8 Key Tips for Winter Driving and Paint Protection

As winter time swiftly approaches the northern hemisphere, it’s important to protect your vehicle’s paint from damage. In this article, we will discuss 8 tips to protect your vehicle and how to stay safe during wintertime driving.

Many people put off protecting their car with Paint Protection Film and Ceramic Coating until spring. However, a lot of paint damage occurs in the winter, and by the time spring and summer arrive, high-quality shops become fully booked. The best time to protect your paint is now.

Tip #1: Avoid Driving Behind Salt Trucks

When the temperatures drop and a snowstorm is expected, salt trucks are out protecting the roads. While this makes roads safer, salt is corrosive, and driving behind these large trucks kicks up rock and stone chips onto your vehicle.

Paint Protection Film (PPF) is great to protect against this debris. If you do not have PPF, stay a few car lengths away from salt trucks or avoid driving behind them altogether.

Tip #2: Wash Salt Off ASAP

If your vehicle becomes soiled by salt and dirt, wash it off immediately. When salt stays on a vehicle for a long time, it speeds up rusting.

Warning: Avoid automatic car washes with large brushes that swirl and scratch your paint. Instead, use touchless car washes or a self-serve bay. Use a pressure washer to rinse off your car, and don’t forget the fender wells and undercarriage.

Tip #3: Use Foam Brushes to Remove Snow

Most basic snow brushes have plastic bristles that can easily scratch your paint. We recommend using a foam snow brush instead.

Tip #4: Apply a Sealant or Ceramic Coating

Sealants prevent dirt and contaminants from bonding with a car’s paint, making snow removal easier. A standard sealant lasts a few weeks.

The Better Solution: Ceramic Coatings work similarly to a sealant but provide a harder, glass-like layer that keeps your car glossy and easy to clean for years rather than just weeks.

Tip #5: Keep Your Tank Full

If you get stuck during a blizzard, having a full tank will keep you warm and not stranded. If storing your car for the winter, look for ethanol-free gas and use a high-quality fuel stabilizer to prevent degradation.

Tip #6: Check Your Tires

Icy roads make driving dangerous. Prioritize checking your tread depth. If you have summer high-performance tires, switch them out for winter tires. Summer tires harden in cold temperatures and lose traction, becoming a hazard.

Tip #7: Keep Your Glass Clean

Haze on the inside of your windshield can make defrosting difficult and glare blinding, especially during low light at dawn and dusk. Keep your interior glass clean and always top off your windshield wiper fluid.

Tip #8: Safe Driving Practices

Always reduce your speed by half in snowy and icy conditions. Stay at least 5 car lengths away from other vehicles to give yourself stopping time and—crucially—to protect your paint from rocks and salt kicked up by the car in front of you.

Summary

With these tips, protecting your paint from winter’s harsh conditions is a breeze. But the best solution is always long-term protection options like Paint Protection Film and Ceramic Coating.