Car care after a hailstorm or summer storm

Gauteng hail season runs roughly October to February, and even a storm without hail can dump muddy, dust-laden rain, leaves and twigs on a car. Hail damage is an insurance matter first — so record it before you clean. After that, the job is to get the grime off before it bakes on, and make sure water has not found its way inside.

1. 1

   Record any hail damage first

   Before washing, photograph every panel in soft light, at an angle, plus the windscreen and lights. Contact your insurer before any repair. Dents are a panel-beater or paintless dent repair job, not a cleaning one.

2. 2

   Clear leaves and drains

   Remove leaves from the scuttle panel below the windscreen, the sunroof surround and door bottoms. Blocked drains are a common cause of water getting into the cabin.

3. 3

   Wash off storm grime

   Storm rain often carries dust, so the car dries patchy and spotted. Snow foam and a two-bucket wash take it off safely; do not wipe it dry.

4. 4

   Check the cabin for water

   Press the carpets and check the boot well and spare-wheel area. If anything is damp, dry it out now with doors open and fans running — damp carpet left closed up is how mould starts.

   Bay tip · If the cabin already smells musty, see our guide to removing mould from a car interior.

5. 5

   Re-protect before the next one

   Ceramic Shield helps rain and dirt sheet off, so the next storm leaves less behind. Under cover is still the only real protection against hail.