LA's First Rain of the Season: Why It's So Hard on Your Car

Every fall, Los Angeles gets its first real rain after a long dry season. And every fall, people are surprised that their car looks worse after the storm, not better — covered in dusty spots and a gritty film.

That first rain isn't clean water. Here's why, and what to do about it.

During the dry months, dust, pollen, soot, and air pollution settle on everything. Roads build up a film of oil, rubber, and brake dust. When the first rain arrives:

• •Raindrops collect airborne dust and pollutants on the way down, then dry into gritty spots on your paint and glass
• •Roads get slick as oil and grime lift off the asphalt, and passing cars spray that dirty film up onto yours
• •Gutters and trees drop the debris they've collected all summer

That's why the car looks spotted and filmy once the sun comes back out.

The best time to protect your paint is before the wet season starts.

• •Wax, sealant, or ceramic coating makes rain bead up and roll off, carrying dirt with it instead of drying in place
• •Treat the windshield so water sheets off — a real safety benefit when visibility drops
• •Check your wiper blades. After a long dry, hot summer, rubber blades are often cracked and will streak or chatter the first time you use them

A Silver Detail adds 3-month wax protection, a Gold Detail adds a 6-month sealant, and ceramic coating protects for years.

Don't wait for the next rain to clean it off. Once the storm passes:

1. 1.Rinse thoroughly to remove the gritty film before it bakes on in the sun
2. 2.Hand wash with a pH-neutral shampoo to lift the dirt rain left behind
3. 3.Clean the wheels and lower panels, where road spray hits hardest
4. 4.Dry completely so you don't trade rain spots for water spots
5. 5.Clean the glass inside and out — winter sun glare on a filmy windshield is a real visibility hazard

Wet shoes bring mud and moisture inside. Damp carpet and mats can start to smell musty within days, especially if the car stays closed up. Take wet floor mats out to dry, and vacuum once the carpet is dry. If a musty smell has already set in, our guide to fixing a musty car smell explains what's happening.

Protected paint makes every rainy-season wash faster and safer. If you want the car protected before the storms — and cleaned after them without lifting a finger — book a detail or call (310) 692-4495.