It would be fantastic if our cars continually looked as good as they did the day they left the car dealership. But the reality is that daily driving and living take a toll on the cosmetic appearance of any vehicle. Driving during the winter months is especially harsh, but paint repairs and car cosmetics can be costly. Caring for your car’s paintwork during December, January and February especially becomes even more essential. So, we give 4 easy steps to help keep your car’s paintwork in great shape and closer to that just-off-the-production-line look it once had.
Put the bottom of your car at the top of your care list
We’re all happier when the gritters are deployed to help drivers tackle icy roads. However, the combination of salt, sand and other dirt is an excellent way to cause damage and corrosion to the paintwork on the underbody of your vehicle. Throughout the winter months it is a good idea to regularly wash this area of the vehicle focusing on particularly vulnerable areas such as the wheel arches and door sills. Wash off any dirt and debris first, using a power washer if you have one. Follow up with washing all of these areas using a detergent specifically formulated to remove grime and grease.
Make the paintwork your next priority
Set out the equipment required for the rest of your car’s paintwork, including a concentrated shampoo, a completely clean sponge and a chamois leather cloth. Using warm water if possible rinse the paintwork thoroughly to remove any debris. Cover your car in foam and leave it to work on any grease and grime for several minutes. Using your clean sponge, go section by section around the car, always moving from top to bottom. Rinse again thoroughly and dry the paintwork gently with a clean chamois leather cloth.
Waxing’s worth the effort
You may think that waxing the car is a task to be done in the spring, but waxing in the winter months is a great way to give your paintwork that extra layer of protection. Apply the car wax with a clean microfiber cloth, then using another cloth buff away the residue. Stand back and admire the shine.
Accessories for better paint protection
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are with your car cleaning regime, scratches and scuffs can easily appear on the more vulnerable surfaces of the vehicle. An easy solution to help cover existing scratches and prevent future scratches is to add vehicle-specific accessories to those areas. Great options are the Travall Protector Terrain Edition and Travall SillGuards. The bumper protector comes in a tough plastic to add a premium appearance upgrade while protecting the rear upper bumper at the same time. It’s also available in an Urban Edition for those preferring a stainless steel finish.
The sillguards provide that all-essential door sill protection against scratches from winter boots.
All products are designed to fit seamlessly to your vehicle. They are easily installed at home but their perfect fit gives them the appearance of a factory fitted product.
Caring for your car’s paintwork is easier than maybe you had thought. Why not give your car some extra love and attention this winter?
