Wisconsin uses a lot of road salt and liquid brine, and it's brutal on vehicles. Here's the checklist we give every customer in Berlin, Oshkosh and the Fox Valley before winter.
Before the first snow
- Get a full wash and decontamination. Remove summer bugs, tar and iron fallout so protection bonds properly.
- Add protection. A ceramic coating lasts years. A quality sealant lasts a season. Either beats bare clear coat.
- Protect the interior. Rubber floor liners and a fabric protectant keep salt stains out of carpet.
- Restore your headlights. Winter nights are long. Hazy lenses cut visibility.
During winter
- Rinse the undercarriage and wheel wells whenever temperatures climb above freezing.
- Avoid brush car washes on coated or dark paint, because the grit acts like sandpaper.
- Vacuum and blot salt stains before they set.
In spring
A spring Complete Detail removes the salt film from paint, jambs, carpets and the engine bay before it causes long-term damage.
Want it handled for you? Our Winter Ceramic Special and maintenance memberships are built for Wisconsin winters.