JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As spring rolls in, so does the annual wave of pollen that coats everything in sight — including your car. 

While many car owners might see pollen as a simple seasonal nuisance, it can actually cause long-term damage to your vehicle’s exterior and interior if not properly managed. 

We spoke with Ken Huening, CEO and founder of CoverSeal, about the impact of pollen and the best ways to protect your car.

Pollen plays a vital role in plant reproduction, but its microscopic particles can be harmful to your car’s paint and interior. 

“Pollen is acidic,” says Huening. “When it accumulates on your car and gets wet from morning dew or rain, it forms an acidic layer that can oxidize your paint and etch into your chrome.” 

Left unchecked, this can lead to permanent damage that diminishes your car’s aesthetic and resale value.

But the exterior isn’t the only area of concern. Pollen infiltrates vehicles in multiple ways, including through air intake systems. 

“Your engine sucks in air to function, and with it comes pollen,” Huening explains. “If it clogs your air filter, it can reduce performance and efficiency. Worse yet, the pollen infiltrates your car’s cabin filters, which means you’re constantly breathing it in.”

For allergy sufferers, this is particularly problematic. Even long after peak pollen season, a clogged filter can continue to circulate allergens inside your car, triggering sneezing, itchy eyes, and other allergic reactions.

How to protect your car from pollen buildup

Preventing pollen from damaging your car requires a proactive approach. Here are Huening’s top recommendations:

1. Wash your car regularly – “Rinse off pollen every four to five days to prevent it from bonding with your paint.” He warns that pollen can act like cement when mixed with water, making it even harder to remove if left unchecked.

2. Apply a protective wax coating – “At the beginning of spring, apply a high-quality wax or hybrid ceramic coating. This makes it easier to rinse off pollen and protects your paint from oxidation.”

3. Treat your windows – “Rain-X and similar products create a protective barrier on your windows, making pollen easier to wipe away. This works on both interior and exterior glass.”

4. Vacuum your car’s interior – “A thorough vacuum at the start of the season removes built-up dust and pollen from your carpets and seats.”

5. Change your filters – “Cabin air filters are often neglected because they’re out of sight, out of mind. Replace them at the start of the season and check them again after peak pollen periods. Engine air filters should also be inspected for pollen buildup.”

While protecting your car from pollen, Huening advises owners to take additional springtime precautions:

• Check tire pressure – Warmer temperatures cause air to expand, which can lead to overinflated tires and uneven wear.

• Inspect your spare tire – A neglected spare is useless in an emergency. Ensure it’s properly inflated before summer road trips.

• Avoid parking under trees – “Tree sap is even worse than pollen, and birds nesting in trees can add another layer of mess,” Huening said.

• Guard against rodents – “As temperatures rise, rodents seek shelter in cars, particularly in air boxes and engine compartments,” Huening said. “They chew on wiring, causing thousands of dollars in damage.”

After personally experiencing severe rodent damage to his vehicles, Huening developed car covers designed to fully seal to the ground. 

“It’s the only cover that keeps out rodents, pollen, and dust while also being wind-resistant up to 40 miles per hour,” he said. 

In short, by regularly washing and waxing your vehicle, replacing filters, and being mindful of where you park, you can minimize the damage caused by pollen. 

As Huening puts it, “A little maintenance now can save you a lot of money and hassle down the road.”