Summer car care in Ontario.

Winter is the obvious enemy, but summer is hard on a car in a quieter way.

• UV and heat fade and dry out unprotected paint, oxidize plastic trim and make dashboards crack and fade.
• Hot paint bakes on whatever lands on it. Bird droppings, bugs and sap go from a wipe-off to an etch in days.
• Sprinklers and rain leave mineral spots that get cooked into the clear coat.
• Pollen and dust coat everything in spring and early summer.
• Cabin heat can pass 60 degrees Celsius inside a parked car on a hot day, which is hard on leather, plastics and electronics.

Southern Ontario summers are humid as well, which means moisture in cabins, damp mats and musty vents. Spring cleanup after winter is covered in our spring detailing guide. This one is about keeping the car in shape through July and August.

Keep a protective layer on

Wax, sealant or ceramic coating gives the clear coat a sacrificial barrier against UV and contamination. Wax needs refreshing every few weeks to months, sealant lasts longer and coatings longer again. If the paint no longer beads water, the protection has worn down. Our comparison of wax, sealant and ceramic coating explains the choices.

Remove contamination quickly

• Bird droppings: soak with quick detailer or a wet microfibre for a minute, then lift. Never wipe dry.
• Bugs: same method. Soak, then lift. Highway driving along the QEW or 401 in June fills a front bumper quickly.
• Tree sap: works best with an automotive sap or tar remover. Our sap and bird dropping guide goes through it.

Wash correctly

Wash in the shade, rinse before the soap dries and dry the car right away. The full method is in our maintenance wash guide, and spots from sprinklers are covered in hard water spots on car paint.

• Use a sunshade on the windshield. It lowers the cabin temperature and protects the dashboard from UV.
• Condition leather every month or two in summer. Hot leather dries and stiffens. See the leather seat care guide.
• Protect the dash and trim with a UV protectant that leaves a matte finish. Avoid shiny, greasy dressings that glare on the windshield.
• Do not leave electronics, aerosols or plastic bottles in a hot car. Some can fail or burst.
• Watch for moisture. Wet beach towels, damp gym bags and spilled drinks sit in the heat and turn into odour. Dry mats and carpet after rain.
• Change the cabin air filter if the air conditioning smells. Allergy season is covered in detailing for allergies.

Hot-weather smells, from food, pets or spilled drinks, are stronger than in winter. Dealing with them early is much easier than after weeks of baking.

• Tires: check pressure monthly. Heat raises pressure, and under-inflated tyres wear fast and run hot. Rubber dressings with UV protection help against cracking, but avoid greasy ones that sling onto paint.
• Wheels: brake dust is no less corrosive in summer, so keep up the cleaning. See brake dust and wheel cleaning.
• Glass: bugs and haze build up. Clean inside and out. The method is in streak-free car windows.
• Wipers: sun hardens the rubber. Replace them if they chatter or smear.
• Headlights: UV is the main cause of yellowing, which you may notice more on late summer evenings. See headlight restoration, which is quoted with your vehicle.

If you travel on a road trip, a hot interior, bugs on the front end and long hours in the sun are all in play. Wash off bugs as soon as you stop.

1. Check that your paint still beads water. If not, protect it.
2. Park in shade or a garage when you can, and use a sunshade.
3. Remove bird droppings, bugs and sap the same day.
4. Wash every two weeks, in the shade, and dry the car.
5. Condition leather and protect the dash.
6. Keep the cabin dry and ventilated.
7. Check tire pressure and wipers.

If you would rather have it handled, The Full Detail starts from $176 $220, with a complete interior and exterior, sealant protection and a final walk-around, in about 3 to 5 hours. See the full detail. For a longer-lasting layer, the ceramic coating service starts from $399 $499.

We come to you in Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Hamilton and nearby, with our own water, power and lighting. If it rains, we reschedule at no charge or move to a covered spot. Request a quote through the 60-second form.