How Vancouver’s Seaside Air Affects Your Car Paint – And How to Protect It

Vehicle Owners are often concerned with the effect the climate has on their vehicle but one climate effect that is often overlooked is the effect that seaside air can have on a vehicle when you live in a coastal city like Vancouver. Seaside air is often salty and humid, bringing with it its own concerns for the overall health of your vehicle. In today’s blog we will be specifically looking at the effect that Vancouver’s seaside air can have on your car’s paint and how you can protect it.

How does seaside air affect your paint?

Living and driving on the coast means that your car is regularly exposed to humid, salty air that will settle on the exterior of your vehicle. This can lead to issues for your vehicle’s paint such as accelerated corrosion where your paint is scratched or chipped, with moisture settling in and rusting metal components of your car. The wet, salty Vancouver air also threatens your vehicles clearcoat, the thin exterior coating that protects your paint, wearing it down and exposing the paint underneath which can lead to fading, pealing and other damage.

How to protect your car from seaside air

Now that you know how Vancouver’s seaside air can threaten your paint here are several ways you can protect your paint from the salt and humidity.

Regular Washes

One of the best ways to protect your paint from the seaside air in Vancouver is to ensure that it never settles on your car for too long, you can avoid this settling by regularly washing your car. This will remove the salt and grime that have settled on your car’s exterior and prevent it from eating away at your clearcoat.

Ceramic Coating

Applying a ceramic coating to the exterior of your car adds an extra layer of protection against the salt and humidity. Ceramic Coatings are hydrophobic and prevents salt, dirt and moisture from collecting on the car’s exterior.

Waxing

Waxing adds another barrier against salt for your Car providing a water repellent surface that reduces salt exposure.

Use a Car Cover

Using a high-quality car cover designed for outdoor use will prevent salt, humidity and UV rays from damaging your car’s paint while it is not in use.

We hope we have been able to show you how you can protect your car from the harmful effects of Vancouver’s seaside air. If you have any questions about car washes, please feel free to contact us.

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.