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It sure does rain a lot in Florida in the summer, even though it is called the “Sunshine State.” With all of the annual rainfall, it’s not just people who have to worry about getting wet; cars can suffer from the rain too, directly and indirectly. But there are ways one can prevent rain damage.
What to Do Before the Rain
Most likely your car has been stuck in the rain once or twice by now, and one way to make it even stronger in the rain is by washing it. Whether going to a car wash or washing the car yourself, be sure to dry and wax the vehicle all around. Wax or a quick detailer can help prevent rain damage by putting a protective coating around the car, almost like an invisible layer that will cause the water to run off faster and dry quicker. Plus, the less wet a car is, the less airborne debris it will collect.
Think about investing in a car cover, those huge rain coats people drape their vehicles in. It may not look pretty, but it’s one of the best ways to keep a car free from the rain, other than parking indoors such as a private or public garage. For the underside of the car, mudguards will help keep excess mud and water from slapping into a vehicle’s undercarriage.
There’s also a few maintenance tips we all try to put off. Who has wiper blades that just make a dirty windshield worse? We’ve all been there, but when it comes to the rainy season, replacing wiper blades, changing worn tires, and getting the headlights checked for visibility are all little things one should do before getting caught in the rain.
What to Do After the Rain
So you got caught in the rain on your way home from work, it’ll happen. After it stops raining, there’s a couple of things you can do. First would be to inspect the car for an accumulation of dirt. A little isn’t bad, but the more you leave on the sooner it will become a lot of dirt, and that can damage more than just your paint job. Rinse the car off, wash it if it’s really dirty, and then dry off your car with a clean towel.
Check around the car. Depending on the materials used for around the exterior, mainly the metal bits, are prone to rusting. You could invest in an anti-rust lubricant if it’s an ongoing problem, but today most vehicles come with an anti-corrosion or perforation warranty. Check the details of your warranty to find out what exactly is covered, and if you can get the current rust fixed, then definitely get some anti rust solution.
This last one is a little weird, and not many people may know about it. If the windows of your car aren’t sealed very well, or just got worn down over the years, then after the next heavy rain, you’re going to hear water sloshing around in your car. It’s not a bottle of water and it’s not the gas tank. It’s excess water trapped INSIDE your doors.
Weird right? If you look along the bottom of the door, you’ll see several plugs. They’re removable, but one may need a thin yet sturdy object, like a screwdriver, to pry them off. Then just let the water drain out.
That’s all for today. There’s a good chance it’s raining as you read this. Let us know of any other tips you have for protecting a car from rain and water damage.