Your car is one of the most important investments in your life. All aspects of it require care, maintenance and protection, especially the car’s paint. Car paint is susceptible to scratches, climate, car washes and much more, which can all cause significant damage to a vehicle’s exterior. Today’s vehicles are designed to be extremely durable and build-to-last, however, that does not make them impervious to damage. By being more attentive to your vehicle and maintaining its paint job, your vehicle will look outstanding on the road for years and secure its resale value for the future.
Vehicles that have been built in the past 20 years often come equipped with factory clear-coat paint applications. Although this is a great first line of defense for paint protection, there are a number of additional ways to ensure the protection of the paint. In this article, you will learn more about how to protect and maintain your vehicle’s paint to have it look outstanding on the road and remain durable for many years to come.
Protecting Vehicle’s Paint Job
1. Regularly Wax Your Vehicle
Consistently waxing your car can protect the paint from damage and deterioration. Wax forms a barrier between the paint and climate. The sun rays during the summer can cause it to fade, become discoloured and oxidize. Just as humans need sunscreen to protect the skin, a protective wax coat on the car allows the paint to be protected against harm from sun rays. It can also protect against harsh winter weather and negative temperatures. To reap the most effective benefits, you should be having the car waxed every three months. Having your vehicle professionally waxed provides long-term, effective and durable protection for your vehicle than if you were to hand wax it.
Wax applications also leave your vehicle with a high-gloss, stunning finish that will shine in the sun. This showroom wax polishes the clear coat of the vehicle to enhance the colour of the car and its shine. When it rains, the water often collects onto the car’s paint and leaves obvious water spots, along with dirt. With wax, the water that drips onto it will roll off and leave the vehicle spot-free.
2. Wash Your Car Regularly
Washing your car on a regular basis is one of the most effective ways to protect a car’s paint job. When washing your car, you should avoid using dish detergent as a cleaning base. Dish detergent will truly harm the paint, whereas using a high-quality car wash solution applied on a foam pad applicator can complete a thorough cleaning. Afterwards, rub the solution onto the vehicle’s body and wash it after with water. You can also opt for professional hand washes to keep areas clean at all times. This will also give you the confidence and happiness knowing your car is clean and sleek.
Take your car for bi-weekly, or even weekly car washes for proper maintenance. By doing this small investment, you can ultimately save money by minimizing the chance of future damage altogether.
3. Keep Your Vehicle Wrapped
If you wrap your vehicle in a plastic film, you can easily protect it from outdoor elements. Even the highest quality paint can still be damaged by UV rays, scratches, dirt and rain. When you have your car wrapped, it can sometimes protect the paint for up to 10 years. Keeping the car wrapped maintains the paint to keep it looking fresh, shiny and new. If your vehicle was manufactured with a cheaper paint, it will likely succumb to wear and tear over time and need to be redone. However, having the car professionally wrapped can maintain a breathtaking appearance for several years. A car wrap can maintain the original paint job to keep the resale value secure. Keeping the original factory colour of the vehicle is often appealing to prospective buyers.
4. Have Scratches Filled Once You Notice Them
Take the time to inspect your vehicle weekly to look for any scratches, small or large, that you may have picked up over the week. Any scratches, even the smallest ones, can allow rust to form on the car paint. However, if you fill the scratch immediately when it is at its smallest, you can prevent rust from developing.
Minor blemishes can be buffed with a polishing solution or waxed to remove them from the car’s clear-coat paint. Apply the polishing compound onto a soft cloth and apply it in circular motions until the scratch is buffed away.
You can also purchase touch-up paint for scratches that match the colour of your vehicle to return it back to pristine condition. Clean the damaged area immediately and if it has already rusted, firstly sand it down with fine sandpaper and apply a coat of primer before you touch-up the area.
5. Remove Bird Droppings Immediately
Once bird droppings land onto your vehicle, the droppings can severely damage the paint. Bird droppings are actually highly acidic and can damage even a clear-coat of paint. When droppings happen, which they likely will in the spring and summer, ensure you remove them immediately. It is far easier to remove them when they have recently dropped. You can purchase specific wipes, which are designed to remove the excrement without affecting the car’s paint in any way. The corrosive excrement will do greater damage the longer it remains on the vehicle.
6. Install Mud Flaps
Mud flaps are a smart solution because of how they keep mud and debris from flying and getting onto the car. Mud flaps are installed into the wheel wells of the vehicle to keep dirt, water, sludge and rocks from collecting onto the rear bumper and back of the wheel. They guard the vehicle against debris and protect the car’s frame from any corrosion. If the paint on your fender becomes penetrated, this increases the potential of rust forming. Winter weather can also play a significant role in causing the paint to chip as well as potential corrosion of the vehicle.
Mud flaps also do not affect the mileage or aerodynamics of the vehicle, and they are extremely inexpensive.
7. Keep Your Car Keys Contained
It’s often second nature to allow key chains to dangle from the door. However, this habit can cause severe damage to Your Vehicle’s Paint. Metal keys will scratch the paint and stain it easily. Take the time to train yourself to remove your keys from the vehicle and keep them away from the paint.
Avoid placing any bags or backpacks with metal hardware inside on your car’s roof as it can easily scratch the paint if the hardware slips out.
8. Carefully Remove Snow From Your Vehicle
When snow or ice piles on your vehicle, it’s your natural instinct to remove it immediately to get on the road promptly. However, using just any ice or snow scraper on the car can damage the paint. Avoid using nylon bristle brushes for the car, because they can leave fine scratches on the paint. Opt for foam brooms or brushes to remove snow and pull it towards you in a straight line, not in circles.
9. Practice Safe Parking
If you’ve ever noticed certain vehicles parked further away at the end of a parking lot, you may wonder why the vehicle owners left it there. The purpose is to avoid contact with other vehicles to minimize any scratches from other drivers when they open their car doors or pull into a spot right beside the vehicle. It also reduces the chances of runaway shopping carts bumping into the car and children playing near it. Parking lots are one of the main areas where accidents happen, which is why you should take the time to park your vehicle in a safe area elsewhere.
10. Use Car Covers
A car cover protects the vehicle’s paint from bleaching and fading from the sun. If your car has a high-quality, premium paint, then it’s important to protect it from the damage the sun can cause. Portable car covers are available to protect the car not only from the sun, but from bird droppings and tree sap as well, which are both corrosive to car paint. Being portable, these car covers are easy to transport and you can take them with you anywhere and cover the car anytime you park.
If you do not have a garage to park your car in, you should invest in a portable car cover. They are essentially tents for the vehicle and can protect it from the sun and snow. When removing the car cover during the winter when covered with snow, it can drag across on the paint and damage it. Ensure you remove with care.
Why Your Vehicle’s Paint Is So Important
When a scratch on the paint happens, it may not seem like an immediate concern to repair it. However, your car’s paint is important and so is maintaining it. It goes beyond being aesthetically pleasing. Here’s why car paint is so important:
- Prevents Structural Issues: A car’s paint job is also designed to prevent structural problems on the car. Car bodies are primarily designed with steel, which can weaken after a period of time. A well-sealed paint coat will keep the car body durable and strong to keep you safe on the road.
- Prevents Corrosion: When paint becomes damaged, it allows rust and debris to enter underneath the paint coat and cause rust. Once the rust spreads, the body can corrode and impact the structural integrity of your car. Repairing scratches and bumps on the paint professional can preserve your vehicle’s longevity.
- Improves The Resale Value: When it comes time to sell your vehicle, it’s imperative that it is in optimal condition. A well-cared for, visually appealing car will boost its resale value. When there are dents, scratches or dings found on it, buyers have more incentive to negotiate and drive the resale value down significantly.
- Better For Your Health And The Environment: Having a clear paint coat on your vehicle can often be better for the environment and your health. Certain body shops can use water-based paints over solvent-based paints on the car to reduce the emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds, which can harm you and the environment.
Paint Protection Is Low Maintenance: Paint protection is a low-maintenance, effective and affordable way of maintaining the car’s paint job. There is less to clean and less damage to occur. Vehicles that are on the road often are more likely to pick up bits of debris that can chip the paint. Paint protection is a good investment to shield the paint from potential damage. Certain paint protection film, especially urethane film, is resistant to corrosive elements and becomes a first line of defense against mineral deposits, acid rain, bird droppings and tree sap.
This can guard the paint job against fading from sunlight and UV rays and won’t oxidize from sun exposure.
- Protects Matte Finish: For vehicles with a matte finish, it’s important to maintain the matte design. If it gets scratched, you cannot buff it out as it will leave a shiny spot. Having it wrapped in paint protection film will keep the matte finish in check and prevent you having to fix any damage.
SRS Tinting Solutions offer luxury vehicle protection and services at an affordable price. Their experienced, licensed and insured automotive tinting experts complete installation and services for every make and model on the market. Paint protection film gives vehicles the protection they need to preserve the vehicle’s longevity and aesthetic for many years to come. Whether you’re interested in window tinting, paint protection solutions, vinyl wraps or ceramic coating, SRS Tinting Solutions is the most-trusted automotive tinting provider in Vaughan.
