Different Ways to Increase the Lifespan of Your Car's Paint

According to a poll of 2,000 American drivers, one in every five car owners hasn’t washed their car in months.

Auto paint has to be protected from scratches, bird drop pings, and the elements.

Investing time and money into maintaining the paint on your vehicle can pay off when it is time to sell.

Research has shown that people retain their cars for an average of six years before they trade or sell them for another one.

Detailing is one of the essential considerations in extending the life of a vehicle.

Detailing or cleaning your car breathes new life into it and gives it a fresh appearance.

Here are some car paint protection tips to help keep it looking better for longer.

Hand Wash Your Car

Sure, keeping your vehicle looking clean is simple and straightforward, but caring for your ‘baby’ is so important!

No automated car wash will give you the showroom shine that a hand wash will.

Things You'll Need

Getting a good wash requires a few different steps along the way.

With extra steps come a few other tools and products to get the job done.

You will need some microfibre cloths and towels—some to wash and others to dry off.

You’ll also need a good-quality car detergent and two separate buckets to make the cleaning easier.

Get Prepared

In general, you can wash a car anywhere that has access to water.

It’s a good idea to prepare your materials and equipment ahead of time so that you can washthe car easily before it dries.

Put the car in a shady area or within the garage.

Keeping it away from direct sunshine will save the car from drying out too quickly.

Gather all of your cleaning supplies so that you have it all ready before you start.

Have one bucket of water with added car detergent and another with rinsing water.

Washing Your Car

Having a decent wash requires more than simply using soap and water.

Some elbow grease will be needed unless you like the sight of streaks on the car paint surface.

Every clean should start with a vigorous rinse to remove dirt and soil from the body.

Apply a high-quality car soap with a foam sponge in straight lines rather than circular movements.

The most important thing to note is to start at the top and work your way down.

That is to keep any debris left behind from being shifted to the vehicle’s cleaner areas during the wash cycle.

Rinse with clean water. Be sure that no residue from the car cleaning solvent clings to the paint surface.

The body can then be dried, preferably with soft and dry microfibre towels, to prevent watermarks.

It is important to properly dry your car after a rinse to maintain the paintwork.

Allowing the vehicle to dry itself leaves mineral residue from the water behind, damaging the paint.

Wax Your Car

Although most people wash their cars regularly, the majority of drivers do not wax their vehicles.

Waxing the car is one of the most effective ways to improve its appearance and protect the exterior.

Apply wax to your cloth. It is critical, to begin with, to add a minimal amount of wax paste or liquid polish sealant.

Since the pad will become more loaded with wax as you continue to wax the car, you will not need to use as much wax at first.

Waxing your car in sections is the correct route, as when you leave wax on your car for a long time,

it becomes hard and almost impossible to remove.

Apply wax in small circular motions. Just like Mr. Miyagi said, “Wax on, wax off!”

Keep Your Car Under Cover

The sun’s ultraviolet rays are harmful not only to your skin but also to your car’s paint job.

The paint on your vehicle will oxidize and fade in the sun, making it appear much older than it is.

If you can’t park it undercover, keep it away from trees, power lines, and other places where birds congregate.

Tree sap, bird drop pings, and salt spray can all cause your paint to deteriorate quickly.

As salt reacts with metals, it is highly corrosive.

The same effect is generated by sea spray or salt spray from salt on snow-covered roads.

If at all possible, park under a shady-covered area. That will extend the life of your car’s paintwork by many years.

Remove Any Spots of Dirt Immediately

When you find something spattered across your vehicle, time is of the essence clean it up right away.

If you don’t, it will be much more difficult to remove later; you will have to scrub it very hard and risk damaging the paint.

If you can, wash it away with water; if not, use a weak detergent and plenty of running water.

Use a Paint Sealant for Maximum Car Paint Protection

If you want to add extra-durable security to your car’s paintwork,

or if you’re just not a fan of the wax on wax off routine, sealants are a good choice.

What is a paint sealant? It is a synthetic plastic coating that binds and fills your car’s paint pores

gives your car’s paint protection and seals, similar to wax.

You could also apply a paint protection film to your car. That is also known as stone or chip protection film.

Another choice would be applying a car detailing ceramic coat such as ceramic coating opti-coat,

which lasts much longer than wax and is just as simple to apply.

There are top experts if you search for ceramic coating Milton and ceramic coating Oakville,

who can detail your car professionally.

Use a Clay Bar to Remove Tough Dirt

In certain cases, a decent wash will not remove residual stubborn dirt and debris.

That is where clay bar detailing comes in by removing dirt from your car’s bodywork that regular cleaning cannot.

A light rub on the paint surface is all that is needed for the clay bar to collect any residue or dirt.

It is recommended to clay bar your car twice a year.

Alternatively, you can pass your hand over the bodywork and feel for any stippling.

If you do, you know that it is time to clay bar your paintwork.

Keep It Shiny and Bright

Today’s automobiles are almost made to be disposable.

People are no longer expected to keep a vehicle for 10 to 15 years, as they once were.

The paint jobs are designed to meet that expectation.

Few things are more satisfying than an immaculate car.

Every driver understands that regular washing and waxing helps keep a car’s paint gleaming.

If you are in the Oakley or Milton area and cannot achieve that extra car paint protection you want,

call us. We will be more than happy to answer any questions you have to keep your car shiny, clean, and protected.