Now that monsoon season is nearing the end, the weather is cooling down and winter is upon us, it’s a good time to think about cleaning the contaminants that the windy showers worked into the surface of your vehicle and prepare the exterior for the next season. Although, Arizona is one of the warmer states and the winters aren’t as intense as they are in the northern areas of the US, it’s good to keep some things in mind if you plan on taking a trip to a region of the states where there will be snow. In this article, we’ll be focusing on the work mechanics at Phoenix auto repair shops recommend doing to keep the paint on your vehicle from deteriorating and keep rust from popping up and corroding the vehicle’s body when these issues can be prevented with regular maintenance. 

To start, let’s talk about giving your car a wash, free it from any kind of debris that could potentially damage the clear coat and paint. It’s good to start with a thorough rinse, give the car a spray down with the hose to knock loose as much of the debris that can be before that sponge is put against the surface. Doing this will not only loosen and make it easier to wipe off any debris stuck to the exterior, but it will further reduce any bits that might cling to the sponge and scratch the surface. It is also recommended to spray, or pour a soap solution onto the vehicle to further soften those hardened bug splatters. When you go to wash, be sure to do so top first and work your way down. Doing it this way, you will work on the areas of the vehicle with the most debris last, which will save the rest of your car from potentially getting scratched by dirt and rocks that may stick on the sponge. 

Be sure the surface of your vehicle is cleaned entirely before moving onto the next step, though, as going forward you will be applying a slight pressure and working wax into the finish of the vehicle in a swirling motion. To be absolutely sure there is nothing on the surface, add the additional step of running a wet clay bar on the car’s surface, because that clay bar will pick up tiny particles making the finish rough-feeling. You will move the bar in a swirling motion as you would the pad to apply wax. Now that the surface is clean, here at our auto mechanic shop Phoenix, AZ, highly suggest putting that protective layer on that wax provides. Not only does waxing your vehicle allow that color to sparkle and shine, but it can protect your paint from the harmful UV rays of the sun and minor scratches. It’s a good idea to wax as often as your car needs it to increase the longevity of your car’s paint. It all depends on the types of weather conditions the vehicle has been exposed to. For instance, a vehicle that is garage-kept may not need to be waxed as often as one that is not. Keep in mind to never wax your vehicle in direct sunlight. 

 While cleaning and waxing the surface of your vehicle sustains the life of the paint, what about underneath the car? As the winter months are upon us, and some of us may travel out of state for the holidays, salt thrown out on the road can be detrimental to the undercarriage of your car: causing rust to corrode the metal and ultimately making it very difficult for a car mechanic Phoenix, AZ to do work under the vehicle. But it can be prevented, of course! When a storm has passed, it’s a good idea to give the undercarriage and wheel wells a good rinse, don’t let the salt sit there too long or you could start to see the effects take place. Not only is it a good idea to rinse during this time, but it’s a good idea to try and spray away any material build-up regularly to make it easier for auto repair Phoenix, AZ mechanics find the source of a potential leak. 

Keeping up with a clean vehicle is only beneficial for you! Going to a drive-thru car wash may be the easier way to do it, but it won’t do the most to protect your paint in the long run. Not only for the best interest of your vehicle’s lifespan and to help your local Phoenix auto repair shops, but you will learn more about your car and maybe build more of an appreciation for it.