How to keep sand out of your vehicle

As much as we love spending time at the beach, no one enjoys dealing with a car full of sand afterward. Even when you think you’ve thoroughly shaken out your beach towel or dusted off your feet, sand still finds a way to sneak into your car. Besides being annoying and uncomfortable, sand can actually cause damage to your vehicle if not addressed properly.

How Does Sand Damage Your Vehicle?

Sand isn’t just a harmless annoyance, it can cause serious issues for your car’s exterior and internal systems:

• Damage to Your Paint Job: The combination of sun, heat, and sand can be especially harsh on your car’s paint. Sand can scratch and dull the finish, and it can also work its way into any small chips or cracks, making them worse and potentially causing rust over time.

  
  

• Weakened Windshield: Sand can find its way into even the tiniest cracks in your windshield, embedding itself and weakening the glass further, which could increase the risk of the crack spreading or the windshield shattering under pressure.

  
  

• Clogged Air Filters: Sand that enters your car’s ventilation system can clog your air filters. This can reduce airflow to your engine, making it work harder and increasing the risk of overheating and long-term engine damage.

  
  

How to Protect Your Car from Sand

To keep your car in top shape and minimize the impact of sand, it’s important to take preventative measures before and after your trip to the beach:

Before Your Beach Trip:

• Wax Your Car: Applying a coat of wax creates a protective layer over your vehicle’s paint, making it more difficult for sand to scratch or embed itself into the finish.

• Sealant: Applying a sealant over the wax offers an extra layer of protection, keeping your car’s exterior more resistant to sand, salt, and sun damage.

Interior Protection Tips:

• All-Weather Floor Mats: These mats are specifically designed to trap sand and debris thanks to their durable rubber construction and raised edges. They make it easy to remove sand by simply lifting them out and shaking them off.

• Mesh or Straw Bags: Using mesh or straw beach bags helps shake sand out before it reaches your car. The holes in the bags allow sand to escape rather than collect inside.

• Portable Car Vacuum: Investing in a small, portable vacuum cleaner makes it easy to quickly remove sand from your seats, carpets, and floor mats before it has a chance to get ground in.

• Baby Powder: A handy trick, rub baby powder on your skin to help remove sand from your body before getting in the car. This makes it easier to brush off that stubborn sand instead of rinsing off at the beach.

• Seat Covers: Installing seat covers can protect your seats from getting sandy. They’re easy to remove and wash, keeping your interior cleaner overall.

Post-Beach Care:

• Quick Rinse: After your beach trip, rinse your car thoroughly, paying close attention to the wheel wells, undercarriage, and any areas where sand can collect.

• Vacuum and Wipe Down: After you shake out your mats, give your interior a good vacuuming and wipe down any surfaces to remove residual sand and salt.

By taking these proactive steps, you can enjoy those sunny beach days without worrying about damaging your car. Save yourself the trouble of that pesky sand and stop by at Wild Water Car Wash for a shine that will keep your vehicle protected!