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 wax or sealant combined
with correct maintenance will get your paint finish through the chilly
months.
 Your best bet for winter paint protection is a paint sealant because
they tend to last longer and require less frequent reapplications. If your only
concern is durability, Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze offers the best long-term
protection. Its acrylic-based formula is like body armor for your car and it
lasts up to a year. The finish is not as dramatic as that of a wax, but if the
sun peaks out one day, you can use a carnauba topper like Pinnacle Souverän
Carnauba Wax to amp up the shine.
If you prefer a balance of durability and gloss, use Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint
Sealant 3.0. Once cured, Wolfgang Deep Gloss will provide 4-5 months of
paint protection and an attractive, high gloss finish. It's beauty and substance
rolled into one easy-to-use product.
The Forum
Favorite Kit gives you both the acrylic protection of Klasse and the
carnuaba shine of Souveran. Start with All-In-One to clean the paint, seal it
with Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze, and then top off the paint with Pinnacle
Souveran. The Klasse twins will absolutely protect the paint from snow and ice,
and the Souveran wax makes it easy to maintain a nice shine.
We’ve heard great things about the durability of Collinite Insulator Wax #845; 5-6 months on average. It has a nice
gloss and an amazing water-beading effect. Multiple layers is the key to durable
protection all winter long.
Duragloss Total Performance Polish (TPP) #105 is another
long-lasting synthetic sealant that stands up well to the elements all year
round. Layer this over Duragloss Polish Bonding Agent (PBA) #601 for the maximum
benefits.
The ultimate way to protect your paint through the winter months is
with a coating. Detailer's Paint Coating is one of the more popular choices. This
particular product is comprised of nano-glass ceramic particles and
state-of-the-art cross-linking polymers. As soon as these nano-glass ceramic
particles make contact with your paint, they begin to fill in light swirls,
pits, and pores to make the surface perfectly smooth, preventing dirt, water,
oil and anything else from adhering. Detailer’s Paint Coating is resistant to
alkaline cleaners, degreasers and harsh detergents, making it a great choice for
winter paint protection. Application is simple, straightforward and the
protection lasts up to two years.
 Winter washing can be a challenge, but you don’t want to leave road
salt on your vehicle. DP
Rinseless Wash & Gloss is a unique car wash that does not require
rinsing, or even running water. All you need is 2 gallons of water, a clean wash
mitt, and a microfiber drying towel. DP Four-In-One cleans the paint with plenty
of lubricants and it does not need to be rinsed, which makes it perfect for use
inside a garage (preferably with a space heater!). And, DP Rinseless Wash &
Gloss keeps your paint protection
intact. |
Wheels & Tires: Protect your vehicle’s wheels just like the
paint. Use Detailer's Wheel Glaze, a protective wax 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. Another great option is Detailer's Wheel
Coating. This product is a nano-based ceramic glass coating that provides
the best protection possible for your wheels. Like Detailer's Wheel Glaze, it
will keep the wheels clean and protected, but it will last noticeably longer.
Application is simple and straightforward.
Tire protection is two-fold. For starters, the rubber needs to be
kept supple in freezing temperatures to prevent cracking. Pinnacle Black Onyx
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. Accutire’s Professional
Metal Digital Tire Gauge measures psi from 5 to 99 in half pound
increments.
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Windshield and wipers:
Wurth Windshield Wash
Additive is an antifreeze and cleaner that will keep your windshield clean
and frost-free. Simply add it to your windshield washer fluid according to the
directions. The additive protects against freezing down to -22°F and overspray
will not affect paint, plastic, or rubber.
Everyone in snow-prone areas needs a quality ice scraper. The Ice Master Ice Scraper removes
all kinds of frost, snow and ice from the windshield and windows with four blade
configurations.
If scraping doesn't appeal to you (we understand!) 1Z Einszett De-Icer Spray is a
quick solution to an icy windshield. 1Z Einszett De-Icer Spray penetrates and
speeds up the removal of light snow, ice, and frost. It does the hard work for
you, so you can easily push the frosty remnants off the glass.
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Garage: If your vehicle is covered in snow, you’re garage floor
soon will be. The Park
Smart Heavy Duty Clean Park Garage Mat has a raised, removable lip around
its edges to hold liquid until you have the opportunity to squeegee it out of
the garage. The mat also catches oil to prevent stained concrete.
If you travel during the winter, you must have a Battery Tender
battery charger! A Battery Tender battery charger keeps your car battery
fresh over long periods of inactivity, saving you the cost of battery
replacement. The Battery
Tender Plus is our most popular model.
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Cover it up! If you have to park outside during the winter months,
consider a car cover. The Block It 400 Evolution cover is heavy duty protection against
moisture and impact. If you want considerable protection in a lighter weight
cover, the WeatherShield HP cover is manageable enough for everyday use and
it offers great protection against the elements.Interior Protection
WeatherTech
Floorliners offer durable, full coverage protection for your vehicle's
carpet. These mats hold moisture, like snow and mud, and cover more area than
traditional floor mats.
De-Icing Your Vehicle Once winter sets in, arm yourself with the best ice scrapers and snow
movers. Choose from the MINI
IceDozer Ice Scraper or the SNOBRuM Snow Removal Tool. Each tool is made for heavy duty ice
and snow removal and they're safe on automotive surfaces.
Ice scraping is easier when you use 1Z Einszett
De-Icer Spray. It penetrates snow, ice, and frost so it can be easily
scraped away.
Clean your windshield and prevent re-icing with 1Z Einszett Anti-Frost Washer Fluid. It works down to -20°F!
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