How to Prep Your Car for Rain, Leaves, and Mud
Fall is one of the most damaging times of year for your vehicle. From clogged drain channels to acidic leaf stains and sticky road grime, it doesn’t take long for your car to suffer. Here’s how to stay ahead of the seasonal mess before it becomes a costly problem.
Why Fall Weather Is Brutal on Your Car
Falling leaves release tannins and acids that etch into paint if left sitting. Wet roads kick up road salt, tar, and fine debris that sticks to your paint, wheels, and undercarriage. Mud and moisture collect in hard-to-reach areas, leading to corrosion. If you’re not proactive, the damage adds up fast—especially in door jambs, trim seams, and wheel arches.
5 Steps to Prep Your Car for Fall Weather
1. Clean Out Cowl and Drain Channels
Pop your hood and trunk and inspect for leaf buildup, especially around windshield cowls and trunk seams. Blocked drains lead to water pooling and even interior leaks. Use compressed air or a vacuum to remove debris, and rinse thoroughly with low-pressure water to confirm drainage. Check again after your next few drives—leaves build up fast.
2. Pre-Wash with High-Lubricity Foam
Start with a contactless foam soak using The Super Soaper. Let the foam dwell to loosen grit and organic buildup, then rinse before doing a two-towel wash using the Orange Wash Microfiber Towel. This approach helps remove stuck-on leaf matter and fine contaminants without dragging them across your paint.
3. Protect Paint with a Hydrophobic Shield
Apply Tough As Shell to all paint, glass, and trim. It repels moisture, leaves, and mud with a tight water-beading effect. Apply in cool shade and buff to an even finish with the Softer Than Soft Microfiber. In wet, muddy conditions, hydrophobic protection makes maintenance much easier between full washes.
4. Dress Trim and Rubber Seals
UV rays and moisture wreak havoc on exterior plastics and rubber during fall’s low-angle sunlight. Use All Dressed Up for a matte, OEM-style finish that restores and protects. Apply with a foam applicator pad. Don’t forget to coat door seals to help prevent freezing and cracking as colder nights approach.
5. Don’t Skip the Engine Bay
Leaves love to collect under the hood—especially around strut towers and near the firewall. Foam it down with The Super Soaper in a pump sprayer, agitate with a soft brush, and blow it dry with a cordless tool like the Ryobi Cordless Blower. Dress exposed plastics with diluted All Dressed Up for a clean, factory finish and added protection.
Fall Protection in Under an Hour
Foam. Spray. Dress. With the right prep, your car will shrug off fall grime like it’s nothing.
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