How to Protect Your Car from Weather Damage

Posted by Sheryl Wright on July 22nd, 2021

Owning a car is exciting, but you have to continue to invest your energy if you want to protect your car. While you will hopefully avoid wrecks and other major issues, weather damage is something every car owner has to be prepared to address. Luckily, there are ways to protect your car from heat, hail, and other extreme weather conditions.

Seal Openings

The rubber linings around your vehicle's doors can crack or rip. Don't let them stay damaged because this will invite water into your car when it rains or snows. Make sure you regularly check your car for openings and have them repaired as soon as possible. Repairing the openings will help ensure the inside of your car is not water damaged.

It's also a good idea to check your windshield wipers for signs of damage. If they aren't clearing away water or look like they are starting to tear, you need to have them replaced. Wipers that can't clear your windshield of water and debris are a hazard when you are driving.

The Right Paint

The paint on your car can make a huge difference when it comes to weather damage. Paint protection film can actually protect your car from even more than weather damage. While it holds up against snow and ice, it also keeps bugs and road debris from damaging your car. The right protective film can even protect your car from salt damage and stains that occur when your car is accidentally bumped by another car door.

Investing in a paint film can help you avoid paying to repair damage in the future. Most even come with warranties that will give you peace of mind. Plus, you can have a film placed over your headlights and mirrors so more than just the body of your car gets protected.

Keep a Cover

If you have the option to park under a carport or in a garage, do it. This can keep your car safe from heat, hail, and wind damage. If you don't have a covered parking area, invest in a car cover.

A car cover protects your paint and can even help protect the interior of your car. By keeping direct sunlight blocked from your windows, a good cover can help the exterior and interior of your car retain the original color.

You also won't have to wash your car as often if you have a car cover because it will be protected from dirt, leaves, and everything else that can get on a car and ruin the paint.

Take Care of Cracks

A small crack in your windshield may not feel like a big deal. These often happen when stones or other items from the road hit our cars while we are driving. However, these small cracks can be worsened when the weather changes, so you should have them fixed as soon as you notice one appear.

The cold weather can cause your windshield glass to retract and spread a small crack over a much wider distance. Instead of simply repairing a crack, you could end up having to replace your entire windshield. Make sure you take care of cracks before the weather gets colder so you don't have to spend more money when the damage worsens.

Don't Forget the Inside

It's easy to focus on the exterior of your car when you think of weather damage. However, there are small things you can do that will also protect the inside of your car from excessive wear and tear. Simply wiping down the inside to remove dirt can help keep your car cooler and ensure you don't end up with extra cracks and dirt inside.

Seat covers are also a great idea if you don't want heat to damage your seats. If you don't want to cover leather seats, at least make sure to treat them with a leather conditioner so they stay in good shape regardless of the temperature outside.

If you can't park in the shade and don't want to cover your entire car, simply get a windshield cover to protect your car from the sun. Simple to install and reasonably priced, these will keep your car cool and prevent heat damage.

Take the time to protect your car now so you won't have to deal with damage that could have been avoided.