In many parts of the country, motorists must 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 from my years of living in the rust 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. Make sure to remove dirt and salt from crevices behind headlights, wheel well rims and anywhere dirt and crud can remain damp for months and serve as a catalyst for rusting. Also check drain plugs in 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 as well as protect the lower body paint from stone damage. In many cases, you can find ones that were factory accessories or available as aftermarket items. If not, small modifications for generic ones are a whole lot better than rust and rock damage.

Protect the interior with a fabric guard that is water and stain repellent. Protect carpets with inexpensive floormats that will absorb winter's muck and can 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. Bathroom throw rugs also work well because you can throw them in the washing machine when they get soaked and dirty.

Repair all window chips and cracks no matter how small. The smallest of windshield cracks or chips can easily spiderweb with drastic and rapid changes in temperature. Note that many insurance companies will cover the entire cost of chip repair, if you have windshield damage coverage. Apply a water repellant to all glass surfaces to increase visibility in poor driving conditions. Water repellent help heavy rain, sleet, snow and ice to bead up and roll off the windshield. This is very important in when winter weather conditions reduce the effectiveness of windshield wipers. You might consider installing heavy-duty, winter windshield wiper blades. Finally, squirt some WD-40 lubricant into exterior locks to prevent winter frozen locks.

In many parts of the country, motorists must 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 from my years of living in the rust 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. Make sure to remove dirt and salt from crevices behind headlights, wheel well rims and anywhere dirt and crud can remain damp for months and serve as a catalyst for rusting. Also check drain plugs in 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 as well as protect the lower body paint from stone damage. In many cases, you can find ones that were factory accessories or available as aftermarket items. If not, small modifications for generic ones are a whole lot better than rust and rock damage.

Protect the interior with a fabric guard that is water and stain repellent. Protect carpets with inexpensive floormats that will absorb winter's muck and can 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. Bathroom throw rugs also work well because you can throw them in the washing machine when they get soaked and dirty.

Repair all window chips and cracks no matter how small. The smallest of windshield cracks or chips can easily spiderweb with drastic and rapid changes in temperature. Note that many insurance companies will cover the entire cost of chip repair, if you have windshield damage coverage. Apply a water repellant to all glass surfaces to increase visibility in poor driving conditions. Water repellent help heavy rain, sleet, snow and ice to bead up and roll off the windshield. This is very important in when winter weather conditions reduce the effectiveness of windshield wipers. You might consider installing heavy-duty, winter windshield wiper blades. Finally, squirt some WD-40 lubricant into exterior locks to prevent winter frozen locks.