19 Nov How to maintain your car paint
We all love the appearance of a shiny, pristine new car, but over time the paintwork tends to lose its lustre. However, there are steps you can take to protect your car’s finish. Doing so will give you more pride in your car’s appearance and also ensure it holds its value better when it comes time to sell.
Here are some of the most important things you can do to maintain your car paint.
- Wash your car regularly
Your car bodywork picks up a surprising amount of dirt and debris while you’re out on the road. These substances can cause staining and corrosion if left, so it is important to wash your car at least once a month to protect its paintwork.
Washing the car is a job that many of us tend to neglect, particularly during the winter months. However, this is the time when you should actually be washing your car more often, as the grit used on the roads is full of salt, which is highly corrosive. So, if you can’t brave the cold with the pressure washer, take a drive to the car wash. Your paintwork will thank you for it!
- Use the right products
The products you use to wash your car can also make a huge difference when it comes to preserving the finish of the paint. Sponges are not ideal, as they have large pores where dirt and grit can build up, causing the sponge to scratch the paintwork as you wash the car. A microfibre cloth is a much better option, as it removes dirt without trapping it.
You should also never use washing-up liquid or other household cleaning products to wash your car. These are full of harsh chemicals which can damage the paint. Instead, choose a specialist car shampoo which is pH balanced so it will be gentle on your paintwork.
- Wax your car at least twice a year
Waxing your car is important for protecting the paintwork, as it forms a barrier which repels the dirt and debris thrown up from the road.
For best results, you should wax your car at least every six months. Use a high-quality carnauba wax, as this is non-abrasive. This wax should only be applied to the paintwork as it can stain other parts of the car body.
Wax one panel at a time in circular motions, using an applicator pad. Once the wax is dry, buff with a clean and dry microfibre cloth to achieve a dazzling shine.
- Park your car in the garage
Many of us now use the garage as extra storage space, but it was originally designed to house your car, and with good reason. A cool, dark, dry environment is the ideal place to park your car if you want to preserve its immaculate appearance.
Your car’s paintwork will suffer from environmental damage if it is constantly parked outdoors. Blowing debris can cause scratches, and even the rain can contain corrosive substances. UV rays from the sun are particularly bad for your car’s paint, as it can fade if it is regularly exposed to sunlight, causing a washed-out or patchy appearance.
The garage is the best place for your car, no matter what the time of year. If you don’t have a garage, it is worth investing in a good quality car cover to keep it protected from the elements.
- Don’t attempt to touch up the paint yourself
If your car has a few minor scratches on the bodywork, it can be tempting to get some matching paint and try to touch up the paintwork yourself. This is never a good idea.
New cars are professionally spray painted, which is what gives them their pristine finish. If you attempt to go over a scratch with a brush, this will ruin the smooth appearance. It is also highly unlikely to be an exact colour match, even if you get your paint from a dealership, as your original paintwork has probably faded since the car was manufactured.
The only way to bring your car back to a flawless finish if it has been scratched or dented is to have the damaged panel spray painted by an experienced professional. This is where Spray Bay can help. Please contact us if you would like to find out more about getting your car looking as good as new.
No Comments