A car can be unique for many reasons, but for a passerby, it’s always the color of the body that catches their eye. You see a car cruising by, and you don’t necessarily think of the horsepower or the top speed –– you think that this paint looks cool. This is why protecting your car’s paint job is always important. Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or the car’s original look, these pro tips will help you protect your car’s appearance.
Wash
The best tips for protecting a car’s paint job are the most obvious, starting with washing the car thoroughly. You need to wash your car once a week, at least. Most importantly, though, if there are bird droppings on your car, they need to be cleaned instantly with water, as bird droppings have corrosive and damaging effects on some surfaces. Avoid using household detergents to wash the car since their high acidity will damage the paint.
Wrap
One of the better ways to protect the car’s original paint is to wrap it with vinyl wrap, which can differ in color or not. This will help protect the paint job and give the car any kind of finish you want, from glossy to matte or clear. As explained on Wrap Works, you need to find a company with experience in wrapping cars and preferably with the appropriate certifications too, ensuring that the wrap you’ll get will be of high quality. You should also look for wrapping professionals that provide a warranty for the product you’ll get.
Polish
Polishing the car with wax is a great practice to keep the body shiny and clean-looking. More importantly, though, the coat of wax provides a protective layer against bird droppings, UV rays, and other external factors that may otherwise damage your car’s paint. There are several options when it comes to the kind of wax you can use, so try to go with a formula that can give your car a shiny finish while providing some form of protection.
Cover
Covering the car with a sleeve is a simple and efficient approach to keep the paint clean and safe from scratches and pollutants. This is particularly important if you park your car on the street or an open area, though you should still use it even if you park in a garage to avoid having bug droppings damage your paint. The cover will also protect the car from dust particles that can affect the paint over time.
Dry
Most people think that the car will dry naturally after they’ve washed it, which is a rookie mistake. If you leave the car wet, the water will form spots that will eventually become embedded within the paint job. You need to always dry the car and it should be done right using microfiber towels that will absorb the moisture and ensure a spotless finish. Don’t scrub too hard to avoid damaging the paint.
If you want to keep your paint protected, you just need to be mindful. Simple tricks like parking in the shade rather than the sun serve to protect your paint job and keep the car in tip-top condition. The key to keeping the paint in good shape is consistency –– Think of it as self-care for your car.
