Fall Car Care Checklist – Protect Your Paint Before Winter

Q: How do I protect my car paint before winter?

Use a ceramic spray like Tough As Shell to seal your paint before cold weather. Clay the surface, apply the spray, and finish with a clean microfiber for long-term protection.

Q: What’s the best fall car wash process?

Start with a foam pre-soak, wash with a microfiber towel, deep clean wheels, clay the surface, and apply a sealant like Tough As Shell.

Q: Should I clean my engine bay before winter?

Yes. Cleaning and dressing your engine bay in the fall can help prevent buildup and protect rubber and plastic from drying out during cold months.

Leaves, rain, temperature drops, and early sunsets mean one thing—fall is here. If you want to keep your car looking sharp through the coming months, now’s the time to give it a proper seasonal refresh.

This checklist walks you through the top detailing steps to protect your paint, trim, wheels, and interior before the weather turns ugly.

1. Pre-Wash and Foam the Car

Start with a contactless pre-wash using a foam cannon or pump sprayer. This helps lift dirt and debris without scratching the paint. We recommend:

The Super Soaper – Safe on waxes, sealants, and ceramic coatings
Orange Wash Microfiber Towel – For safe contact washing

2. Deep Clean the Wheels and Tires

Brake dust and road grime get worse in wet fall weather. Use an acid-based cleaner to cut through buildup:

Pure Magic Cleaner – Tough on grime, safe on clear-coated wheels

3. Clay and Decontaminate the Paint

Fall is the perfect time to remove bonded contaminants before sealing the paint. Use a clay mitt or bar after washing.

4. Apply a Durable Ceramic Sealant

Don’t let water, mud, and leaves stick to your paint. Protect it now with a ceramic spray:

Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray – Up to 12 months of real protection

Want to Prep Faster?

The best one-two punch for fall is Tough As Shell + The Super Soaper. Wash, protect, done.

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5. Clean and Dress Trim + Engine Bay

Cold weather fades unprotected trim fast. Hit it with a dressing that won’t streak or sling:

All Dressed Up – Matte, OEM-style finish for trim, tires, engine bay, and rubber

6. Interior Touch-Up

Back-to-school means carpool chaos. Give your interior a fast refresh before winter gunk sets in:

Complete Cabin Cleaner – Cleans and protects all interior surfaces without streaks

7. Final Drying + Protection Touches

Don’t let water spots or streaks undo your work. Use a soft towel to dry and a final wipe of ceramic spray to lock everything in:

Massive Drying Towel – Ultra absorbent and safe for all paint types

Fall Car Care Checklist – Protect Your Paint Before Winter

Fall Car Care Checklist – Protect Your Paint Before Winter

1. Pre-Wash and Foam the Car

2. Deep Clean the Wheels and Tires

3. Clay and Decontaminate the Paint

4. Apply a Durable Ceramic Sealant

Want to Prep Faster?

5. Clean and Dress Trim + Engine Bay

6. Interior Touch-Up

7. Final Drying + Protection Touches

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