To have a paint job in the custom vehicle world really says a lot. It says that person has probably spent days doing nothing but block sanding and priming. Hundreds, if not thousands of dollars have been spent to get it just right. It symbolizes the ideal that hard work really does pay off.

A fresh paint job is a beautiful thing. But there are some things out there that wish destroy your hard earned reward. Road grime, salt, accidents….in other words: WINTER!!

But don’t worry. There are some very easy steps that you can take to ensure the shine of your ride.

First and foremost, WASH YOUR RIDE!! Especially in the winter, it is essential to wash your vehicle at least several times a month, preferably once a week. Salt, mud, and even the pollutants within rain can all eat away at the clear finish on your ride, leading to rust and corrosion. In other words, it is in your best interest to keep your pride and joy squeaky clean.

A good wax seal applied to your vehicle before the onset of winter is a great way to prevent harm to your ride’s finish. A good synthetic wax will seal in the paint providing for a non chip, scratch resistant finish. This will not only prevent water and grime from ruining paint, it also protects all those hours of precious bodywork you’ve done by preventing the formation of rust too.

Even though I’ve said this before, one of the easiest ways to protect your investment is to drive safely. With the roads being even worse due to the ice and snow, driving carefully is probably one of the best bits of advice that I can give to help ensure the safety of you and your ride.

Even though Mother Nature has given us a break this winter, we’re not through it yet. So remember: be safe, have fun, and drag hard!
Until next month, keep your heads high and your ride low.

Gauge Columnist
Justin Wynn