How to prevent winter damage

by | Dec 16, 2025 | Winter Car Care

winter car

winter carWinter is upon us and it’s time to think about protecting our vehicles from the corrosive damage that road salt can do to the exterior of your car. Because of the chemical reaction caused by road salt mixing with water, it speeds up the oxidation process that will eat away at the paint and cause rust damage to your car. The three areas that can be affected are the exterior paint, the underbody, and the interior. So how do we prevent our cars from getting damaged? 

  • Regular washing: It is important to regularly wash your car after driving through road salt. A great step to prevent damage is to wash the salt off immediately. An easy way to wash the exterior, undercarriage, and tires is to take your car through the car wash on cold winter days. Some car wash companies offer monthly unlimited car washes. Consider signing up for one of these to save money and to clean your car often through the winter months. 
  • Apply a protective coating: Wax your car before winter for a finish that will protect the exterior from salt damage. For longer-lasting protection, consider a paint sealant or ceramic coating. These can also protect the underside of your car, where salt buildup is a major concern. You can do this yourself, or you can employ a service to apply one for you.
  • Fix paint chips: If you have flakes of paint that have already departed your car, get these exposed areas fixed with an autobody shop that offers paint repair. By sealing up these chipped areas, it will provide protection against rust. 
  • Use rubber floor mats to protect the interior: Invest in rubber floor mats to hold all the winter slush you track into your car. This protects the floor of your car and is easy to clean. 
  • Avoid puddles and driving directly behind snowplows: This is a pretty simple remedy to keep some salt off your car. Try your best to be cautious and avoid driving through puddles and behind snowplows. 
  • Park in a garage: Whenever possible try to park in a garage to limit the exposure to the winter elements. 

If you follow these tips, your car should weather the winter storms and come out looking shiny on the other side. If you already have paint damage that you need repaired, we offer high quality painting at Heritage Autobody. Contact us today with any needs.