Beach Trip Checklist
Explore the benefits of cleaning your car before and after every beach trip to keep you focused on the fun!
A weekend at the beach is a wonderful way to unwind and create lasting memories, but the road trip itself is often overlooked as a key ingredient – especially the car that carries you there. Before you load up, Autobell® expert and Director of Operations, David Reep, has some helpful tips for protecting your car’s value by prioritizing a thorough cleaning before and after you go.
Here’s a checklist to guide you so you can kick-off your adventure with peace-of-mind and focus on the fun ahead:
Ready to roll? A few things to do before you go:
Protect your car’s appearance and preserve its longevity. According to Reep, salt air, laden with corrosive salt particles, poses a threat to your car's exterior. When combined with moisture, these particles can accelerate the rusting process, leading to unsightly - and potentially costly - damage. By giving your vehicle a professional wash before your beach excursion, you create a clean barrier between the salt air and your car's paintwork, reducing the risk of rust.
“A clear view is also key,” says Reep. “Prior to your beach trip, be sure that your windows, mirrors, and lights are sparkling clean. This helps ensure safer driving for you and your passengers.”
Returning home is hard sometimes! Your car clean-up doesn’t have to be.
Since you took the time to clean your car inside and out before the beach, post-beach cleanup should be much more manageable. Let’s face it, sand can seep into every crevice of your car -- the carpet, the seams of your upholstery, air vents, and other hard-to-reach areas – so let the pros tackle this.
“Over time, accumulated sand can cause wear and tear on your interior, leading to premature aging and potentially affecting the functionality of certain components,” says Reep. “All interior car wash packages include our professional vacuum service, but customers can add-on the Master AutoVac® service for a deeper level of vacuuming.”
In addition, don’t forget about damp swimwear, beach towels, and toys. Wet materials can leave behind moisture that leads to mildew growth and unpleasant odors in your car.
Lastly, says Reep, the moisture present in sand can speed up the corrosive effects of salt, leading to potential rust if left unchecked. By washing your car’s exterior, and adding an underbody wash, this helps ensure your car is sand-free until your next seaside getaway!