My car has always been garaged for the 7 years I have had it. Now we have recently purchased my wife a newer car so she gets our one car garage. My car doesn't get driven in the winter because I drive my beater explorer but now its sitting in the driveway.
Salt isn't an issue because its just in the driveway but if the snow piles up on it is that bad for the paint? I have the acura car cover for it but I never got a chance to wash it before the temps dropped into the freezing range so I don't want to put the cover on. We are expecting 6-12 inches tonight into tomorrow. So anyone think the snow will do anything bad to the paint before I can get it washed and get the cover on?

 

It's just crystallized frozen water...it won't hurt anything.

 

The issue with snow is if ice forms first, the ice can scratch the paint and usually forms first on the car before the snow falls, personally I would use the cover but that's just me

We've already got like 4 inches here

 

Must be nice having a white Christmas!

 

Yeah real nice /sarcasm

 

I agree. The snow itself (water) will not hurt it more than any rain you run into, etc. but once that snow starts sliding off the car whether it's very icy or just a bit frozen, it starts scratching the paint. The other thing is if the snow gets too heavy it can obviously push in some panels causing dents.. granted they'll probably be temporary and easily taken out, but I still wouldn't risk it.

I say put a cover on so it not only prevents snow from sliding around on the paint but also makes it easier for you to clean off the snow when/if it starts getting heavy.

 

I didn't put the cover on because the car is dirty. I will not put a cover on a dirty car, your just asking for paint problems.

Well we got just over 24 inches on saturday! Luckily it was a very fluffy snow and no ice came down or formed at all. Sunday after it stopped I cleared all but a fine layer off the car and the sun came out enough to melt and dry the remaining parts of the car. Supposed to get some ice/snow on christmas so who knows when I will get time to clean the car so I can put the cover on.

 

as long as you dont slide off chunks of snow from the hood and roof, some polishing compound and wax will make it like new

 

OMG somebody close this thread