Tips For Protecting Your Car's Paint Finish
Getting your car professionally painted is a fast way to give the vehicle a fresh, updated look. You can either use the same color as the original paint, or completely change the automobile's appearance with a different hue. Either way, the paint job will breathe new life into an older vehicle.
After spending time and money getting the car or truck repainted, it's important to protect the new finish from harsh outdoor elements, such as sun, rain, and other environmental factors. Keeping the automobile protected in a garage for a majority of the time is one way to keep the paint in good condition, but doing so isn't always possible. Your home may not even have a garage, or you may be out on the road often due to business travel.
Here are some things you can do to protect your car's paint finish on a daily basis:
1. Keep your car or truck out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Sunlight can damage a vehicle's paint job by causing oxidation and fading, especially if it is a dark color such as blue or black. Harsh sun rays can also cause the clear coating on top of the paint to crack, bubble, and peel over time, and the damage can't be reversed once it's begun.
If you have a garage or a carport, park your vehicle in or under it whenever possible. If you don't have either one, try to park under a large tree during the daytime, which will provide some respite from the sun.
2. Wash your car or truck on a weekly basis, or as often as needed. One problem with parking under a tree is that your automobile will become a target for bird droppings, which can damage paint if not removed.
Start by rinsing the vehicle off with water from a hose to loosen any debris. Mix a liquid soap specifically designed for use on cars with water in a bucket, and work the solution over the vehicle using a clean, soft cloth or mitt.
Apply extra pressure on any especially dirty spots, such as bug remains, mud, or bird excrement. Thoroughly rinse the soap off with a hose and allow the vehicle to air dry.
3. Wax the automobile at least four times a year by either doing it yourself or having it done professionally. Not only will the wax make the car or truck's paint look more vibrant and shiny, it will also protect the finish from any pollutants, such as car exhaust, as well as the sun's ultraviolet rays.
For more tips on how to keep your auto paint in great condition, talk to a professional at Space Age Auto Paint Store.