How to Care for Your Car's Bodywork in Winter?
How to Care for Your Car's Bodywork in Winter? Prevent Rust in 7 Steps
Winter is a time when your car's bodywork is particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of frost, road salt, and moisture. To protect the paint and metal from corrosion, it is crucial to properly prepare the paintwork for winter. Here are 7 proven steps to ensure your car survives the winter in excellent technical condition:
1. Regular Washing:
Both water with road salt and sand or so-called snow sludge are major threats to the car's bodywork. They not only contribute to the development of corrosion but can also damage the paint and other external elements of the car. Therefore, it is important to wash the vehicle regularly, especially its undercarriage, which is most exposed to these harmful substances.
Try to wash your car at least once a week, especially after snowy and frosty days when salt and dirt are most intense. A car wash is an ideal solution as it has the right equipment for thorough and quick cleaning of hard-to-reach places, such as the underside of the car or the spaces between bodywork elements. Additionally, modern car washes offer washing programs using special chemical agents that effectively dissolve salt and other contaminants while protecting the car's surface. Remember to thoroughly dry the car after each wash, especially in areas where water can accumulate and lead to further corrosion.
2. Waxing:
Applying high-quality wax to the car's bodywork is one of the best ways to provide additional protection to the paintwork against harmful external factors, such as road salt, water, snow, or mud. The wax creates a protective barrier on the paint surface, which not only prevents salt and water from adhering but also protects against UV radiation, minor scratches, and other mechanical damages more common in winter. It is worth waxing the car both before and during the winter season to ensure continuous protection.
Regular waxing not only improves the appearance of the vehicle but also facilitates subsequent washing, as dirt and salt wash off more easily from a wax-coated surface. Additionally, waxing helps maintain the car's value for a longer time, protecting the paint from fading and corrosion.
For best results, it is recommended to apply wax at least twice during the winter season – once before the arrival of the first frosts and snows, and a second time in the middle of winter to refresh the protective layer. This can be done independently, using spray wax or paste, or by using the services of a professional car wash, which will apply the right waxing techniques for the best effect. Regardless of the chosen method, regular waxing is a key element of car care during the winter months.
3. Damage Control:
Regularly checking your car's bodywork for minor damages such as scratches, dents, or paint chips is extremely important, especially in the winter season. Winter conditions like low temperatures, moisture, road salt, and grit can accelerate the corrosion and degradation processes of the car's surface. Minor damages, which may seem insignificant, are ideal places for rust to start developing.
Quick response to detected damages is crucial. Repairing such areas on the bodywork, even if they are minor scratches, can prevent further spread of rust and protect the bodywork from more significant damage. It's worth investing in suitable products for minor repairs, such as paint pens or scratch removal kits, which allow for easy and quick concealment of minor damages.
4. Underbody Protection:
The underbody of a car is one of the vehicle parts most exposed to adverse external factors, especially in the winter season. Road salt, moisture, mud, and snow residues can contribute to rapid corrosion and damage in this critical section of the vehicle. Therefore, considering the application of special protective coatings on the underside of the vehicle is a key element in protecting and extending the life of your car.
These special coatings, often made based on synthetic resins or other corrosion-resistant substances, create a protective barrier on the underbody that effectively isolates the metal elements from the effects of moisture and salt. These coatings not only protect against corrosion, but can also reduce noise coming from the underbody while driving.
Applying such a coating is best left to specialists, as it requires specialised equipment and access to the right materials. Professional services can also offer a long-term guarantee on the applied coating, providing peace of mind for many seasons.
Additionally, regular checking and cleaning of the underbody, especially after the winter months, is important to ensure that the protective coating remains effective. Removing accumulated mud and salt will help avoid potential damage and ensure that your underbody remains protected for a long time.
Including underbody protection in the routine maintenance of the car significantly contributes to reducing the risk of costly repairs in the future and helps keep the vehicle in the best technical condition.
5. Rubber Mats:
Rubber mats in a car are a simple but extremely effective solution that helps protect the vehicle's interior from various types of contaminants that can be brought inside, especially during the winter period. Moisture, road salt, mud, and snow, which accumulate on footwear and outer clothing, can easily enter the interior of the car, penetrating the carpet and causing permanent damage and corrosion to the floor.
Rubber mats are resistant to water and salt, making them an ideal solution for protecting the car's floor from moisture and aggressive chemicals. They are easy to clean – just remove them, rinse with water, and leave them to dry, significantly easing the maintenance of cleanliness in the car.
Additionally, rubber mats provide safety as they prevent the driver's feet from slipping while driving, which is particularly important in the winter months when footwear can be wet and slippery. Their anti-slip surface increases stability and comfort while driving the vehicle.
6. Parking Space:
Choosing the right parking space has a huge impact on maintaining the good condition of your car in the winter season. If you have the opportunity to park your vehicle in a dry and covered place, such as a garage or covered parking, it is one of the best ways to protect the bodywork from the harmful effects of atmospheric factors. Covered parking spaces protect the car not only from snowfall and rain, but also from the effects of low temperatures that can affect the paint and other external elements of the vehicle.
Parking in a covered space can also prevent the accumulation of ice and snow on the car, which is particularly important for moving parts such as wipers or door locks. We all know how problematic and time-consuming frozen wipers or locks can be, especially when we are in a hurry in the morning.
However, if you do not have access to covered parking, try to choose as sheltered a place as possible, such as under trees or in other areas that can at least partially protect the vehicle from the direct effects of snow, rain, and frost. It is also worth investing in a high-quality car cover, which can provide additional protection when parking in a garage is not possible.
7. Larger Rust Marks Appeared on the Bodywork? Act Quickly:
If you notice signs of corrosion, it's best to remove them as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the smaller the chances of the rust spreading. How to remove larger rust marks on the bodywork? Apply metal repair panels.
In our shop, you'll find a wide selection of repair panels, tailored to different models and brands of cars. Choose one that best fits your vehicle and the area that needs repairing. How should you prepare for such a repair?
Before applying the repair panel, it's important to properly prepare the surface. This includes removing the rusted element, cleaning, and matting the area around the damage.
Mounting the repair panel: Repair panels are usually mounted by welding, ensuring the durability and strength of the repair. If you lack the appropriate skills or tools, we recommend using the services of a professional workshop.
Protection against future corrosion: After installing the repair panel, it's important to protect the repaired area from future corrosion. This includes applying appropriate protective measures, such as anti-corrosion primers and painting.
Regular checking: After the repair, regularly check the area around the repaired part to ensure that the rust does not return.
Using high-quality repair panels, such as those available in our shop, can significantly extend the life of your car and prevent more costly repairs in the future.
Summary
Remember, regular care and maintenance are key to keeping your car in good condition throughout the year. Proper attention to the bodywork in the winter season not only helps prevent rust but also increases the market value of your vehicle.