
Protect Your Car From Salt Damage
Thanks to salt, you can have a safer driving experience on roads during the cold winter months. Salt decreases the freezing point of water and prevents it from freezing as quickly and as often—which means you won’t be sliding around on black ice or slippery snow.
Unfortunately, road salt causes unwanted damage to vehicles—unless you take some precautionary measures to protect your car. Keep reading to learn about how salt can damage a car’s exterior and how to prevent that from happening.

Tips for Keeping Your Car Clean During the Winter
Although vehicle maintenance goes beyond aesthetics, we can all agree driving a car that glistens inside and out is an instant mood booster. If you want your vehicle to last, it’s important to know how to clean your car when the weather changes. It’s essential to keep it in pristine condition year-round, especially when temperatures drop. Clean cars in the winter require extra care and preventative techniques that aren’t required as often during the summer season.
Below, we’ll discuss how to clean your car during the winter and provide clean car winter tips.
How To Keep Your Car Clean in Winter
- Use your hands to rid excess ice and snow from your vehicle. Plastic scrapers are okay to eliminate snow from windows but could damage your paint.
- Use warm water. If you can’t access warm water, warm up your car with a quick drive around the block. Then use a non-abrasive, professional-grade Wash Mitt. Lastly, completely dry your vehicle with a premium drying tool like The Absorber®.
- Avoid washing in freezing temperatures. When the weather drops below 32°F water can potentially freeze doors and windows shut.
Tips for a Cleaner Car in Winter
If you want to know how to clean your car in the winter, you should also know the following clean car winter tips.
Use Rubber Floor Mats
Swap out your current cloth floor mats for rubber ones. Rubber floor mats are water-resistant and will keep your interior flooring dry.
Wipe Your Windows
Rid your windows of buildup and grime by periodically wiping them with a multipurpose towel like The Absorber® Mini.
Wax Periodically
Use a high polymer sealant or top-shelf wax to keep dust, grime, and dirt to a minimum. Waxing your vehicle every three to four months will provide an extra coat of protection for your automobile. If you're curious how often you should wax your car you read more about that here.
Pad the Floors
Place a mold and mildew-resistant towel under your rubber floor mats. A porous towel, like The Absorber®, will contain excess dirt, water, and slush that may cause components of your vehicle to rust. After a week, machine wash and reuse.
Use Mud Flaps
Mudflaps prevent road debris from damaging your vehicle and deflect loose gravel from chipping the windshield of surrounding cars.
Park Indoors
Clean cars in winter require constant protection. When you can, protect your vehicle from the elements and park under a carport or in a garage. Not only will indoor parking protect your paint job and other components from weather erosion, but it will also keep your car running smoothly.
How To Keep Your Car From Rusting From The Snow
In most cases, rust begins during cold seasons. Rusty components can damage your vehicle and weaken the frame of your car. Let’s review the best ways to prevent rust.
- Monitor your wheel wells, bumper, and tires. If you notice paint wearing between in your wheel wells, clean and dry the area. Then, apply an anti-rust spray.
- Inspect underneath your car. In addition to the hood, trunk, and drain plugs, rust from chemicals or salty roads may also develop on your vehicle’s frame.
- Wash your car. Rust can form and spread quickly when excess dirt, sand, and salt accumulate. If it’s been a while since your car’s last bath, give it a quick cleanse.
Grab a Wash Mitt here!

Car Buffing Tips
When it comes to buffing your car, there are a few things to consider: polisher, speed, and technique. If you’re not sure what to do or how or how to do it, don’t worry. We’re here to help you keep your car shining like new.
Check out our car detailing and buffing recommendations below and learn how to use a car buffer like a pro.
How to Pick the Right Car Polisher
With so many polishers on the market, it can be tough to decide which will help your car the best. The next time you’re considering a purchase, keep these things in mind.
Quality
We all want a good product, but very few car owners look up reviews. Before spending your money, see what others think. After all, they’ve already tested the product.
Range of Speed
On average, car buffers allow between 600 and 3000 RPMs. Make sure the product you select is similar to that. For a good even finish, start at a slower speed and increase your rate as needed.
Throw
The circumference your polisher covers is referred to as the throw. The larger your throw, the easier and faster you’ll buff. Auto owners with larger vehicles typically select larger car buffers to help them access places that are harder to reach.
Weight
Consider the weight of the buffer you want. Hold the polisher in your hands. Does it feel comfortable? Is it too heavy? This component is often a determining factor, especially if this is your first one.
Price
You get what you pay for. Cheap polishers will break easily or malfunction after a few uses. Try not to let prices sway you one way or the other. Quality will likely come with a price but this is an investment you won’t regret making.
Proper Buffing and Polishing Technique
Step One: Wash your car and leave it wet. Automotive buffing should never be done on a dry vehicle.
Step Two: Place a clean and the slightly damp polishing pad on the buffing wheel.
Step Three: Apply a small amount of compound on a section of your vehicle and polish at a low-medium speed.
Step Four: Use constant pressure and keep the polisher parallel to avoid swirly markings.
Tip: Keep the area wet and use moderate amounts of polish for each area.
Step Five: Work back and forth over the small area until the solution heats up. When this happens the paint will warm and scratches will disappear.
Tip: As needed, remove your buffing pad and rinse with a hose to prevent a buildup of solution.
Save yourself time and elbow grease by using Clean Tool’s Buffing Ball to access those tricky spots. Uniquely designed for polishing chrome, aluminum, and painted surfaces, this tool is a car, motorcycle, or boat enthusiast’s dream! Made from soft viscose fibers, it’s the durable yet gentle buffing tool you need to rid your vehicle’s wheels of grime and dirt. Best of all, the buffing ball conveniently attaches to battery, air, and electric drills with ease.
How To Clean and Care For Car Buffers
Prevent residue from making your buffing pad hard by washing it after every use. Outside, or in a working sink soak your buffing pads with water and an all-purpose cleaner for up to five minutes. After the allotted time, rinse thoroughly with clean water and let air dry over a premium drying tool like The Absorber®.Grab a Buffing Ball here!

How Often Should I Wax My Car?
Wax on, wax off. We all know the method, but do you know what waxing a car does? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Though it adds a nice glisten to the exterior of your car, it does more than just make things shine. Auto wax is a popular substance auto enthusiasts use to protect their car’s exterior surface.
Let’s discuss the ins and outs of car wax further.
What Does Car Wax Do?
Like we mentioned above, the overall purpose of car wax is to add synthetic or natural protection to the coat of your car. With the right application process, wax creates a durable layer of protection that is resistant to sun damage, harmful chemicals, and other contaminants.
Do New Cars Need to Be Waxed?
If you’re not sure how to wax a car, or how long car wax lasts, review the top three most asked questions about waxing your car.
Commonly Asked Questions:Does wax protect car paint?
Car wax protects your vehicle from shallow scratches. It doesn’t however, keep your car from being damaged by sharp objects.
Do new cars need to be waxed?Proactive maintenance is the best way to extend your car’s paint job. While not needed, new cars can benefit from extra protection.
How do you wax a car?Get the showroom finish you’ve always wanted in three easy steps:
Step One: Apply a small amount of wax to a foam polish pad.
Step Two: Buff in a continuous, circular motion.
Step Three: Use The Absorber® to gently, and completely remove wax.
Sounds great, right? Well, before you go gung-ho over car wax, take a closer look at the pros and cons of auto waxing.
How Long Does Car Wax Last?
When it comes to cars, looks always count. If you ask yourself: how long does car wax last? Or do new cars need to be waxed? We’ve got you covered. We’ll answer these questions and list the good and bad aspects of using wax.
Advantages of Applying Car Wax
When done correctly, waxing your vehicle can extend the life of your paint and prevent minor damage. Car wax also does the following:
- Adds shine
- Enhances clear coat
- Deters pollutants
- Masks small imperfections
- Prevents sun damage
- Adds lasting protection
- Resists scratches
- Improves car value
- Streamlines carwashing
-
Resists water
Disadvantages of Applying Car Wax
If you value time and money, the disadvantages of applying wax just might outweigh the benefits.
- Needs reapplication
- Can be expensive
- Time-consuming
-
May cause stains
Different Types of Car Wax
Below, we’ll tackle the three most common types of wax and how to protect car paint between waxes.
Liquid WaxIf you’re not a car enthusiast but want to give your ride a lasting and durable shine, liquid wax might be for you. Most commonly found in the solutions at a car wash, liquid wax is a great choice for car owners who want long-term effects with minimal effort. If applying by hand, use a safe PVA cloth like The Absorber®. It’ll help you apply the liquid solution evenly.
Longevity: Lasts up to three months
Cons of liquid wax:
- Dries fast
- Can be abrasive
- Semi-difficult application
Experienced car gurus and car showmen swear up and down by paste wax. While it’s not the easiest to apply, when done right, you’ve got a killer shine. Car collectors and professionals love paste wax and trust its reliability.
Longevity: Lasts up to three weeks
Cons of paste wax:
- Can be unforgiving
- Expensive
- Time-consuming application
Short on time? Spray wax might be the perfect protectant for you. This type of wax is best for car owners who are always on the go. It’s also used as a spot cleaner for car gurus who are in between waxes. If you opt for spray wax, be sure to keep a PVA cloth like The Absorber® on hand.
Longevity: Lasts up to seven days
Cons of spray wax:
- Lower quality
- Not as protective
How Often Should You Wax Car?
Now, let’s get to the question you were waiting for. How often should you wax?
The answer to this question depends on various factors like:
- How old is your car?
- Do you keep your car in an open environment or keep it in a protected environment like a garage?
- How often do you wax your Car?
If you own a brand-new car, then you should wax it two times a year. If your car is more than five years old, then it is recommended to quarterly wax your car.
If you don’t have time for a full wax, use The Glosser® car wipes to keep your car shining like new. It’s a portable and effective solution for auto owners with little time to spare. Best of all, The Glosser® is safe to use on all car surfaces.
Keep your vehicle in optimum condition with The Absorber® cloth and The Glosser® car wipes.
How To Find a Trustworthy Auto Mechanic
Few things in life are as tough as finding a good mechanic. Listed below are our top five tips to help you find a long-term mechanic you can trust.
5 Must-Have Items To Protect Your Car From Kids
We’ve all heard the saying, “take care of your car, and it’ll take care of you.” Regular maintenance and services performed by a dealer or reputable mechanic are essential in preserving your vehicle. However, this isn’t the only way to protect your car. Passengers, more specifically children, can ruin a well-maintained car in minutes. Luckily, we have a few essential items to help protect your car from messy children.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAR CLEANING TOWELS
Before we think about what kind of towel you need to use to wash and dry your car, there are a few things you should know. An important one being that whatever car cleaning towel you use for one part of the car, shouldn’t be used in any other area.
The Ultimate RV Cleaning Tips
If your RV exterior needs its shine back, follow our steps and product recommendations for a squeaky clean surface.
How to Get Rid of Pet Smells in Your Car
Love driving with your goofy pet riding shotgun, but hate suffering through the odor or accidents they leave behind? Follow these foolproof steps on how to get any intense cat or dog smell out of your car for good.
What's the difference between rubbing and polishing compound?
Car compounds can renew your car’s surface by fixing paint damage. They contain tiny abrasive particles that smooth out the coating. That being said, different types of car compounds, such as rubbing and polishing, do have some variations in application or usage.
What’s the Best Car Color to Hide Scratches and Dirt?
The best way to maintain a clean car exterior is giving it a wash every other week or so. This will keep the dirt from accumulating so you won’t have to scrub at it and potentially damage the paint job. For the same reason, it’s better to get it hand-washed then having it go through abrasive automatic washing lots.