Nearly 80 percent of Australians live within 50 kilometers of the coastline, and many of us wouldn’t have it any other way. We love living near the water. Yet, our proximity to the beach does have one drawback: Coastal environments are hard on our cars.

The salty air and abundant sunshine can wreak havoc on our car’s finishes, inside and out. Fortunately, there’s a simple way to protect your car without moving inland – regular car detailing.

Why Are Regular Car Details Necessary If You Live by the Ocean?

We love the coastal climate, but our vehicles don’t. Over time, the salty breezes can cause paint to deteriorate, and eat into the finish of chrome, metals and other exposed surfaces. Additionally, an abundance of direct sunshine can cause problems with paint, the dashboard and other interior surfaces. A few common problems include:

Paint Loss: Along Australia’s coasts, the sun shines almost constantly. This can affect your vehicle in a few ways. First, the sun can speed up the deterioration of the paint’s clear coat, a transparent layer that protects the paint. Over time, the loss of the clear coat can cause discoloration, sun spotting, and/or a dull finish. Additionally, the sun heats the surface of the paint, which expands the pores of the paint. Consequently, the paint absorbs more salty moisture, which leads to the second most common problem.

Paint Corrosion: Ocean breezes carry salt inland, and this salty air can damage the vehicle’s painted surfaces.  Salt naturally speeds up the rate of oxidation, which can damage the car’s paint, and it’s a leading cause of corrosion. In fact, the closer you live to the ocean, the more likely rust is to form. In particular, the upper surfaces of the vehicle, including the hood, roof and boot are most likely to be affected by salty air.

Internal Corrosion:  Exposed metals like the vehicle’s brake calipers and undercarriage are also affected by salty air. Rust tends to form in out-of-sight places, which can lead to costly repairs if left untreated.

What Types of Maintenance Prevent Damage?

Regular car detailing is absolutely necessary for coastal climates. Washes remove salt and sand from the paint before it can cause corrosion and other blemishes. Yet, car washes are just one step. You should also consider:

Waxes and Sealants: Regularly waxing or sealing the vehicle’s exterior provides a layer of protection against the elements. Salt is less likely to penetrate paint that’s been properly waxed or sealed.

Vinyl and Chrome Protection: Inside, surfaces that receive direct sunlight should be sealed and protected. This will prevent sun damage. Additionally, chrome should be sealed to protect against corrosion.

Engine and Tyre Cleaning: To prevent internal corrosion, it’s important that the vehicle’s undercarriage, tyres and other exposed metal surfaces are really well tended to.

If you live in a coastal climate, a professional and regular car detailing is the answer to long-term protection. Self-service and touchless car washes, for example, tend to miss hard-to-reach surfaces. Professional auto detailers can help to ensure that all surfaces are properly washed and protected.

Car Care Australia offers mobile car detailing services to drivers throughout Australia. With 1000s of providers throughout Australia, you can count on Car Care Australia for fast, reliable and expert service. Schedule a home car detail in your area today.