Paint A Picture Of Protection Perfection: 3 Tips To Protect Your Car's Paint Job

Posted on

Auto body damage is quite common for many car owners, which makes the need for auto body repair just as common. Whether you are looking to keep your newer car looking new or you are interested in reviving an older vehicle, auto body repair technicians can help. In fact, there are also a few things you can do to protect your car from damage, specifically when it comes to your vehicle's paint job.

Keep Your Car Clean

A dirty car can also lead to a damaged car. Your car is what gets you from point A to point B. Although your primary concern is your car's handling and maneuverability, you should also worry about what your car looks like. Failure to wash your car can damage your vehicle's paint job. Dust and debris can scratch the paint, and a scratched paint job can inevitably open the door for rusting.

It is highly recommended that you wash your car at least once a week. Of course, when it comes to cleaning your vehicle, you could essentially cause damage to your car's paint job if you are unaware of the proper cleaning tactics. In order to clean your car, avoid the temptation of your local car wash. Instead, opt to clean your car yourself to ensure no damage is done to your vehicle.

The best way to clean your vehicle is to use a non-detergent car cleaner and a soft cloth. Never make the mistake of using dish soap. Dish soap can strip the wax off your vehicle and cause your car's paint job to fade. Wash your vehicle a section at a time to ensure no soap or water dries to your vehicle. When drying your vehicle, blot it with an old, soft towel rather than wiping the water away.

Wax On, Wax Off

Aside from providing your car with a good wash, you should also take the time to wax your car. A wax job does more than offer a nice sheen and a deeper coloring to your paint job. In truth, wax can protect your car from dust and debris. The wax ensures that dust and debris cannot stick to your vehicle. Make sure you use a soft cloth in order to buff the wax and prevent damage.

You will want to work section by section in order to apply the wax and buff it off quickly. Do not allow the wax to dry onto your car or it could leave unsightly streaks behind. When you apply and buff the wax, make sure you work in circular motions in order to work the wax in evenly. You should wax your vehicle at least once a month. However, if you find that a monthly wax job just doesn't fit into your schedule, make sure you apply a coat of wax before the start of the winter season.

Roadway salt can destroy your car's wax job. The winter season often includes salted roadways in order to prevent ice from building up on the roadways and potential vehicular accidents. Whereas the salt is meant to protect you, the wax is meant to protect your vehicle's paint job.

Opt for a Touch-up

The truth is, no matter what steps you take, your car will likely still experience scratches, dents, and dings. However, the two steps listed above can help you minimize damage to your vehicle's paint job. Should your vehicle experience damages to the paint job, opt to visit your local auto body repair shop for a touch-up. A touch-up can help save you money in the long run.

If you allow the scratches to go untreated, your car may eventually rust, particularly if you live in areas prone to high humidity. States located near large bodies of water are often prone to high humidity. For example, some of the most humid cities in the U.S. include:

If you live in a region that is often affected by high humidity, your vehicle's paint job is at risk. In order for rust to form, it requires the presence of three factors: an electrolyte, cathode, and an anode. The metal frame of your car acts as both the cathode and anode whereas moisture in the air acts as the electrolyte. Another factor that can contribute to rust is salt. The humid, salty air of states located near the ocean can put your vehicle at risk of rusting.

In order to protect your car from rust damage, ensure that you fix any issues with your car's paint job as soon as possible. An auto body repair technician can have your paint job fixed up in a jiffy, so contact a local repair shop or visit websites like http://www.collision1.com/. If you happen to ignore your vehicle's paint damage, you risk the formation of rust, which could end up being a far more expensive fix than a simple touch-up.


Share