Here’s Your Pollen Season Car Care Do’s and Don’ts!
Spring has arrived – and although the start of warmer weather means flowers and blooming trees, it also means an overload of pollen is in the air. From constant sneezing and sniffling to that nasty yellow film on your car, pollen season can be a headache. We have everything you need to know about proper car care during the spring.
What is pollen season and when does it start/end?
Pollen is a powdery substance produced by trees, flowers, grasses, and weeds to fertilize plants of the same species. Different plants can produce pollen at different times of the year. Typically, tree pollen pops up in early to mid-March. While grass pollen, weed pollen, and ragweed pollen can start later into the spring and last into the late summer months or early fall.
What does this mean for my car?
Although the spring means leaving behind the cold weather, it brings a whole new problem into sight: problematic pollen. By itself, the pollen doesn’t pose much of a problem. However, left untreated, it’s acidity can actually corrode the body of your car and cause damage to the paint. There are several precautions you can take during pollen season to ensure your car stays clean, protected, and maintains its value.
DO wash your car more often
Wash your car every other day. It’s recommended to get pollen off your car as soon as possible, not just when you start to see a yellow build-up on the outside. The longer you leave pollen on your car, the more damage it can do and the harder it will be to get completely off.
DON’T forget about your interior
Pollen can also make its way into your interior. By using our vacuums or detailing air, you can make sure your seats, dashboard and other areas are pollen free. You’ll also want to check your cabin air filter. Build-up of large amounts of pollen can cause a clog, meaning your car will be circulating allergy-causing air.
DO add extra layers of protection
Wax and ceramic coating are two components of Caliber’s top wash that add extra protection for your exterior. Our Caliber ceramic coating creates a protective layer on top of a car’s paint, so it can help prevent harmful elements, including pollen, from damaging your paint job. For additional safeguarding, make sure to run your car through the wash before pollen season to prepare.
DON’T let rain wash off the pollen
After a spring shower, you may notice that the yellow film on your car has vanished! Unfortunately, that isn’t enough. Just because it rains, and your car looks clean, doesn’t mean the pollen is completely gone. Pollen’s acidity is commonly activated by water, which means it can actually cause more damage to let rain wash your car. To get rid of all the pollen particles eating away at your paint, make sure to wash your car thoroughly with soap.
If you have any questions about how Caliber’s top wash protects your car during pollen season, stop by your nearest location today and speak with one of our employees – they’re always happy to help!