Autumn car care – top tips & products to prepare your car for the colder weather

Autumn car care – top tips & products to prepare your car for the colder weather

There is no doubt that as Autumn approaches, cleaning your car becomes a more frequent necessity.

Colder temperatures, constant rainfall and dirt from the roads can take their toll on your car, especially if it goes unprotected for too long. Even the most car proud may find it trickier to maintain a pristine clean during the cold, dark Autumnal season.

However, it remains just as important as ever to keep on top of your car cleaning. Failing to properly clean your car in Autumn will not only impact its appearance, but it can also age paintwork and leave long-lasting damage.

Autumnal weather isn’t the end of the world, though. Autoglym is here to provide you with a list of the best products for ensuring your car not only survives, but thrives in the colder months ahead. This blog will detail what you need to do to keep your car looking healthy and pristine into Autumn.

Ultra High Definition Wax

First and foremost, to keep your car protected in the colder months, you’re going to need to add a layer of protection to your paintwork.

As Autumn approaches, snow, heavy rain, icy weather and salt grit on the roads combine to impair your paintwork. Thankfully, there are a number of Autoglym products that offer depth, detail and durability to your car clean, ensuring the paintwork keeps in pristine condition whatever the weather.

One such product is Autoglym’ s Ultra High Definition Wax. UHD Wax combines a premium blend of the finest ingredients to produce long-lasting, mirror-like shine for up to 6 months. The wax will create a layer of protection that acts a barrier and prevents road salt sitting directly on top of the paint, making it easier to clean. This means longer protection, and a super-shiny finish. To get the best result, follow the instructions:

1. Inspect your clean and dry paintwork for contamination or light scratches, and if required, treat with Surface Detailing Clay Kit or Super Resin Polish.
2. Dampen the white side of the supplied wax applicator. Gently dab the applicator on the wax in the pot and then apply to clean, dry paintwork in a light circular motion, leaving a thin even layer on all painted surfaces. Do not over apply as this may make the wax difficult to buff later. Do not apply to unpainted rubber or unpainted plastic trim.
3. Leave wax film to dry on the surface for between 10 and 15 minutes. Buff to a high gloss with the supplied Hi-Tech Finishing Cloth, turning it frequently during use.

 Ultra High Definition Shampoo

To maintain this protection throughout the Autumn months, wash using our Ultra High Definition Shampoo.

Autoglym Ultra High Definition Shampoo is cleverly designed to remove dirt from your paintwork, but not any previous waxes or coatings. This will ensure after each wash your car looks silky smooth, with a mirror-like shine, for the ultimate post-clean satisfaction.

Ultra High Definition Shampoo produces an abundance of soft, dense foam. The foam lasts for longer in the bucket and on the car. The excellent ‘cling time’ will reassure you that no matter the weather, this shampoo will cut through dirt and grime like its nobody’s business.

To get your car looking pristine through Autumn, we would recommend one, early autumn wash using a thick layer of shampoo, followed by the wax. If you haven’t got any wax, then try Autoglym’s Extra Gloss Protection for added protection against the elements.

To use UHD Shampoo, simply follow these instructions:

1. Shake well. Pour 4 capfuls into a bucket and add 10 litres of warm or cold water.
2. Hose bodywork to rinse away excess dirt. Always work on a cool surface, shampooing the car from the roof down, moving the sponge or wash mitt in straight lines, regularly rinsing your mitt in your bucket with grit guard. Do not allow the shampoo to dry on the car.
3. Rinse well with clean water and dry with a Microfibre Drying Towel to prevent water spots.

Rapid Ceramic Spray

The fact remains, just one detail at the beginning of Autumn isn’t enough. Thankfully, regular top ups are a quick and easy way to ensure the miserable weather doesn’t make your car look miserable too.

A quick and easy way to maintain your car’s pristine appearance is Rapid Ceramic Spray. Rapid Ceramic Spray boosts your paintwork protection with a simple spray and a microfibre buff. The tropical scented product offers up to 3 months of durable hydrophobic protection, and the unmistakable deep gloss finish will help your car withstand a downpour of rain or snow.

To win the battle against salted streets, icy roads, freezing temperatures, and heavy snow, simply do the following every 3-4 weeks:

1. Wash the car thoroughly
2. Shake well and work on wet or dry painted surfaces in an area no larger than a shoulders width apart. For dry cars: Spray sparingly directly onto paintwork or onto a clean microfibre cloth or applicator and spread. For wet cars: Spray sparingly directly onto paintwork and spread with an Autoglym Instadry, two to three sprays per panel is sufficient.
3. Take a clean Hi-Tech Microfibre Finishing Cloth and buff to a high gloss before moving to another area of paintwork. Use additional cloths as required.
4. A second coat may be applied, allow 24 hours between applications.

Autumn car care can prove tricky, but with the right products and right approach, you can protect your car’s paintwork, as well as stand out from the neighbours with an unbeatable silky-smooth finish. For further tips and advice on preparing your car for the colder seasons, follow the Autoglym Facebook and Instagram pages for product news, car cleaning advice and top tips and tricks for a pristine finish.