Blog

The beautiful snow­covered landscape might make you think of hot cocoa and
downhill skiing, but for winter drivers the snow mostly conjures up nasty thoughts
of salty roads and the grimy buildup that comes with them. Given that a dirty car
usually means rust damage in the future, here at Vesas Automotive we thought
we’d give our customers a few cleaning tips to keep your car clean and your
passengers safe.

1.      Always pre­wash with soap and water
   1. It might seem like common sense, but doing a pre­cleaning preparation
   with simple soap and water is one of the most crucial steps to cleaning
   your vehicle. Not only does the moisture help to loosen large particles
   of dirt and debris, but soap chemically reacts with water to break up oil,
   grease, and grime molecules and surrounds them with a barrier called a
   “micelle.” This allows dirt to be rinsed away without harsh scrubbing,
   preventing damage the finish or scratched paint.
2.      Match your products to the job at hand
   1. When cleaning, use a lint­free rag or cleaning cloth (preferably made of
   cotton) to avoid abrasive surfaces that can scratch the glass/paint or
   leave residue behind. Microfiber cloths can also be used. If using Armor
   All wipes or a similar product, make sure the cleaner and cloth are
   properly rated for the surfaces you’re cleaning as some chemical
   agents can actually speed up deterioration rather than prevent it.
3.      Don’t underestimate underbody washing
   1. It’s fairly easy to clean body panels and other surface components of a
   vehicle, but the underside of your car is often the most neglected and
   least protected. Mufflers, exhaust systems, gas tanks and even the car
   frame are notorious for collecting the sludge and salt of winter, and are
   often the first areas on a car to show rust damage. When possible, it’s a
   good idea to select the underbody wash option at automated car
   washes at least once a month to remove salt and dirt accumulation, or
   (if you’re ambitious and have the proper equipment) get underneath
   your vehicle and clean it by hand.
4.      Dry dry dry!
   1. After finishing up with your cleaning regiment, it’s important to take that
   extra time to remove as much residual water as possible. Salt is famous
   for causing damage to vehicles, but the destruction really begins when
   the salt mixes with standing water to accelerate the oxidation process.
   Since it’s pretty much impossible to remove every single bit of road salt
   from your vehicle, keeping water from collecting behind fenders, under
   wheel wells and other areas is the next best thing.

As Old Man Winter keeps fighting with us the rest of the season, Vesas
Automotive will keep bringing you new tools to fight him off. Keep checking our
blog for updates and happy driving!