RCZ1 said:
In what way is it brittle - does it say?
Here's the text:
Salt - One Of Your Cars' Worst Enemies
While most of us cringe at the thought of using a local hand wash garage, most good hand car washes offer a high-pressure wash to flush the underside of your vehicle if you ask them to.
If you don't have a hand car wash within your are or even one that will be prepared to offer you an undercarriage wash, find a do-it-yourself wash and use the high-pressure hose that you would normally use to wash the body with, alternatively buy a head attachment for your hose pipe at home to flush the underside of the car as best as
possible.
We would recommend you wash your car as often as possible in winter as many of us tend to slack off from our regular wash routine in the winter months because of the cold, wet weather. When you are blessed with a dry day, try and find the time to wash or have your car washed. Easier said than done, we know. But well worth the time.
Protect Against The Harsh Winter Weather
Keeping your car waxed/sealed and the rubber and vinyl treated is the best way to maintain a healthy exterior finish.
Traditional carnauba based waxes may not hold up in harsh winter conditions, so if you have not already done so, you may wish to change over to a synthetic wax or sealant for winter protection.
Unlike carnauba waxes, a polymer or acrylic resin sealant can shield against water and road salts. A high quality sealant should last through about three months of a harsh winter.
Our recommendations include:
Poorboys EX-P
Collinite 476S Super Double Coat Wax
Collinite 845 Insulator Wax
Meguiars Synthetic Sealant #21
Additionally application of wax is not as effective in the winter
months due to the low temperatures, unless of course you have a heated garage you can work in. However we would recommend that you still make this one of your winter care jobs as it is better to have some protection, than none at all. Quick detailer sprays are also a great way to buff up the paint and restore a thin film of protection as well.
Other parts of your cars' exterior such as the bumpers, trim and rubber door seals also need extra protection when the temperature drops. These materials are affected by extreme temperatures and the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation causes fading, hardening and cracking, especially in the winter with a reduced ozone layer. When properly maintained; door, bonnet and boot seals will maintain their shape and elasticity longer, providing a better seal. Both Wurth Rubber Spray and Wurth Rubber Fit are specially formulated and designed to protect and maintain your cars rubber seals.
Interior - Although Inside, They Also Need More Care In Winter
Winter is also hard on car interiors. The cold, dry air of winter
also tends to pull out the moisture from your leather and vinyl. It therefore also important to treat the interior prior to the onset of freezing temperatures.
Once the daytime temperatures dip to near freezing, leather and vinyl will not gain a lot of benefit from the application of conditioners at that temperature, we would therefore advise you get this done now whilst we have a relatively mild spell.
For leather we recommend Glitpone Leather Conditioner and for vinyl either Meguiars Vinyl & Rubber or Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber Care.
Wheels & Tyres - At The Sharp End Of The Harsh Winter Weather
Your cars' tyres are also exposed to the full force of winter
elements. Liberal use of a high quality tyre dressing not only
keeps them looking good during the harshest weather but also provides a barrier to the elements and to ozone, that can cause rubber to deteriorate.
Use a dressing with good a UV protection system built in to ensure adequate protection. Apply to both front and back of tyres with a liberal application of dressing. Allow the dressing to soak in for good 5 to 10 minutes before wiping off the excess, during winter the tyre dressing make take longer to cure, some in some cases the 5 to 10 minutes may not be long enough. Again the Meguiars Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner #40 is and excellent choice as is Smart Dressing or Mothers Tire Shine which also have the UV protection.
Inspect your windshield wipers before the snow and rain come. Replace them if there's any sign of wear. While you're at it, check your wash fluid and add a winter screen wash making sure you put at least double the normal dose in due to the freezing temperature's and check that antifreeze. A good winter screen wash will help cut through road salt, road grime and mud.
We recommend:
Autoglym All Weather Screenwash
CW:100 with addition of antifreeze
Sonax Clearview with the addition of antifreeze
Sonax Anti Freeze with Clearview
Whilst on the subject of windscreens and freezing it is always worthwhile carrying a bottle of De-Icer in your car as well as having one in the house (in case your locks freeze as well). Our personal favourite is Autoglym De-Icer which is effective up to -50 degrees and safe on paintwork, plastics and rubber.
