The key facts

  • A scraper and a stiff brush leave micro-scratches on the paint coating; dark bodies are the most sensitive
  • Yevpryakov recommends a leaf blower for the body, headlights, and delicate surfaces
  • He considers cordless models the best option, since they do not depend on a cable

Why mechanical snow removal is dangerous

Popular ways of clearing snow off a car in November can cause micro-damage that over time turns into serious problems with the paintwork. This was reported by Sergey Yevpryakov, head of the training department at the Russian office of Greenworks, in an interview with Sputnik radio. According to him, cleaning with a scraper or a stiff brush leaves scuff marks on the paint coating, while abrasive snow wears away the top decorative layer. Bodies in dark shades are especially sensitive to such micro-scratches.

What the expert suggests

For cleaning the body and delicate surfaces — headlights, wooden decking, terraces coated with oil or varnish — Yevpryakov recommends garden leaf blowers: a powerful stream of air blows away loose, freshly fallen snow without touching the area being treated, which makes it possible to completely avoid damage. “A blower works equally effectively on a car body, on garden paths, and on porch steps. There is no need to bend down, change attachments, or exert physical effort — it is enough to point the nozzle at the area being treated,” the specialist emphasized. In his opinion, it is better to use cordless models: they do not depend on the length of a power cable, are quickly ready to work even in severe cold, and have a low level of vibration.

Context of winter preparation

Earlier, as Gazeta.Ru notes, car expert and member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs Igor Morzharetto said, that before the first frosts drivers should replace summer tires with winter ones, fill up with non-freezing washer fluid, and check the condition of the battery. The outlet also previously published an article about the best cars for the Russian winter. The practical point of Yevpryakov's recommendation is that it concerns not only the car's appearance: scuff marks from abrasive snow, according to him, over time develop into more serious problems with the coating, so the cleaning method also affects the condition of the body as a whole.