Car Valeting for Winter & Summer

Winter Woes

When winter comes around, you may find that in the newspapers or on television, someone will do an article telling you to prepare your car for winter. Usually this involves checking the washer bottles and topping up with antifreeze.
What they forget to mention is that winter is the time that most damage and corrosion happens to your car. Your car ages in winter. In fact, its estimated that 75% of a car's ageing happens in the winter

It's hardly surprising when you think about it, the roads are wet most of the time, the council puts down salt and grit, and all this sprays up and sticks to your car, harbouring pollutants such as metals and acids.
It's not just your exterior which suffers from the winter. Damp and dirt gets into your carpet, and eventually your seats. Dirt is abrasive, which is why they use it on sandpaper, and it has much the same effect on your upholstery, speeding up the process of wear by many times.

The Solution - there is so much tan can be done!
Valeting your car before winter sets in can protect it from the worst of the damage. I begin a valet by using a pressure washer which blasts dirt and grime from all the little nooks and crannies. This dirt harbours all the nasty stuff which causes corrosion and rust and it is essential that it be removed. Regular washing by hand just can't get to it, and automated car washes tend to add to it by pushing dirt into the hard to get areas.

Next I use a wash and protect shampoo a newly developed, combination of USA and British technology. A truly advanced vehicle shampoo that shines and protects.  Water simply sheets off like the car has just been polished. The paintwork is not just there to look pretty, it's the last line of defence against rust so this really helps… and unless you apply a good quality wax, it's the only line of defence. This is why i recommend a long life wax to see you through the winter. This protects your paintwork so that your paintwork can protect your bodywork.
Then I shampoo and/or vacuum the interior and dress the dashboard with anti-static cleaner. The less dirt and dust in your upholstery, the less the abrasive effects. Keeping the levels of dirt down will extend the life of your upholstery.
All of the above are a worthwhile investment because they will protect your car, helping it to maintain its value and stay younger looking (despite being asked, my treatments only make cars look younger, not people).


Spring & Summer valeting
Once you have made it though the winter, I recommend a spring clean. Although your car may have been protected from road salts, dirt and grime, these will still have accumulated and if left will cause damage.

It's also time to replenish your coating of wax. Waxes and sealants provide protection from the summer sun's harmful UV rays which fade your paintwork. They also provide resistance against the corrosive chemical effects of bird droppings, tree sap and squashed bugs.

Besides, if you are going to cruise around in the summer sun with the windows wound down, you may as well do it in a clean glossy car. If your car looks good, it makes you look good!