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For us Midwesterners, the end of winter can’t come quickly enough.

Finally, we are able to forget about that snow, salt, rain, mud, and shivering while waiting for our vehicles to warm up. However, there’s one downside to the arrival of spring: plant pollen. While it is a menace to anyone with allergies, pollen can also pose a threat to your vehicle!

Pollen on Vehicles – What’s the Problem?

Sure, a light dusting of pollen can be annoying-- it's tough to blow off and brushing it just seems to fill the air before it settles right back down on your paint job. Dark-colored or black vehicles in particular will show off a coating of pollen. Since its grains are microscopic, pollen is unlikely to scratch your vehicle’s paint job. So, unless you’re heavy-handed while wiping, you are unlikely to leave any visible scratches.

The problem though is the acidity in pollen, which is bad news for your vehicle’s paint, especially when combined with water. When pollen mixes with water, it can leave light, but visible etching and stains in your clear coat. Along with potential damage to your paint, pollen can also find its way into your cabin, potentially triggering allergies for both you and your passengers.

How to Remove Dried Pollen from Your Vehicle

Step 1: Pre-Rinse

• This is the most critical stage in pollen removal. Starting from top to bottom, this step will rinse away most of the pollen and other grime from the vehicle.

Step 2: Regular Wash

• After the pre-rinse, proceed with your standard car washing process. End the process with a microfiber cloth. The microfiber towel will pick up those microscopic specks of pollen and remove them from your vulnerable paint job.

Step 3: Paint Protection

• Once your vehicle is thoroughly cleaned and dried, you can then preserve the integrity of the paint with either wax or spray sealants. If your automobile isn’t already waxed, set aside some time to apply a good coat (or two) of wax prior to proceeding with this step. Once your vehicle is waxed, you can go the extra step and apply spray sealants so that your vehicle is fully protected against that pesky pollen.

Pro Tip: Clean or Replace Your Cabin Air Filter

• Out of sight, out of mind, right? Well cabin filters are often overlooked, so whether you decide to clean or just replace the filter is a very easy process; although every vehicle model is different.

In the end, whether you want to keep your vehicle looking sharp or just need to keep allergies at bay, pollen is a pest. But we have learned that dealing with it can be easy and painless if we know the steps to take. But if you would rather have someone do it for you check out our friends at Tommy’s Express! A combination of preventative methods and quick reactions to pollen build-up is key when living in the Midwest!