can snow damage a car is paint or vinyl top?

[sidekicklxondeck]

I live in chicago and we have snow comming this week and I have no wear to store my 92 cadillac brougham but outside and was wondering will snow being on the car and vinyl top do any damage or not? I will not be driving the car when they start throwin salt on the ground I have a side car instead to use.

[new2detailing]

Re: can snow damage a car is paint or vinyl top?

Not trying to plug other products, but I would recommend Aerospace 303 to protect the vinyl in the winter and then use a Meguiars equivalent in the spring. The real danger is exposure to any element that will over time dry out and fade the vinyl.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: can snow damage a car is paint or vinyl top?

Not trying to plug other products, but I would recommend Aerospace 303 to protect the vinyl in the winter and then use a Meguiars equivalent in the spring. The real danger is exposure to any element that will over time dry out and fade the vinyl.

Pretty sure the major "plus" touted by 303 is the UV protection- which wouldn't really matter for this application.

Snow shouldn't be a huge problem- obviously having it in a garage is ideal, but putting it outside won't likely be the end-all event either.

I would just put a good coat of a vinyl protectant such as M40 on there if you have it, or an all-season dressing (not hyper dressing in this case) and then call it a day.

[SHYNEMAN123]

Re: can snow damage a car is paint or vinyl top?

With the top being 16 years young if there any hairline cracks in the vinyl moisture will find a way to wick thru and freeze causing additional problems down the road. I would try to protect and find some way to cover it.

[jfelbab]

Re: can snow damage a car is paint or vinyl top?

I'd worry more about how the snow is removed. Paint can be scratched by using snow brushes and if the car is dirty before the snow builds up just pushing it off the paint could cause the dirt on the surface of the paint to scratch. I'd try to keep the car as clean as you can given the conditions and seek out a Touchless Laser wash and get the car washed if you have no place to hand wash in this weather. I'd follow the wash with a Quik Wax or UQD to make the paint as slick as possible.

I'd take care of the vinyl with #40 Heavy Duty Vinyl cleaner and conditioner. Like the paint, I'd reapply #40 after any wash if possible.

This is a tough time of the year for a car left outdoors. Road salt and grime seem to build up daily especially as you drive on the salt and sand covered roads. Driving the freeways instantly coats your car top to bottom with road salt. Left on the vehicle this will degrade the wax or sealant as well as cause rust in any unprotected areas, especially in the door jams, rocker panels and undercarrage.

If you are thinking about using a car cover over night be sure to use one with a soft inner liner as putting it on a dirty car may cause damage. Is there a parking ramp near you? If so, perhaps you can park in the ramp when it looks like it will be dropping heavy snow and walk, bus or cab until the snow is cleared.

This is one reason I have taken to spending my winters in SW Florida. I get my car out of the Wisconsin winters.

[roushstage2]

Re: can snow damage a car is paint or vinyl top?

Two products that have worked great for some on vinyl tops are the Marine Line products.

Canvas Cleaner: http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+M7116
Canvas Protectant: http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+M7221

They are a bit pricier, but will not only clean and protect your top, but waterproof it as well.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: can snow damage a car is paint or vinyl top?

I think a good protectorant like those mentioned above will do the trick.

Just be careful how you remove the snow from your vehicle. That is were the damage occurs.

[Unwell92MB500e]

Re: can snow damage a car is paint or vinyl top?

I am fairly new to the forum but had a question. If the owner decides to "cover" the car are there any issues similar to a bra where you have to remove the cover and "dry it out" to prevent trapping moisture or do they make a "waterproof" cover that eliminates this risk? I ask cuz I am thinking bout doing the same thing to one of my vehciles.