Safe Snow and Ice Removal

With our recent winter snowfalls, we thought it would be useful to go over the best snow and ice removal tips to avoid damage to your vehicle. While it may seem simple, using the wrong technique or tools can have expensive consequences to your vehicle's finish.

As you can see in the image above, using a specialty snow removal brush like the one from Garant, we can avoid installing coarse swirls and scratches into the paint. Traditional snow brushes with bristles will quickly damage any paint job, regardless of what the manufacturer claims as "scratch free". A modern foam brush as pictured here is less abrasive and helps remove snow faster and easier, and is better for your paint. We still recommend using very light force, as some damage may still occur if dirt or debris are present on the paint.

These marks are from poor washing technique and snow brush bristles. As you can see, the damage is severe.

Scraping ice off your windshield and glass is something no one likes to do. But proper tools and techniques can help you achieve better results in less time. For starters, choose an ice scraper that is made of plastic, not metal. Metal can scratch glass easier than plastic. We also recommend using an ice scraper that is long enough to reach all glass on your vehicle. If you have a truck for instance, utilizing one with a longer handle for further reach will make the job faster. Make sure you keep it flat, and only use enough pressure to shave off the ice. We don't want gouges in our expensive windshields or side glass!

A common practice when snow or ice is on the horizon is to raise the wiper arms so the blades don't stick to the glass. This is a good tip for preventing freezing of the blade, and also wiper motor damage. But we recommend not doing this for a very important reason. During high winds, wiper arms can be blown down hard enough for the metal arm to strike the windshield if the blade itself has pivoted on the attachment piece. This, combined with the already cold glass, can leave a chip or crack that means a trip to the auto glass shop. Instead, place a small plastic bag over the wiper blade and leave it on the glass. This prevents freezing and keeps the glass free from damage in winds. Remote starting or warming up the vehicle beforehand will also defrost the glass and make wiper function better. And lastly, leave your wipers OFF after each drive. The number one cause of wiper motor failure is starting the car with the wipers left on, and the linkages have frozen, or there is too much snow or ice to move them. Better to be safe than sorry!

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