Getting a new paint job can be very expensive and also reduces the value of your car. A factory paint job is always appreciated. With certain tips you can make sure that the paint of your car remains as good as new even after years of ownership, while you take pride in owning the car everyone admires.
Here are 8 tips to protect the paint of your car –
1. Use A Car Cover
It is the most simplistic thing you can begin with to protect the paint of your car. If you park in an open area or have to park on the street, it is better to do so with the car cover. You car and its paint will be protected from alien elements set out to destroy your car’s finish. even if you are parking a garage but are not using the car for a long period, it is best to put the car cover on, so that dust does not settle on the car, which adversely affect the car’s paint.
2. Wash It Thoroughly
It is important that you wash your car thoroughly on a weekly basis. This includes using a car shampoo and washing the tyres, exteriors, interiors, windshield and window glass area. If there are bird droppings on the car, make sure to clean them immediately with water. Don’t use household detergents to wash your car. They are acidic in nature and will do more harm to the paint. Refer to our guide on how to wash your car like a professional.
3. Do Not Skip Drying
A major portion that people choose to avoid is drying the car using the proper technique. A lot of people assume that the car will dry naturally, but that’s exactly where you damage the paint most. Not drying the car will leave water spots that will render your hard work a waste. Use a microfiber towel or preferably a weave drying towel to absorb the water and dry the car.
4. Clean With A Clay Bar
Using a clay bar, you get rid of the unseen contaminants that are stuck in the paint of your car. Clay bars are most effective in removing the smallest of the dust particles that may not be visible to the naked eye. Usage of a clay bar on the paint of the car needs to be followed by a wax polish to sustain the cleanliness.
5. Wax Your Car
Remember that a good wax will easily last 8 – 10 months on a car that will protect the paint of the car from external elements like scratches, dust, contaminants, and UV rays. To be on a safer side, apply a coat of wax every six months on your car to keep it clean and smooth. Applying wax also offers other benefits like marginal increase in fuel efficiency because of less drag. Applying is the tried and tested formula and will certainly not go wrong. Refer to our guide on how to apply wax on your car.
6. Paint Protection Film
A new introduction in protecting your paint; a paint protection film is a clear film that is applied to the body of your car. Much similar to the ones applies on glass areas, the film will protect the paint of your car from any external elements like heat, UV rays, dust, grime, tar, rocks flying from the road and so on. Albeit a little expensive, the film will last for all most 5 years, which is the lifetime of most cars. You can also have the film applied only on certain areas like the front and rear bumpers.
7. Clear Coat Protector
Most new cars come with a clear coat over the paint layer to keep the car shiny and protected from external elements. The clear coat offers a more glossy finish to the car, and will keep harmful elements like UV rays and dust at bay to protect the paint of the car. Any minor issues can also be buffed out, if the car has a clear coat. However, clear coats are sensitive to scratches and are prone to oxidation. It is still not a substitute for wax and needs to have a wax job to protect the shine of the car.
8. Vinyl Wraps
Not only do they offer a new colour for your car in different shades and finish at half the cost of a paint job, they also protect the original paint of the car. Vinyl wraps work as a shield for the original paint and won’t let it go dull. Vinyl wraps are also thick enough to sustain minor scratches and injuries on the car. Removing one is equally easy and the glue residue does not damage the car at all. So even after a year, your new paint job will still look new on the car.
In the end, the choice is yours on how to protect the paint of your car. While tips like using a car cover and washing are mandatory, the rest can be used as per your convenience and choice. Do let us know what works best for you in the comments box below.
