Don't Let Bad Weather Damage Your Car's Finish

October is Fall Car Care Month Protect Your Investment with Tips from Meguiar's

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 1 -- Road trip season is in the rearview mirror, and with wet weather and poor road conditions around the corner, October is the perfect time to take simple steps to protect your investment. To maintain that new car shine through fall and winter, Meguiar's, the leader in vehicle appearance care, has Four Car Care Tips to keep your car looking its best.

  1. Thoroughly clean and protect your vehicle while the mercury is still
     above freezing.  Follow the five steps of perfect car detailing - wash,
     clean, polish, protect and maintain.  For maximum protection from
     Mother Nature, it is important to clean the paint using a clay bar kit.
     This will remove all bonded contaminants and prepares the surface for
     wax, allowing it to thoroughly protect throughout the season.
  2. Regularly wash your car.  The purpose of washing during fall and winter
     is less for beauty and more for preservation.  Focus on keeping debris
     and de-icing materials off the car so they do less damage to the
     surfaces.  In areas where it's too cold to wash your own car, use
     self-service car washes to wash debris off the car, focusing on wheel
     wells, lower quarter panels, undercarriage and wheels. However, do not
     use the brush tool, as this will damage the paint. On clear days, try
     washing at home with a bucket of warm water and a mitt that keeps your
     hand dry.
  3. Glass care is important during fall and winter.  Begin by cleaning your
     front and rear windows using a clay bar kit, then apply one of the many
     products that provide extra winter protection.
  4. Care for your interior by using separate floor mats throughout fall and
     winter that will protect your carpet.  Regularly clean leather and
     vinyl to protect from water, mud and snow.

For over 100 years, Meguiar's has been making cars "show car perfect". Chosen by 22 out of 24 "Best of Class" winners at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Meguiar's provides specialized products for every automotive surface, including paint, wheels, tires, and interiors. For more information, go to http://www.meguiars.com/.