Although for most of us a car is not a luxury but mainly an efficient and comfortable way to get from point A to point B, we all care about our vehicles’ looks.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could preserve that new-car gloss as long as possible and not have to spend a fortune on high-end maintenance?
This matter is also important once you decide to put your vehicle on the market. Your prosperous buyers will definitely “judge by the wrapping,” and therefore, your asking price will greatly depend on the condition of the car’s paint.
Here at OHS Body Shop, customers often ask us whether there is any inexpensive DIY way to preserve a vehicle’s paint and help it look new. Therefore we decided to come up with a guide or a set of tips that can help car owners take proper care of their vehicles’ paint and protect it for as long as possible.
5 Ways to Protect Your Car’s Paint
Those are pretty straightforward yet often neglected maintenance rules that won’t cost you too much and even save you a great deal of money once you have to make any pre-sale adjustments before you decide to put the car on the market.
Wash your car regularly, and don’t forget to dry it.
How often do you wash your car? Of course, the answer will be different for every car owner. The frequency of cleaning will depend on many factors, such as the type of the vehicle itself, where and how often you drive it, etc.
However, regular washes are essential to preserving your vehicle’s paint and looks, even if you drive in a city where cars hardly get exposed to mud and other contaminants. UV light, dust, dirt, and grime that settle on the car’s surface are extremely harmful to the paint.
Therefore, even if the car does not really look dirty, it is essential to wash it regularly to rinse off those damaging elements and prevent their long-term effect on the paint.
Moreover, it is also important to dry the car’s surface thoroughly after washing. Hard water and chemicals contained in car shampoos can form stains and even dissolve color if not removed right after the wash. Make sure to wipe off excess moisture using a microfiber towel or a clean cotton rag.
Polish your car with wax
Waxing is not just some kind of an aesthetic procedure that makes your car look sleek and like-new. Today you can find various types of wax on the market. Some of them are natural; others are based on synthetic components. However, all of them create an efficient protective layer that preserves the vehicle’s paint, covers it from micro damage and UV light, and even reduces the drag force.
Try paint sealant
Although waxing is a pretty efficient way to protect your car’s paint, it does not last long, and you have to re-apply the product once in a while to preserve the effect.
Paint sealant basically works the same as waxing, but it lasts much longer. In fact, depending on the frequency of washes and type of the vehicle, you may only have to re-apply once in 6 months.
However, paint sealants also have their pitfalls for some car owners as it has to be applied properly on a perfectly-prepared surface. Otherwise, the product may highlight all the paint imperfections and screeches instead of making your car look new.
Pay attention to where you park the car
Direct UV lights, rainfall. Extreme temperatures, fallen leaves, and bird droppings are the worst enemies for your vehicle’s paint. If you have a choice and opportunity, make sure to park your cat in a covered shaded place, where it won’t be affected by elements or exposed to direct sunlight.
Get a car cover
Sometimes you may have no choice but to leave your car at an open parking lot for the whole day. In this case, it is always a good idea to get a quality car cover and keep it in the baggage.
Modern covers are made out of durable materials that reflect UV light, protect your car from dust and debris as well as overheating – all the most dangerous damaging factors for your vehicle’s paint.
Need a piece of advice about your car’s maintenance, a routine checkup, or an urgent repair? Contact OHS Body Shop. Our branches are located all over Montana’s Greater Flathead Valley, in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson. Here our qualified mechanics will be ready to answer all your questions and do all sorts of checks and repairs to help you keep your vehicle safe and comfortable.