How to protect your car from rust this winter 🏁
Rust is one of the biggest things that will keep your car from looking awesome.
Typically, we'll notice new rust forming in the springtime when temperatures start to rise.
By then, it's too late. You should have taken steps to protect your car before winter.
So here are a few things you can do if you have no choice but to drive your car in the winter months:
1. Store it
No, seriously - if you truly care about your car and you can afford to buy a winter beater, this is the best way to keep it safe.
Aside from the chance of rust and corrosion developing, winter driving also creates a high risk of accidents or impacts from chunks of ice and snow.
2. Get it oil-sprayed
I'm a big fan of oil spraying, even though it's a very messy process.
We have a great place locally that specializes in this, but if you don't have someone like that, you can go to Krown or a place that sprays Fluid Film or Wool Wax.
As long as they do a thorough job of putting a high-quality oil on your undercarriage, you're good - just don't use a rubberized undercoating (it makes matters so much worse).
This video has some great info about oil spraying in it.
3. Protect your paint
You can go all-out on a ceramic coating if you want to, but it's not required.
Doing a deep cleaning, then applying a layer of paint sealant is a great way to prep your car for the winter.
It'll help to keep salt and grime from sticking to the paint as well as make it easier to wash off.
4. Touch up any rock chips
A lot of people miss this one - but if you have any chips in your paint that are right down to the bare metal, they can turn into rust bubbles REALLY quick.
This can be avoided super easily by sealing them up with touch-up paint.
It might not be the prettiest thing in the world, but a bad touch-up job still looks way better than a rust spot!
5. Keep it clean (when possible)
I know, washing your car in the winter is one of the last things you feel like doing.
But just remember, the contaminants that are on it are actively fighting against whatever protection you might have on the car.
The quicker you can remove them from the equation, the quicker the fight ends (and your protection wins).
In this video, I shared how I wash my trucks in the winter (maybe I'll make a new version this winter!)
If you choose not to oil spray your undercarriage, rinsing it off regularly is a must for the winter.
However, if you DID get it oil sprayed, I'd recommend simply leaving it alone for the winter. While it's pretty robust, there's always a chance of rinsing some off with a pressure washer.
6. Don't park in a heated garage if it's dirty
This last one is a little controversial, but remember that rust forms in warm temperatures.
So if your car is covered in salt from the last storm, parking it in your heated garage is actually the worst thing you can do!
If it's outside in freezing temps, rust is much less of a threat.
This video has more info if you're interested.
