You swim, surf, and paddleboard in the ocean so there’s no way it can really hurt harm your car right? I mean, your car is tougher than your body. Unfortunately that is not the case. Living the salt life can prove harmful for your car, if you don’t protect it properly.
The first thing we’ll look at is pretty minor. Many people either knowingly or unknowingly enter the ocean with their car keys. Generally this seems like a harmless act but over time, saltwater can be corrosive and eventually rust the key. This really isn’t a huge problem but needing to replace your key is always just a nuisance. Find a dry way to store your key so that it doesn’t come in contact with saltwater.
The exterior of a car can prove more problematic. Saltwater is corrosive and does have the potential to corrode an exterior of a car if left untended to. It can eventually weaken and destroy the frame and body.
Driving the coast in Southern California may eventually lead to a slight build up of saltwater on your car. Maybe another car splashed yours with some standing saltwater or the lower end of your vehicle went through some. As soon as you notice the water spots, you should hose your car down. If you tend to these splatters quick enough, there should be no residual salt left on your exterior. If you still notice spots, bring it into a car detailer who can thoroughly clean the car. As with most maintenance issues, the sooner the better.
Finally, we’ll move onto the interior of the car. Saltwater damage will usually come in the form of passengers. Whether you left the beach in a rush or you simply have passengers that won’t towel off, you can expect saltwater to affect the interior of your car, particularly the seats. Overtime this saltwater can damage the upholstery of the car. The saltwater will soak into the seats, eventually drying out and leaving only the salt behind. This can cause staining and damage to the seats. The best way to prevent these issues is to purchase waterproof seat covers. These covers will protect your seats from the saltwater and its corrosive capabilities.
For more information about protecting the seats of you car, visit our website or call us at 888-246-5653.