If you’re heading up to the snow your car’s paint is going to go through a lot. We’re talking salt, slush, grime, and even your well-meaning snow brush, yep, it can all do a number on your finish.

At Silveira Auto Body, we’ve been fixing up winter-damaged cars for decades. We’re a family-run body shop in Santa Rosa that’s seen everything from rusted-out wheel wells to clear coat peeling off after one too many icy road trips.

So let’s talk about the sneaky ways winter can mess with your paint, and what you can do about it.

What Winter Does to Your Car’s Paint

Snow might look pretty but when temperatures hit freezing it puts your car through the wringer. Road salt, frost, slush; your car’s exterior will go through a lot. Here are some of the main winter hazards you should keep an eye out for, especially if you’re heading up to Tahoe or other snowy destinations this season!

1. Road Salt = Paint’s Worst Enemy

Road salt is often thrown down to help melt ice on the road and keep drivers safe. However, when salt sticks to your car and is left to sit, it can corrode metal and paint!

2. Ice and Snow Trap Moisture

All that snow sitting on your hood? It’s keeping the surface wet, which weakens your clear coat and can cause bubbling or paint peeling down the line.

3. Slush = Grime Soup

Winter slush is a mix of dirt, oil, chemicals, and who-knows-what. It splashes up onto your doors and undercarriage, where it loves to sit and slowly eat away at your finish.

4. Scrapers & Brushes Can Scratch

Even if you’re just trying to clear off the windshield, using the wrong tool (or too much pressure) can leave tiny scratches all over your car.

So, How Do You Protect Your Paint in Winter?

Let’s break it down. These are our tried-and-true tips to keep your car looking clean and rust-free through winter.

1. Keep It Clean

Washing your car in winter sounds like a pain, but it’s one of the best things you can do. Salt and grime love to hide, and the longer they sit, the more damage they do.

Do this:

• Wash every 1–2 weeks during winter
• Focus on the undercarriage, wheel wells, and lower doors
• Use a touchless or soft-cloth wash, or better yet, hand wash

2. Wax or Seal It Before the First Storm

Think of wax or ceramic sealant like a winter coat for your car. It helps block moisture and salt from getting through the paint’s protective layers.

Pro tip: Get this done in fall or early winter. It’ll last through most of the season if applied properly.

3. Avoid Snowbanks Like the Plague

They may look harmless, but snowbanks are packed with salt, sand, gravel, and debris. Parking near them means more stuff melting onto your car, and possibly scratching it.

4. Use the Right Tools for Snow Removal

We get it, you’re in a hurry. But using a metal scraper or a stiff brush can leave marks all over your car.

Instead, use:

• A foam or soft-bristle snow brush
• Gentle motions, no scraping like you’re sanding wood
• Lukewarm (not hot!) water if needed to melt ice

5. Add Mud Flaps or Fender Liners

Not just for trucks anymore, mud flaps help block slush and grit from hitting your paint at 60 mph. If your car didn’t come with them, they’re easy to add and make a big difference.

6. Touch Up Paint Chips ASAP

Even a tiny chip can turn into a rust spot if salt gets in there. Got some spots showing? Bring it in for a quick touch-up before winter makes it worse.

We do small paint jobs all the time here at our body shop in Santa Rosa, and they’re way cheaper than fixing rust later.

7. Don’t Wait Until Spring for a Paint Check

If you’re not sure how your paint’s holding up, bring it by for a quick look. We’ll check for early signs of rust, bubbling, or wear, and recommend steps to fix it before it gets worse.

Best part? We offer free estimates and honest advice. No pressure.

Need Help? We’re Just Down the Road

At Silveira Auto Body, we’ve been helping folks in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, and all over Sonoma County keep their cars looking great for over 50 years.

So if the snow’s got your paint looking rough (or you just want to keep it protected) swing by or give us a call. We’re your friendly neighborhood body shop in Santa Rosa, and we’re here to help.

Give us a call today at 707-433-2424 or contact us online to schedule service.