You want your car to look brand new all the time, but how can you avoid chips and scratches? Learn how to protect car paint for years to come in this guide.
Did you know car paint is designed to last 10-15 years?
Unfortunately, many cars don’t make it even a fraction of that time without severe paint damage. From rust to faded spots to scratches to sun damage, your vehicle can take a beating if you don’t know how to take care of it correctly.
Knowing what to do is the key to having a beautiful, shining car years after driving it off the lot. So keep reading to learn how to protect car paint.
1. Wash It Regularly
One of the most simple forms of car protection is washing your car on a regular basis. Ideally, wash once a week whenever possible and make sure it’s dried thoroughly afterward.
Even if it’s not apparent from looking at it, dirt, debris, dead insects, and bird poop might be on the surface.
These elements all cause damage to the paint in one way or another. Dirt and debris can lead to minor scratches that slowly become more noticeable over time.
When bugs die, the chemicals inside them get onto your car and can erode the paint. Bird poop contains similar chemicals and can lead to paint rusting or staining over time.
2. Get a Protective Coating
Car paint protection is one of the best things you can invest in. Keeping your vehicle in good shape takes a lot of effort, but getting a protective paint coating doesn’t take much time.
These protective films can prevent things like gravel and insects from ruining the surface of your car. But the best part is, if your car is already somewhat damaged, the film can help cover it up, so you notice it less.
You’ll have a better-looking and much better-protected car from one simple product.
3. Pay Attention to Your Parking
Where you park your car matters. You might not think about it at first, but parking in specific places dramatically increases the chance of your paint getting damaged or worse.
For example, you’ll want to be careful when parking underneath trees. You need to make sure the tree isn’t dying, so there isn’t a chance of it falling on your car. Plus, knowing what kind of tree you’re under is essential too.
If it’s a tree that drips sap, that’s the last thing you want to end up on your car. It’s tough to remove, and although it won’t damage your vehicle immediately, eventually, you’ll notice discoloration or staining throughout.
Another thing to keep in mind when you’re parking is how close the cars around you are. For example, squeezing into a spot to be closer to a store’s entrance might seem like a good idea.
But if you come out to some scratches and a ding on your car from a nearby door, you won’t think it was worth it in the end. So be mindful of how you park by considering how easy it will be for someone else to accidentally hit your car.
4. Keep It Out of the Sun
The sun’s UV rays can cause paint damage over time. So when considering how to protect your car, parking in a garage whenever possible is a wise decision.
The structure will keep the sun off your vehicle while also protecting it from bird droppings, accidental scratches, etc.
If you don’t have a garage, then try to at least park it somewhere shady.
Another viable option is using a cover to protect your car. It’ll protect it from the sun and other elements too. Knowing which car cover to get for your vehicle will help you protect it as best as possible.
5. Keep Harsh Chemicals Away
You might think it’s obvious what type of chemicals can damage your car, but there are some things that might surprise you.
For example, did you know coffee and soda can damage your paint? They both have high acidity levels and will begin the corrosion process quickly if they touch the paint.
So avoid setting any drinks on top of your vehicle because they can spill and cause a problem quite quickly.
Another thing you might find surprising is silly string. Something like this can end up on your car from your children having some harmless fun. But the silly string isn’t actually harmless at all.
It can leave a stain on contact and will become worse if it’s allowed to dry. So try to keep your car out of the way if your kids play with this toy.
Some other things you should be mindful of are:
- Brake fluid
- Gasoline
- Salt
- Tar
- Insecticides
- Sand
- Ashes
The best rule of thumb is to keep anything you don’t need by or on your car away. And when something makes its way onto the surface of your car, removing it immediately with the correct cleaning solution and a soft cloth can help prevent further damage.
Remember How to Protect Car Paint for a Beautiful Vehicle
Learning how to protect car paint is the only way to keep your car in tip-top shape over the years.
Small things like setting your coffee on your car or avoiding washing it can lead to problems. On the flip side, simple changes like protective films and keeping it out of the sun will prolong the life of the paint and keep your car looking shiny and new.
If you’d like to take the first step towards protecting your car paint, starting with a protective film is the best option. Please get in touch with Dynamic Tinting Solution to get a free estimate as soon as possible to learn more about the films we offer and how getting one for your vehicle can keep it safe.
