The paint on your car can take a beating in Canada. Exposure to various weather conditions and contaminants over time will take a toll on your vehicle’s paint. In winter, road salt will cling to your car and be difficult to remove. Pollen and sticky tree sap will show up in the summer. These contaminants can damage the paint’s clear coat.
Fortunately, with the right car paint protection methods and a little effort, you can remove these contaminants before they ruin your car’s paint.
1. Wash Your Car Regularly
Rain will not effectively clean your car. Water will evaporate before dissolving contaminants, leaving hard water spots. A film containing road grime will remain. Washing your car is important to remove this buildup, but it can be damaging to the paint if the wrong products are used.
If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can take your car to a professional detailer. In the meantime, be diligent about washing your car. Frequent washing will be easier before deposits build up. With frequent washing, salt will not accumulate as easily in the winter. Before it builds up, rinse the deposits as best you can.
2. Don’t Let Tree Sap Ruin Your Paint Job
Sap from trees will harden to your car’s paint, especially if you park in the same spot regularly. Sap can damage the clear coat, especially if it’s in a high-temperature, high-UV location.
Scraping sap off with nails, tools, or rough materials can damage the clear coat and/or paint. Use a sap remover made for cars and follow the instructions on the packaging to protect the clear coat/paint.
If there’s a lot of sap hardened on the paint and it’s spread across multiple locations, getting it removed by a professional detailer would be a good idea to avoid the risk of damaging the paint.
3. Use a Quality Car Paint Protection
The easiest way to protect your paint job is to add a protective layer after washing. There are many options, like car wax, paint sealants, and ceramic coatings. Car wax offers good protection and also adds a gloss to the paint job. Paint sealants last longer and can be even more protective. Ceramic coatings can make the paint easier to clean and offer enhanced water repellency and protection.
No protective coating makes your car totally immune to all the things that can damage your paint job. Staying up to date with regular washing is still important.
4. Go for Professional Exterior Car Detailing
Sometimes a regular car wash doesn’t remove tough dirt and grime, water spots, or bonded contaminants. To remove these, a more thorough cleaning of the exterior is necessary. For exterior car detailing in Burnaby, get professional mobile detailing done for your car. This way, you don’t have to go out of your way to take your car to a detailing shop. Of course, availability and working conditions play a role. Professional detailing may include a hand wash, cleaning wheels and tires, paint decontamination, and/or sealing. The right treatment also depends on the condition of your paint.
5. Dry Your Car After Washing
You should always dry your car after washing. If you don’t, the water will dry on its own and leave water spots and mineral deposits. This is more noticeable if your car is parked in the direct sun. Drying is also important to remove dirt and grime that has built up on your paint. If your car still has water spots, don’t scratch the surface to try to remove them. There are automotive products that are made to remove water spots.
When washing your car, make sure to do it in a shaded area. Always follow the instructions of the products you are using.
6. Follow a Seasonal Paint Care Routine
Vehicles are subject to Canada’s extreme climates, from the bitter cold of winter to the scorching hot summer. The changing seasons make regular maintenance of your vehicle’s exterior a must. In the winter, you will want to remove grime and road salt from your vehicle. Once spring rolls around, you will want to clean the accumulated residue and check for spots the paint is not able to fully cleanse. In the summer, you will want to clean bird droppings and tree sap. Lastly, in the fall, you will want to avoid moisture and dirt from sitting on your vehicle.
A consistent routine will help your vehicle’s paint stay nice and help with cleanup. A routine of washing, topping, and sealing can help your vehicle stay nice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can rain damage my car’s paint?
In and of itself, rain will not damage your paint. However, rain does pick up pollutants and, if not washed off, will leave mineral deposits on your paint.
2. How often should I wash my vehicle in Canada?
The amount of driving you do is a good indicator of how often you should wash your car. General advice is to wash your car every two weeks. Driving in the winter on salted roads will increase how often your vehicle needs to be washed.
3. What is the best paint protection method?
There are a plethora of different protectants. The best is determined by your budget, driving habits, vehicle condition and your maintenance preferences.
4. Can tree sap damage paint?
Yes, sap can permanently damage paint. The clear coat can discolor and stain. Sap should be removed as quickly as possible.
5. Is professional exterior car detailing worth it?
Professional detailing can help remove stubborn contaminants and improve the appearance of your vehicle. Additionally, they can provide paint protection to help your vehicle maintain its new-car look. This is often worth the cost if you are not happy with the results of your normal washing.
Protect Your Vehicle With Boost Mobile Detailing
Rain, road grime, and tree sap can all dull the shine of your car. You can restore your ride with regular washes, the right car paint protection, and professional detailing. Contact Boost Mobile Detailing to learn more about the services they provide and how they can help you maintain your vehicle.
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