Protecting your car's exterior from winter conditions is more crucial than you think. If you live in a climate like we do where you experience snow or icy conditions, then you want to make sure you do what you can to protect your investment. Between the salt, the sand, and the mix of chemicals your surfaces are exposed to, the elements can negatively affect appearance. On top of the salt and sand you may wonder what else is your car being exposed to?

WHAT CHEMICALS ARE USED IN ANTI-ICING AND DE-ICING?

Sodium chloride (salt), magnesium chloride, calcium chloride,
calcium magnesium acetate and potassium acetate are chemicals
used to prevent and remove snow and ice from roadways. VDOT
uses liquid magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and sodium
chloride for anti-icing and pre-treatment. Sodium chloride and
calcium chloride in dry form is used for de-icing but can be used in
some cases for anti-icing.

Doesn't sound very good does it? Well don't worry. We have some tips to help make sure you protect your car, truck, or suv from these harsh elements and keep it easy to clean.

You can protect your paint by applying a wax, sealant, or coating. Which you choose depends on how long you want to keep your paint protected, what kind of winter your vehicle is exposed to, and what kind of maintenance your able to do during winter.

Ceramic Coating:

The best bet for protecting your finish is using a ceramic coating such as Limitless Car Care Ceramic Coating for paint. While a coating inevitably takes time to prep the car and time to properly apply it can protect your car for more than just the winter season. If applied correctly and maintained properly a coating can last for years not just months. Not only will it protect your car for a long period of time it generally makes cleaning a breeze as it creates a super hydrophobic barrier that dirt and water fall right off of.

Washing:

Just as much as proper protection is crucial to keeping your vehicle's finish protected, washing the salt, sand, chemicals, and road grime off is just as crucial. Make sure to use a pH balanced soap like Limitless Lather Gloss Enhancing Maintenance Soap that is extra slick to help prevent against putting swirl marks into the paint while trying to remove the large particles of sand. Something like the Recharge Si02 Soap for Ceramic Coated Surfaces offers a slick wash along with Si02 protective properties to help enhance protection and durability of your wax, sealant, or coating. If the conditions are too cold to allow for a normal wash process the next best option is a waterless wash like Waterless Wipe V2 Eco-Friendly Si02 Waterless Wash, also containing those Si02 protective properties. Packed full of emulsifiers and plenty of lubricity to help ensure a safe and effective removal of contaminants.  

Hopefully these tips are helpful in ensuring your vehicle's exterior stays protected from all that winter has to offer. Remember to stay safe out there during winter conditions as they can be unforgiving. Happy Detailing!!!