3 Wash Tips To Keep Your Car Fresh In The New Years

The arrival of January in Coquitlam often brings more than just resolutions and fresh starts. It brings a relentless mixture of freezing rain, slushy road spray, and that stubborn layer of road salt that seems to cling to every inch of your vehicle.

If you want to maintain your investment and keep your vehicle looking its best throughout the season, implementing 3 wash tips to keep your car fresh in the new years is the most effective way to start your maintenance routine.

Tackle The Hidden Road Salt Underneath Your Vehicle

One of the most overlooked aspects of winter car care is what you cannot see from a standing position.

When the local road crews treat the Lougheed Highway or the streets around Coquitlam Centre with brine and salt, that material does not just sit on the pavement. It gets kicked up into the intricate crevices of your car's underbody. This creates a perfect environment for corrosion to take hold on brake lines, exhaust systems, and the frame itself.

Simply spraying the sides of your car with a garden hose at home will not solve this problem. You need a high-pressure undercarriage blast that can reach the hidden pockets where salt accumulates. At our Coquitlam location, our tunnel is specifically designed to target these hard-to-reach areas with precision.

Consider the following reasons why underbody cleaning is vital during the winter months:

• Salt acts as a catalyst for rust especially when mixed with moisture and fluctuating temperatures.
• The chemical compounds used in modern road brine are designed to stick to surfaces making them harder to remove with standard water pressure.
• Accumulated debris can trap moisture against metal components leading to premature wear and expensive repairs.
• A clean undercarriage allows for better heat dissipation from your engine and exhaust systems.

By prioritizing a professional wash that includes an undercarriage treatment, you are essentially buying insurance for the structural integrity of your vehicle. It is the first and most important step in our 3 wash tips to keep your car fresh in the new years. We recommend this service every time you visit our tunnel to ensure that no salt is left behind to do its damage during the damp spring months that follow.

Apply A Durable Ceramic Shield To Fight Off Pacific Rain

In the Pacific Northwest, the rain is almost a permanent fixture of our daily lives during the early months of the year. While water itself might seem harmless, the contaminants it carries can lead to water spotting and paint oxidation.

Traditional waxes provide a temporary shine, but they often struggle to hold up against the acidic nature of rainwater and the constant friction of road grit. This is where modern ceramic technology becomes a game changer for local vehicle owners.

Our ceramic shield services provide a hydrophobic layer that literally repels water on contact. Instead of the rain sitting on your hood and collecting dirt, it beads up and rolls off, taking much of the surface dust with it.

When you choose a ceramic-infused wash at Shine Auto Wash, you are getting several layers of protection:

• Enhanced UV protection that prevents your clear coat from fading during those rare but intense sunny winter afternoons.
• A smoother surface that prevents dirt and bird droppings from bonding to the paint.
• Increased chemical resistance against the harsh detergents often found in lower-quality cleaning products.
• A lasting shine that remains vibrant for weeks rather than days.

The application of these specialized sealants is part of what makes our process so effective. We use calibrated equipment to ensure an even coating across every panel of your car. This ensures that your doors, roof, and trunk all receive the same level of protection.

Commit To A Consistent Weekly Washing Schedule

Consistency is the secret ingredient to long-term car health. Many drivers make the mistake of waiting until their car is visibly filthy before seeking a wash. By that point, the contaminants have already had weeks to sit on the surface, potentially etching into the clear coat or causing micro-scratches.

Regular washing prevents the buildup of "traffic film," which is a greasy layer of oil, soot, and rubber particles that settle on your car from the exhaust of other vehicles. This film is notoriously difficult to remove if left too long and can dull the appearance of your paint over time. By maintaining a weekly routine, you ensure that this film never has the chance to harden or bond with your vehicle's exterior.

There are also psychological benefits to keeping a clean car as you start the year:

• A clean interior and exterior reduce stress and make your daily commute more enjoyable.
• Regular maintenance increases the eventual resale value of your vehicle by preserving the paint quality.
• You are more likely to notice small issues, like rock chips or tire wear, when your vehicle is clean and well-maintained.
• A professional wash is a quick and rewarding task that helps you stay on track with your other New Year goals.

Our location in Coquitlam is designed to fit into your busy schedule. We know that nobody wants to spend their entire Saturday morning scrubbing their car in a driveway. Our high-capacity tunnel gets you in and out in minutes, providing a better clean than a hand wash ever could. Making this a weekly habit is the most effective way to protect your vehicle and keep it looking fresh throughout the entire year.

Maintain Your Momentum For A Brilliant Year Ahead

Keeping your vehicle in peak condition does not have to be a daunting task.

By focusing on undercarriage health, utilizing ceramic protection, and sticking to a regular schedule, you can easily implement the 3 wash tips to keep your car fresh in the new years.

These small investments of time and care pay huge dividends in the long run, saving you from expensive bodywork and helping you maintain pride in what you drive.

Shine Auto Wash has been serving the Lower Mainland since 2009. With three convenient locations, Shine Auto Wash offers advanced automotive cleaning and protection technology and a service that is quick and efficient. 

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about car washes, we encourage you to call us in Vancouver at (604) 806-0800.