If you are fortunate enough to live in Lihue, HI, you are fortunate enough to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Moderate temperatures year-round and plenty of sunshine make Hawaii a desirable place in which to live. For the most part, there isn’t much to complain about, but ocean air can be hard on your vehicle. Kauai Auto Repair, LLC, suggests you watch out for these three things.
1. Rusty Exterior
Rust is the result of an interaction between iron, oxygen and water. Rust grows quickly on vehicles near the ocean because sea air is moister than inland air. You don’t have to drive your vehicle into the ocean to have moisture on the exterior. As you know, when you walk outside on a beautiful Lihue day, you can feel a soft moisture envelop you. This same moisture envelops your car, truck or SUV, and since the moisture is part of the air, you’ve got the iron/oxygen/water combination you need for rust. Rust can damage your paint and eat away at the undercarriage of your vehicle.
2. Salty Sea Air Residue
Another issue with the salty sea air is that it leaves a salty residue on your vehicle that can damage still and operating parts. Saltwater, or in this case salt dew, is highly corrosive. Car parts that are susceptible to damage from salt dew include the vehicle’s nuts and bolts and the brake calipers. This dew settles on the vehicle and blankets it with a light film of salt. One way to prevent salt dew damage is to wash and wax your vehicle regularly. This will prevent paint damage. To avoid corroded bolts, calipers and nuts, have your vehicle inspected regularly and those parts replaced once they show signs of corrosion.
3. Paint Damage
Problems one and two both damage your paint, so the third way ocean air damages your car is it eats away or oxidizes the exterior paint. As discussed above, washing and waxing your vehicle regularly can prevent rust and salt dew damage because the wash removes the saltwater and the wax protects the paint. Other ways to avoid paint damage is to park your vehicle in the garage at all times. If you do not have garage access, purchase a quality vehicle cover and keep your automobile covered when not in operation. Finally, don’t drive in the sand or water. This may look cool on commercials but it’s not.
Kauai Auto Repair, LLC, is located in Lihue, HI, and we’d be happy to inspect your vehicle for ocean air damage. Call us today to set up an appointment.
