wipers.
Depending upon where you live, it might be worthwhile to consider installing heavy-duty, winter, windshield-wiper blades.
Finally, squirt some WD-40 lubricant into exterior locks to prevent winter frozen locks.
