Whether you lease or outright own your Toyota, chances are, you want to keep your beloved car looking good throughout the wintery season. The cold weather and all that comes with it can be harsh on many aspects of the vehicle, including the paint job. The following tips can help you protect your Toyota’s finish in the winter, so that your car can keep looking as good as new.
Protecting Against Road Salt
When there’s snow and ice, there’s also road salt. This substance can be your paint job’s worst enemy, as it tends to cling to the car and doesn’t seem to ever go away. In order to protect your vehicle from road salt, add a layer of polymer wax to your car’s exterior the next time you have it washed.
This extra layer provides a shield between your Toyota’s paint job and that pesky road salt. Be advised to still keep your car clean throughout the winter, which you’ll find much easier when you’ve used wax.
The Benefits of Pressure Washing
Every so often, you can consider pressure washing your vehicle during the winter. Yes, the wax will protect against salt and grime, but that doesn’t mean these substances won’t cake onto your vehicle. Pressure washing will blast away this dirt, warding off rust and erosion in even the most hard-to-reach places, such as your car’s undercarriage and wheel wells. After pressure washing, of course, be sure to add a new layer of wax for continued protection.
Dry Your Car Thoroughly
It would be difficult to keep your Toyota dry after every snowfall, but you should dry the exterior thoroughly after washing. Otherwise, that hard water will sit on the surface of your vehicle, which could be bad for your paint job as it could leave behind water spots. Use rags that are 100 percent cotton or sheepskin, as materials like microfiber and polyester can actually scratch your car.
Be Careful When Removing Snow and Ice
Clearing ice off of your windshield and blankets of snow off of your car every morning can become tedious, but it is important to your paint job that you do so carefully. Consider using soft bristled brushes or even foam brushes to remove snow and avoid scratching your car. Proceed with caution when using an ice scraper on your windows, as well. You wouldn’t want to slip and scratch your car’s exterior.
The Wonders of Spot Cleaning
After a long or particularly rough drive, don’t be afraid to spot clean your vehicle. Wash away road salt near your wheels, wipe off spots that are caked in icy mud, so on and so forth. After spot cleaning, you can use a spray-on wax to protect these same areas.
Once the snow clears once and for all, and the weather starts to warm back up, consider having your vehicle detailed by a professional. This will ensure that there are no remaining deposits of grime from the winter that will silently erode away your car’s finish. You can drive on into spring in a flawless Toyota.
Image via Pixabay
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