An automobile is more than just a machine on wheels or an investment for a car owner. The statement is true because a well-kept car speaks a lot about how passionate you are about it. Keeping your vehicle well-maintained helps it run better,s besides preserving its shine.

Every car owner must ensure their car is in top condition because, besides appearance, routine vehicle maintenance extends the automobile’s life.

Most car owners fail to comprehend the extent of damages a car suffers until they become evident, thus resulting in costly repairs.

It’s better to pay a little from time to time than to pay a lot more in the end. Besides, it also saves your car from costly long-term repairs.

As a car owner, it might be new information, but according to Mycarneedsa.com, a well-maintained used ride is more valuable than a rusted one.

A potential buyer interested in buying a used car is more likely to consider the one with regular service history than the one with zero maintenance.

When your car is not regularly serviced, the damage to the car’s exterior from accidents or collisions is more severe.

Though damages might be reversible, the repair process is multi-layered, which is time-consuming and costly.

The repair process is incomplete even after replacing damaged parts or smoothing out the dents through a pdr service or PPF treatment.

That is so because the critical and final part of the process is the paint job. A high-quality paint job does more than make your automobile look new.

Paint is a protective barrier against dust, rocks, and dirt that turns your car’s exterior to rust. Other than preventing rust, maintaining the car’s paint protects the body from getting scratched and preserves the automobile’s value.

Following a few tips will help keep your ride looking new.

1. Regular wash

A well-maintained car always grabs the attention of others which is why you should wash your car regularly to maintain its paint.

Car owners prefer washing their vehicles only when dirt accumulates. However, besides removing dirt, regularly washing your car has other benefits.

For instance, your car windows covered in dirt or debris might impede your vision, making driving difficult.

Regularly washing your car ensures you have a clear view while driving, saving you from accidents.

Once rust begins to form, there is no going back, and not going for a regular wash eventually wears down the paint with time, causing surface rust.

A few things to consider while cleaning the car is to use soft and clean sponges that don’t leave a mark on scratch.

Besides using a soft cloth or sponge, consider using a low pH value cleaning agent. High water pressure is likely to damage the paint. Keep your distance when adjusting the water pressure.

2. Apply Wax

Applying wax is necessary because as the clear coat wears away, your car’s paint is susceptible to fading and discoloration, which ultimately leads to rust. Wax keeps the surface in the best possible condition and prevents the paint from chipping.

The general rule of thumb before applying wax is to wash the car’s exterior because doing so removes dirt or debris, providing a clean surface.

Deciding upon when to wax your vehicle depends on the car’s condition. Some owners apply wax every three to four months, whereas others often do it every eight weeks.

It is recommended that those exterior surfaces exposed to extreme weather like winters must be frequently waxed.

Another factor determining the time interval of applying wax is observing the layer of previously applied wax.

The wax layer causes water beads to roll away from the surface. The absence of a wax layer means no water beads roll off the, surface-indicating the exterior surface is unprotected.

Additionally, when you slide your finger on the waxed surface, it will glide effortlessly, whereas the glide is rough on an unwaxed surface.

3. Protect from the Sun

Prolonged exposure to the sun damages the exterior surface of the car, causing the color to fade or crack the paint.

The car’s paint either fades or cracks due to the ultraviolet rays that break down the molecules in the automotive paint, making it more susceptible to damage.

Therefore, to protect the car’s exterior from sun damage, the most effective tool is to apply wax.

The wax acts as a sunscreen, locking the natural oil condition of the car paint. Similarly, investing in a paint protection film keeps the exterior of your car away from sun damage.

Like wax, the protection film acts as a sunscreen and offers a protective shield against scratches and debris on the car’s exterior.

Applying wax or investing in a protection film keeps your car in good condition for a prolonged duration.

4. Paint Repair

With time, your car’s paint might peel away due to harsh weather, collision, or flying shrapnel. Once the color starts to peel off, the car’s exterior surface is exposed to scratches.

Apart from taking the car to a repair shop, you can treat minor scratches or chipped paint with DIY methods at home.

For instance, toothpaste is effective for minor scratches. Though any toothpaste does the trick, whitening toothpaste is the best option because it immediately fills shallow surfaces.

Remember not directly to apply the toothpaste to the exterior surface. Make sure there is no dust; after doing so, spread the toothpaste on a soft cloth and rub over the gash.

Apply pressure on the particular area to ensure the toothpaste seeps into the gaps. Use scratch remover products for deep scratches by incorporating the application rule similar to toothpaste.

Repair shops are expensive; if you are on a budget, these DIY methods will do the required work.

5. Consider using a clay bar

You might not know this, but even after washing your car, it isn’t fully clean. Most car owners are unaware that tiny contaminants embedded in the exterior coat blend with the paint surface, which is difficult to remove.

These contaminants, later on, are likely to cause scratches on the car’s exterior. To prevent that, an effective way is to decontaminate the surface using a clay bar. A clay bar removes all contaminants, including water spots, dust, and road debris.

When applied with a clay lubricant, the contaminants come loose and attach to the clay without damaging the clear coat.

The process doesn’t take time, hardly 30 minutes. If you want to check whether applying clay worked, glide your hands on the car’s exterior; the surface feels smooth.

Conclusion

A car’s dazzling shine and polish are the first things to catch a buyer’s eye. With time, the shine gradually fades away when the vehicle is not well maintained.

Unknowingly, even slight carelessness on the owner’s end can cause damage to the car’s surface.

A car owner’s most valuable asset is their ride; thus, retaining its value and condition over the year should be a top priority.

Therefore, regular maintenance like maintaining the car’s paint must be the first order of business because it prevents damages and saves car owners from costly repairs

Following the mentioned tips helps keep a well-maintained car and prevents damages likely to reduce its value.