Every fall, West Michigan car owners tuck their summer cars, convertibles, classics and weekend toys away for the winter. Most people think about the battery and the car cover. Fewer think about what is on the car when it goes into storage. That matters more than you might expect, because whatever is on your car in November is still sitting there in April.
Why a dirty car gets worse in storage
A car in storage is not moving, not getting rinsed by rain, and not being looked at every day. Anything left on it has months to do damage:
- Bird droppings and bug guts are acidic. Left on the paint for months, they can etch the clear coat and leave marks that need polishing to remove.
- Road grime and brake dust bond to paint and wheels the longer they sit, making them much harder to clean in spring.
- Tree sap and water spots harden over time and can leave lasting marks on paint and glass.
- Food crumbs and wrappers inside the car are an open invitation to mice and other critters looking for a warm place to spend the winter.
- Moisture and dirt in the carpet can lead to musty smells and mildew when a closed-up car sits for months.
The benefits of putting your car away clean
- Protects your paint. A full hand wash and decontamination removes the contaminants that eat into the clear coat, and a coat of paint sealant adds a protective layer while the car sits.
- Keeps critters out. A thorough interior vacuum removes the crumbs and food smells that attract mice. Mice can chew wiring and nest in seats and vents, which gets expensive fast.
- Prevents odors and mildew. Cleaning and drying carpets, mats and upholstery before storage keeps the inside fresh instead of musty.
- Protects leather, vinyl and convertible tops. Cleaning and conditioning keeps interior surfaces from drying out and cracking over a long rest.
- Spring is easy. Instead of fighting baked-on grime when the weather turns nice, you pull the cover off and go for a drive.
- Protects your investment. For a classic or collector car, keeping the finish and interior in top shape helps protect its value.
Winter car storage checklist
A clean car is step one. Here are a few more things to do before you park it:
- Fill the tank and add a fuel stabilizer, then run the engine for a few minutes so the stabilizer gets through the system.
- Hook up a battery tender (or disconnect the battery) so it is not dead in spring.
- Set the tires to the correct pressure. Some owners add a few extra PSI to help prevent flat spots.
- Use a breathable car cover. Plastic tarps can trap moisture against the paint.
- Skip the parking brake on long storage if your car allows it, and use wheel chocks instead.
- Crack a window slightly if the car is stored indoors, to help keep the interior from getting stale.
Let us do the hard part
Our winter car storage detail gets your car ready to sit: a full hand wash and decontamination, paint sealant, wheels, tires and wheel wells cleaned and dressed, the engine bay cleaned, a full interior detail with shampoo and conditioning, and every last crumb removed. If you have a convertible, we clean the top too.
Through November 30th, save 20% with code PUTAWAY26. Bring your car to our shop at 1815 S. Beacon in Grand Haven, or our mobile detail team can come to you. See all the details and book on our Specials page, or call 616-402-8278.
Want protection that lasts well beyond one winter? Ask us about GT Quartz ceramic coatings.