4 Ways to Keep Your Car’s Paint Looking New
Your car is an investment, one that you want to keep looking new and running great for as long as possible. While proper maintenance plays a big role, how well you take care of its appearance matters, too. If you don’t properly maintain a car’s finish, you could be asking for trouble down the road. Use the following simple tips for keeping your car’s paint looking new all year round.
1. Protect it from the Elements
Your car spends the majority of its life exposed to the elements. Rain, ice, snow and even the sun can all take their toll over the years. While there is not much you can do to protect your car’s paint while driving, there are some things you can do while it is parked.
One of the best ways to protect your car from the elements is to park it in a garage or carport. If you don’t have access to one of these, try to find a shady spot away from any trees. Doing so will not only help protect your paint, it also helps keep the interior cool on those hot summer days! And if there are not any shady spots around, consider investing in a car cover and using it on a regular basis.
2. Regular Washing
Just like you perform regular maintenance to ensure your car runs its best, regular washing can help protect your car’s finish. Dust, dirt, bugs and road grim all accumulate on a car’s surface daily, and can damage the paint. Making sure you wash your car regularly will go a long way toward’s keeping the paint looking shiny and new. Just make sure you use the correct products such as sponges and cleansers that are rated for use on cars. Avoid using common household soaps such as dish washing liquid as these can actually break down the clear coat and leave watermarks.
3. Wax and Polish Once a Month
Once a month, after washing, make sure you follow up with a wax and polish. Doing this on a monthly basis will help protect the paint from the elements. Just remember to polish before you wax because polish will not stick to a newly waxed surface.
4. Rinse Often
Dust, pollen, snow, sap, mud, bugs, exhaust fumes – all of these are harmful to your paint if they are left for long periods of time. A quick and simple rinse can help remove the majority of these, and will help keep your paint job looking shiny and new.
By following a few simple steps, you can keep your car’s paint looking new for years to come! And if you decide that it is time for a new or new-to-you car, the experts at Bodwell Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge can help you find the vehicle that is perfect for you!