Winter may seem like the most important season for car care with so much salt, sand and slush on the road.
But spring is no time to sit idle either.
Rogue bird droppings, bug guts, pesky pollen, flying flower petals and sticky substances that fall from trees are everywhere in spring.
All can damage your paint job.
Give your car top care this spring. You’ll feel great driving shiny, clean wheels on beautiful days. You’ll also prolong the life of your vehicle.
Here’s how:
Wax
When water stops beading up on your hood, it’s time for a fresh wax, which is the best way to protect the body of your car.
Many people ignore this basic maintenance step, making the detritus of spring even more insidious.
“If there’s no wax protection on there, it’s going to start eating through the clear coat and the actual paint of your car,” said Mike McCalmon, manager at Karmichael Auto Salon in Mukilteo. “The No. 1 thing you can do is keep a good wax on it.”
Automatic car washes often include liquid waxing solutions, but applying a paste wax by hand offers longer protection, McCalmon said.
“You can definitely do it on your own,” McCalmon said, adding that the process can take two to three hours at home.
Wayne Rickard, who has owned Wayne’s Auto Detailing of Marysville since 1987, recommends waxing at least every six months, not just for protection but for easier upkeep.
“If it’s detailed and waxed, instead of taking you 45 minutes to wash it, it could take you 20 minutes,” he said.
Wash
If you’re just not likely to wax your car, you should wash it regularly, at least once a month.
People who notice bird droppings or crusty flower petals should spray them off immediately, followed by a thorough wash later. Letting stuff sit is not advisable.
“The acid in it will go right into your paint,” Rickard said.
Vacuum
You wouldn’t go a whole year without cleaning your house, right?
Don’t do that to your car, especially if you have shedding pets or messes from kids.
“We see the worst of the worst,” McCalmon said. “We can spend, literally, an entire day just vacuuming a car. If you want to hold the value of your car, you’ve got to maintain that stuff and not let it build up so much.”
Detail
Car-detailing packages take auto cleaning to the next level. Most include a wash, wax, window cleaning inside and out, vacuuming and shampooing throughout the vehicle, including the trunk, and tire dressing to make the rubber look shiny and new.
If detailing seems like a luxury, it might be an ideal gift for a hard-to-shop-for family member, perhaps for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.
“It’s kind of like cleaning your house. People just don’t think about it on cars, though,” Rickard said of detailing. “They think, ‘Yeah, it’s all right.’ “
Sarah Jackson: 425-339-3037, sjackson@heraldnet.com
Resources
Karmichael Auto Salon, 11400 Mukilteo Speedway, Mukilteo. 425-493-1550, www.karmichaelauto.com.
Detailing packages range from $99 to $299; a hand wash and wax costs $64.95.
Wayne’s Auto Detailing, 7302 44th Ave. NE, Marysville. 360-659-8941. Detailing packages start at $169.95.
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