You’ve seen it happen: a car drives by, the paintwork looks dull and faded, and you instinctively cringe. Yet, unless you’re a car enthusiast (or know one), it’s not apparent what you should do to keep your car looking its best. Keeping the paintwork on your car intact is also an essential aspect of overall car maintenance, as cracked or chipped paint often leads to rust.
Thankfully, car paint protection doesn’t require expert mechanical knowledge and can even be inexpensive. Keeping the paintwork on your vehicle in top condition will ensure you get the best value when you sell or trade your vehicle. And with the number of inexpensive premium paint protection products on the market, there’s no reason why your car’s paint can’t look as good as it did the day you bought it. Here are a few tips to help you maintain the condition and improve the longevity of your car’s paintwork.
#1 Use the Right Products
Car enthusiasts will be all too aware of the horror stories of those who have attempted to wash their cars with dish soap only to strip the car paint completely. The easiest way to keep your car’s paintwork looking great is to ensure you’re using the right cleaning products. Many trusted brands on the market manufacture premium car-washing soaps and car-friendly shampoos. If you’re unsure which products will suit your car’s paintwork best, hop onto an online forum dedicated to your vehicle’s make, or ask the staff at your local retail auto parts store or mechanic.
Waxing your car after a wash will give it that shiny ‘fresh off the lot’ look. If you want to prolong your car’s freshly washed face, apply an invisible vehicle paint protection film. Not only will this preserve your vehicle’s paintwork by protecting it from bug splatter and contaminants, but it will also help protect your car from scuffing and chipping.
#2 Park in the shade
Contrary to popular belief, bird droppings are not always a sign of good luck, and this is especially true when it comes to protecting your car’s paint. Bird droppings contain uric acid, which can quickly erode paintwork, and sunlight accelerates this process by causing the chemical reaction to work even more quicker. The best way to protect your car from being a designated bird-dropping zone is to park it in the shade. Heat and sunlight not only cause paintwork to fade but can also give your car bumps and bubbles, effectively ruining the aesthetic of your vehicle while also possibly leading to rust damage. Keeping your car out of the sun will go a long way to maintaining its paint in pristine condition.
#3 Wash it Regularly
It tends to be almost a rite of passage amongst car owners, but simply due to your life’s demands and busy schedule, your car is likely to get neglected at some point. This will be even more likely if you live in a city center and regularly catch public transport, which means your car could go unused for weeks or months. Regarding car paint protection, a semi-regular wash and wax will add an extra layer of protection to your car’s paint. Carving out 30 minutes weekly to submerge your vehicle in suds at the bare minimum will ensure the paintwork won’t fade prematurely.
