Ziebart Buffs-Up For Winter

TROY, Mich.--Ziebart International, which has 600 stores in 44 countries, has recently co- branded with Speedy Auto Glass and Rhino Linings to create a what it calls a “complete vehicle winterizing store.”

Ziebart’s interior and exterior services include professional detailing; paint and fabric protection; rust protection; window tint; electronic systems; and an array of other accessories, particularly for trucks, such as spray-on bedliners and running boards.

“Snow, salt, slush, mud and grime contribute to millions of dollars of vehicle damage each year,” according to Tom Walker, vice president of product development at Ziebart. Walker says that there are a number of preventive measures that vehicle owners can take to preserve the life of their cars and trucks.

• Wash vehicles on a regular basis. It is important that motorists wash their vehicles as much as possible to remove corrosive elements, such as salt, from the paint and undercarriage.

• Wax vehicles before winter. Though vehicles should be waxed throughout the year, waxing is especially important before winter. Waxing forms a protective layer that will help shield the paint from the harsh winter elements.

• Install splash guards. Splash guards will prevent mud, snow, ice and salt from building up on the undercarriage and behind the tires. This keeps the vehicle looking cleaner and also protects lower body paint from stone chips.

• Purchase “sacrificial” floor mats. Purchase inexpensive, sacrificial floor mats to absorb winter’s muck. This will save custom mats from incurring permanent damage and will also help to preserve and protect the carpet beneath the mats. Bathroom throw rugs are ideal for this purpose because they can be thrown in the washer when they get dirty.

• Repair all window chips and cracks. In order to withstand drastic temperature changes, car windshields need to be in perfect form. The smallest of windshield cracks or chips can easily spiderweb into a big problem if left unattended. Many insurance companies will pay for the entire cost of chip repair.

• Apply a water repellant to all glass surfaces. Water repellant will help heavy rain, sleet, snow and ice to bead up and roll off the windshield, which will increase visibility in poor driving conditions. This is extremely important in the winter when winter weather conditions reduce the effectiveness of windshield wipers.

• Check the drain plugs in vehicle doors. When moisture lingers in the interior of the doors and trunk, vehicle owners may have trouble opening doors on cold days. Owners should be sure to clean the drain plugs, located on the bottom of the doors, and clear them of any debris or dirt. This will also help slow corrosion. A squirt of lubricant in each exterior lock will prevent winter freeze-up, too.

• Warm the vehicle before driving in cold weather. In addition to making the drive more comfortable, warming the vehicle for ten minutes will soften the interior materials and prevent cracking of leather, vinyl and seats. “A remote car start system from Ziebart is a perfect way to prevent this,” Walker notes. Always make sure the vehicle is outside while running to avoid carbon monoxide build-up.

• Protect the interior with a fabric guard. Months of snow and slush on the interior of any vehicle will increase the deterioration rate and cause problems sooner than any owner would like. Be sure to protect all interior fabric with a water and stain repellant.

• Coat the inside windshield with an anti-fog coating. Due to the extreme change of temperature outside the windshield and inside the vehicle, the windshield tends to fog up more easily in cold weather. Minimize this effect by coating the inside windshield with anti-fog applicant.

Ziebart was established in 1959 and is headquartered in Troy, Mich. For more information, contact www.ziebart.com.