Is Your Car Winter-Ready? 5 Signs It’s Time for a Paint Touch-Up Before the Cold Hits

Winter arrives quickly in Southwest Missouri, and with it come road salt, freezing rain, and temperature swings that stress your vehicle’s exterior. At Lackey Body Works, we’ve helped drivers protect their cars for over 55 years. As an I-CAR Gold Certified shop, we know that a small paint issue today can become a major repair after one harsh season.

The good news? A timely car paint touch-up can stop damage in its tracks. Below are five clear signs your vehicle needs attention before winter hits. Catching these early keeps your car looking great and prevents rust, corrosion, and costly fixes down the road.

Sign 1: Visible Chips and Scratches – Time for a Car Paint Touch-Up

Even small chips from road debris or light scratches from parking lots leave your paint vulnerable. Once winter salt and moisture get into those breaks, rust starts forming beneath the surface.

Why it matters in winter:

• Salt accelerates corrosion in exposed metal

• Freezing water expands tiny cracks

• Untreated chips spread quickly in cold, wet conditions

Our paint work and pinstriping team uses factory-matched colors and high-quality clear coats to seal chips seamlessly. A quick touch-up now saves you from repainting entire panels later.

Sign 2: Peeling or Cloudy Clear Coat

Your car’s clear coat is its first line of defense. When it starts to peel, flake, or turn cloudy, the base color underneath loses protection.

Common causes:  

• Years of UV exposure

• Poor previous paint jobs

• Chemical damage from road treatments

In winter, moisture trapped under peeling clear coat freezes and lifts more paint. We’ve seen minor peeling turn into full-panel damage after just one season. A professional refinish restores protection and shine—perfect timing before the snow flies.

Sign 3: Faded or Uneven Color

Does your red look pink in spots? Is the hood noticeably lighter than the doors? Fading means the paint’s protective layer is breaking down.

Winter risk: Faded surfaces absorb more salt and grime, speeding up deterioration. Our color-matching technology ensures a flawless blend, whether you need a full panel or spot repair. A fresh coat not only looks better—it adds real protection against the elements.

Sign 4: Rust Bubbles or Orange Spots

Rust never sleeps, and winter is its favorite season. Look for:

• Small bubbles under the paint (early rust)

• Orange or brown spots near edges and wheel wells

• Flaking paint around scratches

These are urgent signals. Salt turns minor rust into structural damage fast. Our process removes rust, treats the metal with primer, and applies durable paint to stop it for good.

Sign 5: Stubborn Water Spots or Etching

Hard water, sprinkler mist, and road spray leave mineral deposits that etch into clear coat over time. In winter, salt residue creates similar haze that’s harder to remove.

Prevention tip: A protective sealant after your touch-up keeps deposits from bonding. Combine paint repair with our detailing service for maximum winter defense.

Why Act Before Winter?

Road salt is the #1 paint killer in our region. One untreated chip can lead to:

• $500+ in rust repair by spring

• Lower resale value

• Safety risks if corrosion reaches frame components

Lackey Body Works makes protection simple:

• Free estimates

• Direct insurance billing

• Lifetime warranty on paint work

• Fast turnaround so you’re ready for the first frost

• 
  

Ready to Protect Your Car?

Don’t wait for salt trucks to hit the roads. Bring your vehicle to Lackey Body Works for a no-obligation inspection. Text, call, or book online. Let our certified team give your car the car paint touch-up it needs to shine—and stay safe—all winter long.