Winter Prep Article
The winter time is often when your vehicle can take the most abuse from harsh weather conditions. Detailing in the winter can be difficult so it’s important to provide maximum protection during the fall months when it’s easier and more comfortable to detail. I’m going to list out some areas of the vehicle below that I care for before the winter and some of my favorite products used during these steps. Remember taking the time to protect your vehicle now will save you from fixing problems in the Spring.
Exterior Paint – Cleaning and Prepping
Sealants and waxes provide a barrier between your paint and the environment that will help prevent rust. Both options will help moisture roll off the paint much easier which also helps prevent rusting and prevent micro-scratches. After completing those preparation steps we recommend sealing the paint first. Sealants are essentially artificial waxes made in a lab that last far longer. Natural carnauba waxes generally last about 2 – 6 weeks where as a sealant will generally last about 3 – 6 months. For maximum protection we highly recommend you look at three of our strongest protecting sealants: Chemical Guys Jetseal 109, Blackfire Wet Diamond w/polycharger and the Optimum Opti-Seal. All three can repel the harsh winter conditions, enhance the shine and preserve your vehicles finish. Waxes are an even stronger form of protection but they just don’t last nearly as long as a sealant. However for maximum protection and shine you can layer a wax over a sealant. There are many amazing waxes from Dodo Juice that will help protect your paint and really enhance the shine. One of my other favorites is the Chemical Guys 50/50 Limited Edition Wax and for an outstanding value try the Poorboy’s World Natty’s Red or Blue Paste Wax.
Carpets and Mats
Your vehicle’s carpets and mats can get really beat up during the winter months. I tap my shoes together before entering the vehicle but it seems inevitable that you track in large amount of moisture and salt on top of the regular road grime. It is important to protect your carpets from these build ups and make future cleanings easier. I recommend cleaning your carpets first with the 303 Cleaner and Spot Remover. Mist the cleaner on any fabric surface and spray the cleaner more directly on stains. Then agitate the surface with a damp soft bristle brush. The brush is often your best tool towards removing stains and embedded contaminants. After you are done cleaning and the fabrics are dry protect the fabrics with the 303 Fabric Guard. This is a really strong form of protection that seals the fibers but still allows them to breath and stay flexible. It will help force moisture to bead up and prevent road salt from bonding to the carpets. Simply just spray the 303 Fabric Guard on the fabrics and you are all set.
Exterior Glass
Deep cleaning your glass and a coat of sealant will make driving in the winter months much safer and easier. I highly recommend you use the Glass Science Rain Clear Kit which includes the Rain Clear Gel and Glass Scrub for only $5.99. Your exterior glass has tons of micro pores where contaminants settle which causes smearing and hazy looking glass. Regular glass cleaners help but the Glass Science Glass Scrub really deep cleans the glass. It pulls out the contaminants and really leaves the glass squeaky clean. Now seal the pores with the Rain Clear Gel. Just apply buff on a nickel sized drop to each half of the windshield with a clean applicator and buff off the excess residue when you are done. The Rain Clear Gel forces moisture to bead up nice and tight and roll off the glass with ease. It works great in rain, snow, sleet, etc and truly makes driving safer and easier. We also recommend cleaning your wiper blades every 1 – 2 months with the 303 Wiper Treatment. Removing contaminants helps your wiper blades make solid contact with the glass and it helps prevent the addition of ultra fine scratches.
Rubber/Leather/Vinyl and Plastic
I know it’s getting cold outside for most areas of the country but you should still protect your vehicle’s interior and exterior trim from harmful UV rays no matter the temperature. Protect your vehicle’s vinyl, plastic, rubber and leather from UV rays with the 303 Aerospace Protectant. A light coating of the Aerospace Protectant will protect your vehicle and make those surfaces look bold, but with no oily or greasy feeling. I can’t begin to explain how much I use this product, here are just some of the areas I use it on: console, dashboard, seats, doors, trim, arm rests, rubber moldings, exterior trim, engine bay casings, tires and so much more. I especially like to put it on the tires during the winter because it does a good job of repelling moisture and keeping the tires protected. Just spray it on a clean towel or applicator and wipe the desired surface.
Cleaning and Prepping – Protecting and Shining
Sealants and waxes provide a barrier between your paint and the environment that will help prevent rust. Both options will help moisture roll off the paint much easier which also helps prevent rusting and prevent micro-scratches. After completing those preparation steps we recommend sealing the paint first. Sealants are essentially artificial waxes made in a lab that last far longer. Natural carnauba waxes generally last about 2 – 6 weeks where as a sealant will generally last about 3 – 6 months. One of the best sealants we have ever used is the Chemical Guys Jetseal 109. It looks exceptional on any color, applies with ease and is a very strong form of protection. If you need the best value for sealants try the Chemical Guys M-Seal, which costs much less and still works great. Waxes are an even stronger form of protection but they just don’t last nearly as long as a sealant. However for maximum protection and shine you can layer a wax over a sealant. There are many amazing waxes from Dodo Juice that will help protect your paint and really enhance the shine. One of my other favorites is the Chemical Guys 50/50 Limited Edition Wax and for an outstanding value try the Poorboy’s World Natty’s Red or Blue Paste Wax.
Undercarriage
The undercarriage of your vehicle often receives a lot of abuse due to it’s proximity to the road and exposed pieces. Caring for the undercarriage can seem difficult but the Chemical Guys Bare Bones product makes it much easier. Simply spray it on sub frame, springs, wheel wells, fender wells, etc. and walk away. It provides valuable protection that helps repel build-ups so your undercarriage stays cleaner for longer.
Wheels
Your vehicle’s wheels can often take a lot of abuse because they have to defend themselves from moisture, salt, road grime, brake dust and more. Protecting your wheels with a quality sealant is a great way to protect them. The Poorboy’s World Wheel Sealant is my product of choice for this step. Unlike other sealants the Wheel Sealant is only concerned with protection, not shine. This allows the formula to provide an extremely durable form of protection that can repel high temperature break dust and salt that can rust wheels. Just buff it on with light pressure and buff off the excess residue and you are all set. Your wheels will stay cleaner for longer and they will also be much easier to clean.
Thank you for taking the time to read over this winter prep article! We hope you were able to find out some good information and recommendations about how to protect your vehicle. If you have any questions please let me know.
Greg @ Detailed Image
