Winter Car Care: How to Protect Your Paint from Salt and Snow

Winter is tough on your car. Snow, ice and road salt may make roads passable, but they can do a number on your vehicle’s exterior. Salt, especially, is corrosive and can do a number on your car’s paint and undercarriage if left unchecked. More than 22 million tons of salt are used on roads in the United States each year, according to the Federal Highway Administration — and your car pays the price. Winter Care for your Car: at Chris Details, we understand how important it is to protect your vehicle during the winter season. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you protect your paint from salt, snow and ice. And we’ll explain how our mobile detailing services can make individual winter car care a snap. Let’s dive in!

Wash Your Car Regularly

Frequent washes are your first line of defense against winter muck. Salt and dirt can accumulate quickly, so try and wash your car every 1-2 weeks, even during the colder months.

How to Do It: Use a pH-balanced car wash soap and warm water to remove salt and debris.

Focus Areas: Give extra attention to the undercarriage, wheel wells and lower panels, where salt tends to gather.

Tip: This is not the only benefit of washing your car regularly, visit our post on The Top 5 Benefits of Regularly Washing Your Car for tips on keeping the dirt out of your vehicle.

Use a Wax or Sealant to Protect Your Car

A good wax or sealant provides a barrier between your paint and the elements, aiding in the prevention of salt, snow, and ice from reacting with the surface of your car.

Best options: Products like Turtle wax (Amazon link) or a ceramic coating.

How Often: 2-3 months for Waxes best results and 1-3 years for ceramic coatings

Use a Rust Inhibitor

Salt speeds up the rusting process, especially on the undercarriage of your car. Using a rust inhibitor can prevent this from occurring.

What to Use: Fluid Film Rust Inhibitor (Amazon link) These are great.

How to use it: Spray the undercarriage and other susceptible areas before the winter season strikes.

Invest in Mud Flaps and Floor Mats

Mud flaps help keep that salt and slush from chewing up your car’s paint job, and all-weather floor mats protect the interior from winter muck.

Park inside or use a car cover.

Park indoors whenever possible to shield your car from snow and ice. If a garage isn’t an option, a waterproof car cover is the next best solution.

Need Help Keeping Your Car Safe This Winter?

Now, winter car care can be notorious for being time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. Come visit Chris Details for mobile detailing to keep your car looking good, regardless of what Mother Nature decides to throw your way. From salt removal to preventatives, we have got you covered. Enjoy the day, book your winter detailing appointment with us today. Because at Chris Details we don’t so much clean cars as care for them. With these tips, you can shield your car’s paint against the ravages of winter and keep it looking showroom fresh. And when you need some extra help, Chris Details makes it easy. Let’s tackle winter together! You can read more about car maintenance over in our Ultimate Guide to Winter Car Maintenance or browse our full list of detailing services.