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Winter Wash-and-Wax

Protect your paint from the cold and wet

As the days get a little shorter and the weather a little frostier, the last thing on your mind may be the paint on your car or truck. That paint, the thin layer of space-age polymers, is all that makes the difference between your vehicle looking like the shining gem it is, and that chalky, oxidized, paint-peeling rust bucket your crazy relative or neighbor drove until the doors fell off. The important thing to remember here is that the paint needs to stay strong enough to protect the steel underneath, yet flexible enough as not to dry out and lose its strength.

Fend Off Fury

Nothing beats up the paint on your ride like the relentless forces of Old Man Winter. To make things worse, in our efforts to combat the buildup of ice and snow on the roads, we unleash tons of corrosion-causing salt into the slushy mix. Without proper protection, the winter weather can do a number on your vehicle's finish, wicking away the components of the paint that keep it strong.

Once the materials that keep the paint tough, yet flexible, get baked dry by the sun or dry winter air, or wicked away by the relentless pelting of moisture, the paint loses its ability to protect the steel underneath from oxidation and rust. This opens the door for the oxidizing properties of road salt to speed up the process of ruination—and soon all is lost.

Fortify Your Finish

The good news is that a little preparation goes a long way in protecting your paint, and your investment underneath. A properly applied coat of protective wax acts as both a sealant to keep the good stuff inside your paint, and a protectant to keep the bad stuff away. Which type of wax you use is largely a matter of choice. Some will swear by classic Carnauba while others will rant about the miracles of modern science and synthetic formulas. Quality is more important than type—and any protection is better than none at all.

While there are many modern machines that will help you do the job, sometimes the best and gentlest method is a good old-fashioned hand wax. Before waxing any vehicle, the paint surface must be properly prepared. A good cleaning is the first step. Start with the vehicle parked in the shade, and wash with an automotive soap from top to bottom. Never use dish or regular detergent, as it is too harsh for automotive paint. Completely rinse the vehicle first. The last thing you want to do is scratch the finish by pushing dirt around.

Next, reverse the process and make things dry. An automotive squeegee and clean, soft chamois or microfiber towels help achieve this task. Finally, apply wax according to the manufacturer's instructions. Work in small sections, not getting too far ahead of your self. Applying a quality coat of wax at least every six months will go far in protecting your finish, and keep your ride looking fresh. If all goes well, the next time you bust out the wax, it will be a warm spring day.