Winter weather is coming, and although we don’t have very harsh winters here, it’s still a good idea to winterize your car with these fall detailing tips.
Prepare Paint for Winter
Though we don’t get a ton of snow here in southern Tennessee, if we do, the salt and sand can damage the paint on your car if it isn’t properly protected. To prevent this, wash your car thoroughly with car soap that won’t strip the surface. If it’s been a long time since you waxed the car, wax it now, then apply a paint sealant that will serve as an extra barrier between your paint and winter road debris.
Protect Interior Surfaces
If your car has leather seats, it’s especially important that you take measures to protect it in the upcoming cold weather. The cold and lack of humidity in the winter can dry leather out and cause it to crack. Thankfully, taking care of it is as easy as conditioning it now in the fall while the weather is still above 50 degrees (the threshold at which leather is porous and will absorb the moisturizer) so that it soaks up the moisturizer now. This will make sure that your leather seats are supple and protected throughout the next few months.
If you have any other leather in your car, such as the dashboard, steering wheel, or gear shift, be sure to apply the conditioner to these areas as well.
It would also be a good idea to go ahead and get all-weather floor mats if you don’t have them already. This way, any salt, rocks, sand, or dead leaves you may track in don’t stain or tarnish the carpeting in your cabin.
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Protect Your Tires
Like your exterior paint, your tires can be harmed by the chemicals, salt, and sand that may be on the roads in the wintertime. You can prevent a lot of damage by polishing your tires after your car is washed here in the fall and reapplying it after each wash you do in the winter.
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