Winter is coming in many parts of the country; for drivers, that means snow, ice, road salt, and dirt. Rust is the mortal enemy of drivers everywhere, and it can become especially prevalent in the winter with so much water and salt on the roads. Our guide will offer tips 5on how to defend your car from rust this winter.
Wash Frequently
The simplest but most effective strategy for keeping rust off your vehicle is by keeping it as clean as possible. In the winter, snow, slush, dirt, and road salt can get all over your car, and it can seem like the roads are coated in them.
Most people don’t have the time to wash their cars every day to remove salt and dirt. However, the cleaner you keep it, the better chance your vehicle has of fighting off the rust. You should try to wash your car about twice a month—ideally by hand, but in the cold winter, a drive-through car wash is still better than nothing.
Wax Regularly
Next to frequent washes, regularly applying a coat of wax is one of the best strategies for defending your car from rust this winter. Wax doesn’t just make your car shine and look pretty—it provides a protective coating against salt, water, and dirt for your vehicle’s exterior.
Most automotive experts recommend using carnauba wax, but if you can’t get your hands on that, most other waxes will do just fine. Generally, waxing your car twice a year is good enough. But if you live in a region with long winters and heavy snowfall, you should apply a new coat every three months.
Get a Fresh Paint Job
Has your car’s paint job seen better days? Are there parts of your car with chipped or faded paint? A new paint job will make your car look new again and provide another layer of protection against rust.
There are many reasons to get your car professionally painted—it boosts the resale value, for one. But perhaps most importantly, it gives your vehicle a strong line of defense against corrosion. A paint job isn’t just cosmetic; it’s also protective.
Pro Tip: While getting a new paint job, consider applying a paint protection film to help protect your vehicle’s exterior for up to a year.
Apply a Rust Inhibitor
Your vehicle’s chassis is most vulnerable to rust as it’s directly exposed to the salt, water, and dirt of the road. You can’t wax or paint your car’s undercarriage, but you can apply a rust inhibitor.
Rust inhibitors are a mixture of chemicals that help slow the oxidization process of metals exposed to oxygen and water. For cars, a spray coating of rust inhibitor on the chassis can significantly reduce the chances of rust taking hold of your vehicle.
