Get Rid of Winter Damage before Rust, Corrosion Set In
KANSAS CITY, KS – Winter weather is tough on your car – from the salt, sludge and road debris that eats away at your paint and exterior to the dents and dings that come with driving on slippery roads.
In fact, many minor accidents occur during the winter months, thanks to the snow, ice, rain and tough driving conditions.
But drivers should get rid of the winter damage faster than they put away their winter coats if they really want to protect and preserve their second-largest investment.
A few simple tips from CARSTAR, America’s leading collision center and expert in automotive exteriors, can get your vehicle ready for spring while improving its appearance, performance and long-term value.
“Leaving the winter damage on your car’s exterior is no way to take care of your vehicle,” said Lynn Dewey of CARSTAR Metcalf in Kansas City. “Salt and sand can cause rust and damage the vehicle’s finish, which reduces the value of the car by thousands of dollars. And even small dents and dings can turn into major headaches if left unrepaired. The smart thing to do is have a spring cleaning done on your vehicle to eliminate these problems and get it looking great for warm weather.”
Clean Up Then Correct the Problems
The key is to get the vehicle thoroughly washed and restored, then evaluate the minor damage to be repaired. CARSTAR offers the following tips for removing winter grime.
1. Give it a good bath with car wash soap to remove winter salt, sand, dirt and grime without removing wax protection.
2. Clean the engine bay to remove damaging residue. Warm up the engine for a few minutes, then spray water throughout engine compartment with hose and nozzle. Spray underbody of car and wheel wells to remove salt and sand.
3. Remove the tar and debris with an adhesive and wax remover. Just rub it on with a microfiber cloth, let sit for a few minutes to loosen dirt, old wax and tar, then wipe off.
4. Clean the wheels and tires to remove brake dust, salt and highway grime.
5. Restore tires to brand new finish with a tire restorer. Just spray on and wipe off for a deep black luster.
6. Give the car a good protective coat of synthetic wax that chemically bonds with the clear coat finish to keep the car’s finish looking good.
7. Lubricate door, hood and trunk hinges, locks and other moving parts with a spray lubricant that lubricates, penetrates, displaces water and resists corrosion.
8. Get the glass clean inside and out for sparkling windows.
9. Clean and protect the upholstery with a leather and vinyl restorer, which revives the natural sheen and soft feel of the factory finish.
10. Clean the car’s carpet to remove winter salt and dirt.
There’s only one more step to go in the spring cleaning process – the inspection for exterior damage. Winter road debris, potholes and icy conditions can leave dings, dents and scratches hiding under the car’s cold weather coat of sludge. Do a thorough inspection of the car from bumper to bumper and note any new damage. Simple scratches and minor dents can turn into rust spots and bigger problems if left unattended.
The local CARSTAR Collision Center and its certified technicians can provide a detailed spring “cleaning” program for your vehicle, including paint touch-up, dent and scratch repair, rust removal and more, all at an affordable price. For the nearest CARSTAR Collision Center, visit www.CARSTAR.com.
About CARSTAR
CARSTAR is the largest group of branded collision repair centers in North America with over 400 locally owned and operated locations in 27 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTAR is committed to providing consistent quality services to our customers and insurance partners and has repaired more than 2.5 million cars since it was founded in 1989. Our technicians and front office staff receive ongoing training to ensure they are qualified to work on any vehicle. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority as we consistently lead the industry in customer satisfaction ratings.
CARSTAR not only has the highest customer satisfaction rating in the industry, but it is also involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America (“Make-A-Wish”). Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. CARSTAR is involved with many charitable events at the local level to help raise money for Make-A-Wish as well as having recreated a 1967 Super Snake Ford Mustang, the CARSTAR SuperStang. The SuperStang is touring the United States on the SuperStang Muscle Tour to help support the Make-A-Wish cause. For more information, visit www,carstar.com.