Pittsburgh Weather and Why a Detail Is Essential for Protection and Care
“If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” This observation is attributed to Samuel L. Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain).
Not to be argumentative, Mr. Clemens, but most Pittsburghers will tell you that New England does not have a monopoly on how rapidly the weather can change! It can be snowing in the morning, with bright sunshine and 50° in the afternoon.
Speaking of the weather, Pittsburgh has four distinct seasons and, over the course of the year, the temperature varies from 23°F. to 83°F. Average annual precipitation is 38 inches with snowfall averaging 41 inches.
So, you might ask, what does all this have to do with the protection and care of my vehicle and the need for professional detailing?
Truth is, the weather and its aftermath can have a dramatic impact on your car, both internally and externally.
Although the damage may not always be visible, the weather is consistently looking for new ways to harm your car’s exterior.
While sunshine makes us happy, it does not have the same outcome on vehicles. Did you know that the sun can damage your car? Sun exposure compromises your vehicle’s paint job and can cause it to bubble, crack, chip or peel.
Rain can harm your car in more ways than one. Water causes cars to rust, which means rain can accelerate rusting. But, more importantly, anything water-based that comes from the sky can be classified as acid rain, according to the EPA. This includes rain, dew or snow. Most, or all, of these weather components settle on vehicles and can trigger major problems for a vehicle’s exterior. The acidic compound combined with other elements, such as sunlight, can be strong enough to eat away at the vehicle’s paint.
Winter can be even harder on your car. Cold, harsh weather, and even dryness that comes with your vehicle parked in a garage, can all damage the exterior paint.
Much like rain, snow, too, fuels the rusting process. But the biggest and most common problem winter brings is the ever-present threat of salt on the roads. As we know, salt is used to clear roads of ice and snow, but, cars and salt do not mix! Salt that remains on a car surface for any length of time can damage its finish and promote rust.
Importantly, don’t forget about your vehicle’s interior. Summer is the busiest time of year. Your car is put through its paces, with vacation trips, getting the kids to practices, and much more. Your car’s interior will have landed with more than its fair share of food spills, ketchup stains, etc.
On the other hand, everyone is familiar with what your vehicle’s interior looks like a day or two after a snowfall!
Winter can also be troublesome to leather and cloth upholstery. Cold air removes moisture from leather. And while you can treat it with special conditioner, leather is poorly receptive to conditioner if the temperature is below 50 degrees F. If you decide to condition your leather interiors in cold weather, the leather will appear supple but will not have absorbed the necessary moisture.
If you have cloth upholstery, it can easily get water stained from even the smallest amount of snow on your coat or gloves.
Now that you know the dangers of the weather, it is time to protect your vehicle from these conditions with a professional detail.
Perhaps the single most important aspect of auto detailing is your vehicle’s need for protection from the elements just described. With auto detailing, you can rest assured that your vehicle is being cleaned with microfiber cloths and gentle cleansers and is being treated by solvents and solutions that help your paint job last through the years.
Keep in mind that your paint protects the metal underneath. If allowed to degrade, rust and corrosion can wreak havoc on your car with potentially devastating results.
Many detailers will also offer engine detailing as an option. Your engine will be steamed, degreased and usually coated with a nice finishing polish to make it look show-room fresh.
When it comes to interior detailing, nothing beats an auto detailing service. Detailing experts use a combination of steam cleaners, vacuums and brushes to give your car’s interior a deep clean that you might not be able to do on your own. They know how to get to those hard to reach places, to clean every nook and cranny to get your vehicle looking its best. They are also masters when it comes to auto carpet cleaning to remove stubborn stains and odors.
So, you like to run your car through a public car wash? Remember, these car washes use harsh chemicals and a one-size-fits-all approach to clean most any vehicle that passes through. Over time, trim, rubber, plastic and the paint on your vehicle can show the effects of the damage that regular car washings can cause.
Unlike a car wash, car detailing involves far more attention to detail, hence the name detailing.
Need more information or a quote on a professional detail? Just contact the experts at DoubleTake Auto!
