We’ve had a mild winter so far in Cincinnati, but trust the Auto Body Guru when he says it’s not over yet. Despite the unseasonably warm weather and the evidence of little green shoots popping up ahead of time, the cold and snow haven’t finished their round this season. And when it does return, your car or truck will once again be assaulted by road salt.

This unwelcome hitchhiker, while preventing accidents by making slick and icy roads safer, will attack your vehicle from top to bottom (especially the bottom). Rust and corrosion show up as part of a natural chemical process…one that can damage your vehicle’s paint and in some cases create mechanical problems as well.

Your car is an investment worth protecting, and when it comes to road salt and its insidious effects, there are ways you can fight back. The simplest way? Car washing.

As Neil Young once said, rust never sleeps. It is, however, a process that takes time, which gives you time to get those road chemicals, salt, and grime off your vehicle. The sooner you can wash it away, the quicker you stay on top of the battle of corrosion.

Here are some car washing tips to help keep your ride shining and safe from the ravages of salt and road chemicals.

Wash your car two to four times a month during the winter months. There are many local car wash establishments, one is sure to be near you.

After washing, be sure areas that hold moisture are dry. Open and close doors and the trunk, where water will sit after a wash.

Rain is not an effective car wash. The dirt and pollutants from the air (acid rain) can damage your car’s finish.

Get your undercarriage cleaned when you get a wash. That’s where rust will do its dirty work hidden from view, and potentially damage exhaust systems and other undercar components.

Whether you’re in Mt.Adams, Walnut Hills, Hyde Park, or Finneytown, we’re ready to serve you with free estimates, answers to questions about auto body repair, or anything we can do for you or your car. Give Nate or Jason a call at 513-631-2406 or email us at cccollision@gmail.com.