STEP-BY-STEP: How to Winter Proof your Tesla

1. How to keep car clean in winter using ceramic coating

2. How to prevent frozen windows and doors

3. How to prevent ice and snow build up on wheel wells

>> Skip to below for step-by-step

EXPLAINED

Ceramic COATING vs Regular Wax

Most wax coating on the market will need to reapplied often as it acts a protectant but comes off easily within a 3-4 weeks. They often marketed as a 100% carnauba wax, but is not true as it is often blended with other oils to make it more easily applied.

Ceramic coating is different from wax as it will generate a curing property once applied to a surface. It will bond with the paint and become extremely resistant to water (ice, snow), soap, dirt and debris. Reapplication is usually 3-4 months.

In general, Ceramic coating provides higher durability than standard wax from UV, heat, soap, and the environment. It bonds with the paint. Wax does not but sits on top of the paint and comes off.

How to prevent frozen windows and door handles?

Tesla’s manual doesn’t recommend anything specific on keeping windows and doors from freezing except WD-40. However, WD-40 is not a lubricant and will attract dust and debris which will again jamb up your mechanics. Instead, I recommend using a siliconelubricant to spray into your window jambs and door jambs, such as WD-40 Silicone Specialist Spray or 3-IN-1 Professional Silicone Spray.

SILICONE SPRAY VS WD-40? WHAT’s THE DIFFERENCE?

WD-40 original is NOT recommended. It is kerosene/petro-chemical based product that has some oils to qualify as a mild lubricant but does not last. WD-40 is a Water-Dispersant and will prevent water from adhering to the surface. Do not apply this to your door jambs and windows. It will attract dust and debris and dry out the existing lubricant.

WD-40 Silicone Specialist Spray is a different product line from the original and is a silicone-based lubricant. Silicone is a clear lubricant that protects metal and non-metal surfaces such as rubber, plastic and vinyl. It will not damage the car, it does not damage the paint, and will last up to 6 months from application. It will not wash away from rain or a car wash. It will dry quickly and not stain.

WHAT IS FLUID FILM?

Fluid film is a non-toxic/non-hazardous corrosion protectant and lubricant that is lanolin-based (wool wax). It will protect metals from corrosion. This can be spray in the inner wheel wells plastics and on to wheel rims for added winter ice protection.

WHAT YOU NEED?

How to keep car clean in winter using ceramic wax

• Amour All Car Wash & Wax Concentrate

• Car Wash Soap Sprayer & Foam Gun

• Garden Hose

• Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax or NanoBond Ceramic Coating (stronger protection)

• Cordless Leaf Blower

How to prevent frozen windows and doors

• WD-40 Silicone Specialist Spray or 3-IN-1 Professional Silicone Spray

• Meguiar’s Microfiber cloth or any

How to prevent ice and snow build up on wheel wells

• CarPro Iron X Remover Spray

• Fluid Film Spray. Alternative: WD-40 Silicone Specialist Spray or 3-IN-1 Professional Silicone Spray

• Rust-o-leum Comfort Grip Spray Can Handle

• Mud Flaps

INSTRUCTIONS

Gently clean the exterior of your car. Make sure the car is relatively clean before starting. Applying to a clean surface will allow the product to spread more evenly and last longer.

1. Attach your garden hose to the Soap Sprayer & Foam Gun.

2. Mix Amour All Car Wash Concentrate and water to line on the bottle.

3. Work top down. Spray down all sides of the car. Wipe dry with a microfiber cloth. Alternatively, if you have a air dryer or leaf blower, you can dry the car quickly.

Apply Ceramic Wax

1. Work top down. Spray Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax and gently wipe with microfiber cloth as you go. Do not let it dry out before you wipe.

Apply Silicone Spray to Windows.

1. Use the straw attachment on the spray bottle and spray a small amount along the window jambs - where the glass meets the rubber. Open and close the door to get the lubricant to coat inside.

2. Wipe with microfiber cloth and allow it to air dry.

3. Repeat for all 4 doors.

Apply Silicone Spray to Door Handle.

1. Push open the door handle and hold it in open position. If you look inside where the handle pivots, you want to add silicone there as well.

2. Use the straw attachment on the spray bottle and spray into the door jamb hinge.

3. Open and close the door. Wipe excess with microfiber cloth and allow it to air dry.

4. Repeat for all 4 door jambs.

Cleaning Wheel Well & Prevent Wheel Wells from Snow / Ice Build Up

1. Spray wheel wells with CarPro Iron X Remover Spray. This will decontaminant and remove all deposits on your wheel rims and prevent rust. I would recommend using a mask and gloves as this spray does have a strong smell and should not be done inside your garage, but outside.

2. Wait 5-10 minutes. You will see iron deposits encapsulate and appear purple.

3. Rinse with water and air dry. You can also use air dryer or leaf blower to speed up the process.

4. Attach the Rust-o-leum Comfort Grip Spray Can Handle to the Fluid Film Spray can for easy application.

5. Apply Fluid Film Spray to the inside wheel well plastic trim and lower parts of the underbody of the car.

6. Wipe excess with microfiber cloth and allow it to air dry.

7. To prevent build up, gently and routinely knock off any excess snow build up when you arrive home. Reapply fluid film every 2-3 weeks as needed.

Install Mud Flaps Splash Guards

1. Purchase Mud Flaps. Turn wheels away to open larger gap to see existing holes.

2. Use a flathead screwdriver to remove 2 push-in screws.

3. Align mud flaps to holes. Place new push-in screws.

4. Repeat steps for all 4 wheels.