SEASONAL CAR CARE TIPS AND MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
A vehicle doesn’t stand a chance unless it has been professionally treated to protect it against the harsh elements. Regular maintenance should be followed throughout the year. Educated decisions save you money, help prevent a loss in value, help vehicles sell faster, provide a healthier environment and reduce costly repairs. Each season brings about new challenges but a well protected vehicle has a fighting chance.
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
- Wash every 2 weeks
- Exterior detail every 30 days – 90 days
- Vacuum every 2 weeks
- Shampoo and detail interior every 30 – 90 days
- Have paint chips touched up as you notice them
- Seal the paint with wax every 60 – 90 days
FALL & WINTER CAR CARE
Canadian winters can be harsh taking their toll on the many surfaces of your vehicle. Protective barriers should be applied to your paint, tires, glass, plastic, carpet, upholstery, vinyl, rubber, plastic and metal to arm it against seasonal elements such as salt, gravel, ice and snow.
Regular washing & waxing will help protect your vehicle’s exterior from road salt, gravel and ice that can produce scratches on your car and allow moisture to penetrate the painted surfaces. After repeated expansion and contraction from thawing and freezing; the paint eventually weakens causing cracks and allowing ultraviolet light as well as environmental pollution to penetrate the top paint or clear coat. This leads to what is known as oxidation – a dull or hazy appearance.
All colors of paint are susceptible to oxidation. Red, black and dark color paints are at greater risk though because these color pigments tend to absorb more UV than light colors. Once oxidation has set in the method of correction can be both time consuming and costly. The process involves having to decontaminate and remove the top layer of paint through a compounding process and high speed polishing. In severe cases wet sanding is required.
Exterior Detailing
To prevent etching, erosion, cracking, fading and corrosion additional exterior detailing should include proper cleaning and protective treatments to tires, paint, rims, wheel wells, chrome, glass, plastic, vinyl and rubber surfaces.
Interior Detailing
Interior detailing should be added to your car care maintenance to reduce damage and erosion that can occur to carpets, vinyl and upholstery. During the winter high levels of moisture are accumulated in the vehicle causing mold and mildew – creating an unhealthy environment and deterioration of the surfaces. Regular shampooing, vacuuming and treatment the various surfaces with protective coatings protect the interior of your car from moisture, salt, allergens and debris.
SPRING & SUMMER CAR CARE
Preparing your care for warm weather conditions is just as important as the preparation for cold climate conditions. Spring and summer car care is essential in the protection against extreme heat, environmental pollution (industrial fallout), acid rain, hail, bird droppings, humidity, road dust, debris, sap, bugs, road paint and road oil. Spring & summer car care should follow the same schedule of winter maintenance to prevent rust, peeling, flaking, cracking, fading, etching and erosion. Do not forget to include your convertible roof in your spring and summer car care regimen. Special attention should also be given to your leather and vinyl interiors.
