Car Care for Life by the Ocean

Congrats for making your dream of living in coastal Orange County come true. You now have easy access to the waves for surfing and beach for volleyball. 

All this sun, surf, and sand mean fun for you but not so much for your ride. The year-round rays and salty air can ravage the exterior finish. Humidity, dew, and fog seep into the body and corrode nuts, bolts, and other components. The longer your vehicle stays exposed to these conditions, the worse the damage becomes.

Luckily, if you live by the ocean, you can preserve your wheels by taking a few easy steps.

Park It in a Garage

Keeping your car in an enclosed space for most of the day is the best way to protect it from damaging environmental conditions. This action also prevents the cabin from getting too hot when you’re ready to drive. If you don’t have access to a garage at home, see if you can rent one from a neighbor, friend, or somewhere else.

Try a Car Cover

If an enclosed space is not available, try a cover to protect your vehicle when it’s parked outside. Spring for one that’s custom-made for your model and trim to ensure that it fits appropriately and covers as many exposed parts as possible. Make sure you get an outdoor cover that is tough enough to guard against bird dropping and tree sap as well as coastal weather. Indoor covers are not as durable and made only to protect against dust and scrapes.

Wash and Wax Regularly

If you allow salt, moisture, sand, and dirt to sit on your new car for too long, the finish starts to deteriorate, allowing rust to form. Take your vehicle to car washes regularly or do it yourself to clean the exterior, and then add wax to protect the finish. Your ride will also look good with this constant attention.

Repair Damage Right Away

When a car is continuously exposed to the sun and sea air, it may develop rust spots in as little as five years. You can spot signs of this corrosion before then if you give your vehicle a quick visual inspection before every drive. Look also for areas with scratches or where paint has chipped off because they are more vulnerable to rust. If you spot anything, get the area repaired as soon as possible to prevent rust from forming.

Don’t Forget the Interior

The interior of your vehicle can be just as susceptible to damage from beach activities as the exterior is to the sun and sea air. Preserve your cabin with all-weather floor mats to protect the carpet. Put a custom liner in your cargo area to shield against wet and sandy stuff. Rinse yourself and your footwear before entering your car to eliminate any sand and salt that are clinging to your body and clothes.

Need to get your car taken care of today? Alternatively, are you looking for a new model to grace your coastal digs? Visit one of the auto dealers at Beach Boulevard of Cars.