For most drivers, their car is more than just a means of transportation – it can be a vital part of their daily life, often serving as a mobile dining room, living room, and office, all-in-one. With so much utility available, it stands to reason that many would want to protect their valuable investment. Since a lot of resale value is based on equal parts function and aesthetics, this generally begins with protecting your car’s paint job.
There are several measures that car owners can take to combat the adverse effects that the elements can have on their vehicle’s paint job. This can include preventive measures such as installing a protective coating to regular maintenance by keeping the car’s surface clean via regular washes.
Of course, there is a lot to consider on the subject than can be briefly mentioned above. The information below is meant to provide additional insight into some of the more common methods for protecting your car’s paint job from harmful elements.
Get Your Car Washed Regularly
If you usually wait for the rain to wash dirt and grime off your vehicle, not only are you robbing it of fuel efficiency, but you’re also degrading the integrity of your car’s paint job. This is because if certain contaminants such as salt are left to sit on the surface they will slowly penetrate and can cause irreversible damage.
While it may not make the largest difference in terms of fuel efficiency, a clean and debris-free vehicle gets approximately two more miles per gallon versus a dirty one. At first glance, this may not seem like much, but as time goes on, these are differences that can add up to real savings.
Apply a Protective Coating
One of the most effective ways to keep your paint job looking new is to apply a protective coating over the surface. This coating can be as simple as putting on a layer of wax and sealant or a heavier duty option such as applying a ceramic coat. A ceramic coat offers superior protection. Once it is applied to the surface as a liquid, it quickly settles and can provide protection from risks such as road salt and UV rays for multiple years.
Your local technician will be able to best explain what type of coating is suitable for your area. For example, those looking to have their paint job covered in a ceramic coating in Charlotte, NC will have different needs than those in other geographical locations.
Park In a Garage
One of the best ways to protect your car’s paint is to keep it out of the elements in the first place. This is where dedicated garage space can come in handy. This is because even an unheated garage can help protect a car from elements such as hail, excessive snow, rain, and debris resulting from wind storms.
Even just keeping snow and ice off of an exposed vehicle during the wintertime can make a big difference in prolonging the life of a vehicle’s paint job. Of course, if you don’t have a garage yourself or the ability to rent space in one, your options are going to be somewhat limited. Although carports are another option that are less expensive than garages. Upgrading your home to be fitted with either a garage or carport can be an upgrade that pays for itself in terms of vehicle longevity – especially since you will likely have vehicles your entire life.
If You Park on the Street, Use a Car Cover
Not everyone has access to a covered garage. To take it one step further, not everyone even has a driveway where the house can provide some shade and a small barrier from wind debris. Those that must park outdoors should consider investing in a quality car cover.
A good car cover can be easily taken on and off with minimal hassle and will protect a car’s exterior from damaging ultraviolet rays or freeze-thaw cycles. One point that must be emphasized is that a cover shouldn’t be left on a car indefinitely – as any moisture that gets trapped between the car’s surface and the cover can cause big problems down the road.
Fix Dinks and Dents Promptly
A scratched passenger side door may seem more like a cosmetic inconvenience rather than something that needs to be dealt with promptly. If you don’t want a small scratch or dent to turn into a big problem, however, it is best to deal with such issues while they are still minor. This is because once the integrity of your car’s paint job has been breached it will be much more susceptible to further damage if left unrepaired.
Taking Care of Your Car Pays Off!
To sum everything up, protect your vehicle’s paint job from the elements can be an easy task to accomplish with a little planning and the right tools. As we’ve shown above, keeping your car’s exterior in good shape can help you prolong the life of the vehicle and help save you from unnecessary maintenance costs in the long run.