The weather can cause a lot of harm to your cars, such as rust and deteriorating paint. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent this from happening. This article will teach you how to properly protect your car from rough weather conditions.
Upgrade Your Garage
Your garage is important for protecting your car from the elements, but if you have an older model, you need to upgrade it. Not only should there be ample space for your car, but it also needs to be able to protect against rust and harsh weather conditions. Upgrading your garage or choosing from prebuilt garages is the best way to accomplish this. If you are working on a tight budget, try upgrading one section of the garage at a time.
One part to prioritize is your garage door. The doors that you use today can cause all kinds of problems like rust and deteriorating paint. You need to make sure the garage door is sealed correctly and not letting any water get in.
You can do this by making sure the garage door is expanding and contracting properly. If your garage door has problems you can feel it bulging or sagging when opening and closing it. This is due to the natural wear that they take over time. There are ways to repair this problem yourself, if there are any visible cracks in the door you should seal them up with caulk. If you do not know how to repair the door yourself, then you should call a professional.
Other parts of the garage to upgrade include the floor, ceiling, and walls. If you have a cement floor it can cause rust to form on your car’s rims.
A good way to stop this from happening is by installing an epoxy coating over the floors of your garage. This will make them smooth enough for any chemical spills or stains that may be left behind during storage.
The ceiling of your garage needs to be high enough to accommodate taller cars.
Finally, you need to ensure that there are no cracks running through the wall due to poor construction or termite damage. These cracks will allow moisture in, which is the number one cause of rust in cars. It’s best to test any beams in your garage walls by using a drill bit that attaches to your screwdriver. If it fits into any opening or gap then you should replace that part or beam with new ones.
Invest In A Car Cover
Investing in a car cover is another way of protecting your car by keeping it dry. If you are willing to spend the extra money on a quality car cover, then this will pay off in the long run. Using an inferior one may end up trapping too much moisture inside, which can cause rust or mould on the interior of the vehicle.
Additionally, you should make sure that you buy a cover that matches the size of your car. The best way to do this is by measuring all four sides and matching them up to a pre-sized cover for the car model. This will save you time from having to return an incorrect one later on down the road.
If you are unable to afford a cover, then you can opt for using large objects to shield your car from the weather. A tarp will work well if it is raised above the body of the car so that there are no openings where water could seep through.
Prevent The Body Of Your Car From Rusting
A good way to keep water out is through routine washing, waxing, or using a sealant on your car’s exterior. Not only will this remove dirt or mud before it ends up causing problems, but it will also allow you to get rid of any rust spots that are already present.
The next thing you will need to do is seal off the body panels with paint that contains a rust inhibitor, especially after the winter weather has passed. This should be done for the undercarriage, the front of the car, and all its edges.
Remember to not neglect any area of the body of your vehicle that is prone to rusting like the bottom of door frames. If you notice that there are places that are rusted or corroded then you need to replace them immediately before it spreads into another part of the vehicle.
Cleaning The Interior Of Your Car
The inside of your car needs the same attention as the outside in regards to rusting or water damage. You can do this by using baking soda, vinegar, and club soda when trying to remove stains on the upholstery. These are safe products that will not cause any type of irritations, but you should still test them out on a small area before applying them to the whole car.
Another way you can prevent rusting inside of your vehicle is by using an air purifier. These are good for eliminating mould, mildew, and bacteria that could be found in water that has leaked into cracks or openings of your upholstery.
The seatbelts in your car should be checked for any wear and tear, which can cause a loose fit. If they are not retractable then you should replace them with new ones from the dealer or an aftermarket supplier. Seatbelts that are not working properly can cause you to become trapped inside your car if they snap during an accident.
It’s also important to check the condition of seats firmly before trying to adjust them. If there is any sign of rusting underneath the upholstery then you need to replace this immediately, since these rusted areas can be very sharp and dangerous.
Protect Your Tires
Not protecting your tires is another common cause of rust in cars. The best way to do this is by using anti-rust paint on the edge of the tire, along with a spray that contains a metal sealant. You can apply these products in small sections until you have covered all four tires.
Although they can be a hassle to clean, you should also cover your rims once they have been cleaned. This is done with wax paper and masking tape which will allow you to easily remove it later on in order to wipe off any dust that accumulates in the future.
By following these steps, you can keep your car safe from any potential rusting or damage after harsh weather conditions have passed through. Upgrading your garage, investing in a good quality car cover, and using the right measures to clean it, should prevent damaging rust from occurring after time has passed.