After a recent trip to the Fort Myers area in Florida, I can’t stop dreaming of living there one day. I love the smell of sea salt, and the cool refreshing spray of the ways when we are at the beaches. What I don’t love so much is how the sea spray and sand seems to really stick to everything including the car!

Cars are expensive purchases and need to be around for the long haul, or at least until we have them paid off right? Since I am so in love with the area and because my parents also have lived in a local Florida area by the water, I know that you must maintain your car.

Here are a few tips for car maintenance from sea spray, sand and sun to help you out in preserving your vehicles from harsh elements that offer such lovely and tropical surroundings! I guess there’s a trade off for fun and sun.

Tips For Car Maintenance from Sea Spray, Sand and Sun

The Fort Myers area is the perfect family area. From delicious chicken options at Patinella’s Chicken to Mini Golf at Castle Golf, it’s all about fun in the sun and on the beach. A short trek away from the exact Fort Myers area is the lovely and always welcoming Sanibel Island, so bring on the fun!

No matter the vehicle you drive to the beach or around the beach, it is sure to get touched by sand in someway. If you are cruising in a car show, chances are you are in a Camaro. For those that head to the beach a lot, my guess is you are in a large Silverado so you can easily hoist your boogie boards and surf boards.

Tip 1 Roll In To Sparkle

Get to know your local Chevy Dealer in Fort Myers they will become your best friend.  Truly living tropical is great, until your car needs maintenance. There is a toll that the saltwater mists takes on the undercarriage. Get your car inspected regularly and make sure brake pads are frequently checked. Salt water deteriorates them!

Have the dealership look at your hood and trunk as erosion starts there most frequently. They are the painting pros as well, so if you need fixed, let them handle it!

Tip 2 Wash, Dry, Wax, Repeat 

Since those lazy, hazy days of summer are just about year round in Fort Myers, rejoice that you have so many car washes around you! Use them. Every time you park on sand, near sand or are close to the beach (which is always in Ft. Myers), rinse your car.

Don’t stop at a simple wash and rinse, make sure to wax your baby up! Wax is the barrier topside from the horrible elements that are also beautiful. What a double-edge sword! What is good is also bad (at least to your car as it can cause rust and erosion).

 Tip 3 Fight Dashboard Sun Damage

I highly recommend a sun windshield visor for your car. The sun is harsh, it beats through the windows to the interior of the car and the dashboard. How can you defend the weathering effect on the interior of your car? Trust me, while it won’t alleviate the heat, a sun visor will help in keeping the harsh rays off of your dash!

Also, use a dashboard cleaner to protect from dirt, harsh sun, sand.  It is fast and easy to do, and inexpensive, but it will increase the life of your interior.

Tip 4 Restore It 

You might already have sun damage on the interior, and you can work with that too. Use a plastic, trim and rubber restorer that basically rubs on and off with a little elbow grease. The difference will be remarkable in minutes and it offers a layer of protection from the sun. Think of this as sunscreen for your car!

The Floors 

So, you get out of the car, and head to the beach. When you get back to the car, your feet are carrying sand. The interior of your car is about to suffer, unless, you have car mats of some sort. My preference are these WeatherTech mats, you get what you pay for. Basically wall to wall coverage.

In return, your interior stays clean, the carpets are not pocketed with sand and cleanup is really easy!

Enjoy your time in and around the beach when you live in Fort Myers, just make sure to protect your car from the Sea Mist, the sand and the sun. ~ Dana XO. Do you have other tips? I’d love to add them to the article.

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