Winterizing Your Car's Exterior
Winterizing Your Car's Exterior
Providing additional protection for your vehicle in the wintertime is vital to maintaining the paint especially, but also the wheels and glass. Snow and ice, and the scraping it takes to remove them, can be as rough on your vehicle as they are on you. This article will walk you through a few products and procedures that will give your vehicle just what it needs to weather the winter storm.
The Paint:
Two words: road salt. Salt used to de-ice the roads can also de-paint your vehicle if you're not careful. A quality paint coating, wax or sealant combined with correct maintenance will get your paint finish through the chilly months.
Paint Coatings:
Your best bet for winter paint protection is a paint coating because they last longer than your typical paint sealant (some coatings last over 2 years!), require less reapplications, and need minimal maintenance. Not many people have the right set-up for a full on car wash throughout the winter, and protecting your paint with a paint coating makes it easier to keep clean.
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Different paint coatings have different features and advantages. Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Spray Coating is easy to use and can be applied to all exterior surfaces including paint, glass, headlights, and hard exterior trim. With up to a year protection and resistance to dirt, grime, salt, and other car washes, Wolfgang Uber Ceramic is ideal for winter months. BLACKFIRE Pro Ceramic Coating is ideal for both professional detailers and detailing enthusiasts thanks to the ease in which it can be applied and the up to 2 year longevity. Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Ceramic Coating PRO, when applied and maintained properly, provides up to 4 years protection as well, and will stand up against UV rays, airborne contaminants, dirt, acid rain, road salt, and other common pollutants that attack your vehicle on a regular basis. |
The extreme hydrophobicity of Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Ceramic Coating PRO helps keep ice and snow from creating any long lasting marks on your paint.
No matter what paint coating you decide is best for your vehicle, you will receive the best protection and durability through the long winter months with a dedicated paint coating.
Paint Sealants:
The downside of using a paint coating is the amount of prep work required for the coating to perform best. Often claying, compound, and polishing are some of the steps required. If you are not interested in that much prep work, we would recommend a paint sealant. The next best method of protection, synthetic paint sealants feature better durability (some paint sealants provide protection for up to 6 months) than traditional carnauba waxes, less maintenance, and easy application.
BLACKFIRE Paint Sealant is a sophisticated oil-in-water emulsion and is safe for all finishes, with or without a clear coat. This emulsion contains a small amount of a very refined mineral spirit in a water base. Multiple coats can be layered to deepen the gloss without drying or weakening the paint. BLACKFIRE Paint Sealant is very easy to use and can be applied by hand or with a machine polisher.
If you're looking for the ultimate shine along with your protection, Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant provides the best of both! Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0 features fortified polymer technology. Wolfgang's German Super Polymers are fortified with more dirt-repelling power to keep your vehicle cleaner and shinier, longer. Our enhanced super polymers have an amazing anti-static property that repels water, road-salt, oil, dust, and road grime to provide unsurpassed paint protection.
Waxes:
When it comes to protecting your vehicle during the winter months, a high-quality wax can make a significant difference. While paint coatings offer long-lasting protection, traditional waxes still hold a valuable place in vehicle care, especially for those who prefer a more hands-on approach.
Carnauba Wax: Known for its deep, warm shine, carnauba wax provides an excellent layer of protection against winter elements. When applied over a sealant, it enhances gloss while offering a hydrophobic layer that helps water bead and roll off, reducing the risk of water spots and contaminants sticking to the surface.
Pinnacle Souveran Carnauba Paste Wax is a fantastic choice for achieving that rich, deep shine while providing winter protection. Its easy application makes it ideal for topping off your paint sealant. Simply apply a thin layer to your vehicle, and you’ll notice an immediate enhancement in shine, along with added protection against road salt and grime.
Collinite Insulator Wax #845 is another excellent option for winterization, offering up to 5-6 months of durable protection. Its water-beading capabilities are impressive, and when layered multiple times, it creates a formidable barrier against the harsh winter conditions. View here to learn more: Collinite No. 845 Insulator Wax How-To & Review by Mike Phillips (autogeek.net)
For a complete winter protection routine, consider using a combination of a paint sealant followed by a layer of carnauba wax. This technique not only provides extended durability but also keeps your vehicle looking showroom-fresh throughout the winter months.
When the weather permits, take advantage of sunny days to reapply your favorite wax, ensuring your vehicle remains protected and visually stunning, even in the heart of winter!
Winter Washing:
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Washing your car during the winter can be a challenge, but you don't have to leave road-salt and dirt on your car just because you can't do a full bath! Using a waterless or rinseless wash allows you to remove those unsightly contaminants safely. BLACKFIRE Waterless Wash in the ready-to-use spray bottle gives you a powerful ally in keeping your vehicle clean. This high lubricity waterless wash uses BLACKFIRE's proprietary polymers to encapsulate dirt and dust so they wipe away with out scratching. Fingerprints and smudges disappear. Wolfgang Uber Si02 Rinseless Wash is another great solution for winter car care, offering an easy, effective way to clean and protect your vehicle even in challenging conditions. Infused with SiO2, it not only cleans but leaves behind a hydrophobic layer for superior water beading and protection against the elements. |
Meanwhile, the anti-static polymers bond to the paint to reinforce the existing protection and create a whiplash-inducing shine. BLACKFIRE Waterless Wash is a car wash in a spray bottle!
While BLACKFIRE Waterless Wash won't remove your existing layer of protection (if anything, it boosts the performance!), another great option for winter washing is Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine. After you wash your vehicle with Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine, you'll immediately notice the crisp, clear reflections on the paint. This product is perfect for casual enthusiasts and those new to detailing.
Both of these products, as well as most of the other waterless and rinseless washes, can be used on all exterior parts of your vehicle, including wheels, bumpers, rims, and glass, so you can keep your whole car clean this long winter!
Wheels & Tires:
Your wheels and tire need to be protected just as much as your paint does during the winter. Use BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal, a protective sealant for your wheels. It prevents brake dust adhesion, which is a problem year-round, and it repels snow and ice. It does require regular reapplications to maintain a high level of protection but the results are well worth the effort.
As with the paint above, wheel coatings are another great option for protection. CARPRO CQUARTZ DLux Plastic And Wheel Coating blankets your wheels in a rock-hard barrier of protection that is impenetrable by ferrous brake-dust particles, road salt, tar or oil. It also restores the rich look of faded plastic trim and keeps it dark with strong UV protection. Requiring minimal maintenance, just one application will last the entire winter season and up to one year.
Tire protection is two-fold. For starters, the rubber needs to be kept supple in freezing temperatures to prevent cracking. Wolfgang Black Diamond Tire Gel looks great but most importantly; it hydrates the rubber to keep it flexible.
Secondly, make sure your tires are properly inflated. The air inside tires shrinks in cold temperatures. If they become under-inflated, the tread will not make enough contact with the road to maneuver on icy asphalt.