Winter can certainly put your auto maintenance habits to the test. Without adequate preventive care, a single snowy season can shorten your vehicle’s lifespan and deteriorate its appearance. In the Twin Cities, where most roadways are covered in salt, one of the most prevalent winter vehicle concerns is rust development. Corrosion will not only mar the body of your automobile, but it can also damage its internal components.
Fortunately, it’s 100% possible to prevent rust formation. To help you keep your ride in top condition this winter, the experts at Minnetonka Collision share effective rust prevention tips below.
Schedule Auto Body Repair for Minor Dents and Scratches
If the body of your vehicle contains minor scratches, dents, or dings, that damage can promote rust development unless you seek prompt auto body repair. Because minor body damage breaks the protective coating on your vehicle’s paint job, moisture can readily enter the damaged area. And when metal, moisture, and oxygen get together, they react to form rust.
Wash Your Vehicle Regularly
Keeping the exterior of your vehicle clean is one of the best ways to prevent corrosion on both the body and undercarriage of your automobile. In winter, salt, snow, ice, dirt, and road debris can quickly build up on the outside of your vehicle as you drive around town. And when these substances remain on your vehicle for a prolonged period, they increase the risk of corrosion.
To prevent rust development, it’s best to wash your vehicle every 10-14 days throughout winter. For best results, avoid washing your ride at home since frigid temperatures will prevent water evaporation. Take your vehicle to a professional car wash that has the appropriate drying equipment to do the job properly.
Apply a Coat of Wax
Applying wax over your paint job is a great way to prevent rust formation on the body of your vehicle. Since wax keeps snow and ice from accumulating on your automobile, it dramatically reduces the likelihood of corrosion. So how often should you wax your ride?
Most auto body repair specialists recommend applying wax twice a year, in the spring and fall. However, if winter weather is particularly bad and the roadways have extra salt and dirt, consider thoroughly waxing your vehicle a couple of times during the snowy months.
Apply Corrosion Inhibitor
The chassis of your automobile, more commonly known as the undercarriage, gets the most exposure to damaging salt, dirt, and moisture throughout winter. And since the undercarriage of your vehicle doesn’t feature the same protective coating that the body has, it’s more susceptible to rust formation.
Fortunately, there are several corrosion inhibitors on the market that are designed to protect the underside of your vehicle from rust. Applying just a single layer of rust protection can dramatically reduce the chance of corrosion and extend the life of your car or truck.
Need to Schedule Auto Body Repairs? Contact Minnetonka Collision
Whether you’re looking to fix minor dents in your body paneling or address serious body corrosion, you can trust your vehicle to our team at Minnetonka Collision. Our state-of-the-art shop is a high-end, advanced collision repair center, and we specialize in all types of auto body repair. To schedule a free estimate or learn more about our services, call our Plymouth, MN office today at 763-230-7805 or contact us online.