Taking preemptive care measures can help keep your car’s paint job looking brand new long after you leave the dealership. Here are a few tips to ensure your car’s paint job stays fresh!
To maximize the life span of your car’s paint job, you need to make sure that you are washing and drying your car in the right way. First, consider washing your car once a week or once a month to limit the amount of surface buildup caused by dirt, salt, and other materials.
Use the right materials to wash your car. For example, dish soap contains harsh chemicals that could slowly deteriorate any wax or polish, leaving the layer of paint unprotected. Make sure you get a soap specifically used for vehicles. In addition, if you use an old rag or sponge that contains dirt or other residues, you could be scrubbing that dirt into your paint job. Use a tool that is recommended for cars, like a microfiber towel. This is an absorbent material with a smooth surface so you won’t cause paint chipping over a period of time.
You need to dry your car correctly. Although it might seem logical to let your car air-dry after you wash it, it is not the most practical approach. When you let your car air dry, you are allowing water droplets that still contain dirt to rest on your car’s surface. This causes the dirt and grime to actually dry back onto the surface, etching itself in the paint. Instead, use a microfiber towel immediately after the wash to get your vehicle as dry as possible.
It is important to remove residue from your car’s surface as often as you can. This includes things like bird droppings, mud, glue from car stickers, and more. The reason this is important is that sometimes these items can contain acids or other harmful chemicals that could deteriorate your car’s paint job if left unchecked.
To get rid of residue, wash the area with water, vehicle-safe soap, and a microfiber towel until you remove the spot. Then, using a dry microfiber towel, absorb any leftover water droplets until the surface looks and feels dry.
Using a car wax or polish product to glaze over your car’s paint job not only gives it a clean shine, but it also helps protect the paint underneath. To wax your car, start by washing it with soap and drying it thoroughly. Then, using a microfiber towel, rub the wax onto each panel of your vehicle. You should repeat this process every few months to maximize protection.
If you live in a snowy or icy area, be sure to take extra precautions with your car’s paint job since the salt on the roads can cause rust and excessive damage. For routine maintenance, repairs, and quality car sales, stop by Priority Hampton Toyota – we look forward to being of service to you and your vehicle!
