How to Care for Your Car Exterior

Although you want your car to look good for aesthetic reasons, taking care of the exterior will also protect the paint finish and prevent permanent damage. Here are a few easy steps you can include in your car maintenance routine that will help you retain the value of your car longer.

Wash Your Car Regularly

As mud, dirt, rain, and salt contain minerals that can actually damage your car’s paint finish over time, it’s advisable to wash your car regularly. When you do, remember these tips:

• Rinse and pre-wash: Applying soapy water directly to dry paint can damage the exterior of your car. For this reason, your first step should be to get rid of as much dirt as you can with clear water. Next, you can apply pre-wash to the tires and lower parts of your car where there’s a lot of stubborn dirt.
• Use two buckets: When washing your car, use two buckets: one with clean water and another containing the washing solution. Dip the mitt in the washing solution, and work small areas at a time from the top down. Rinse the mitt in the clear water first before dipping it in the washing solution again to ensure that you always apply clean wash water.
• Apply a detailing mitt: Once you’re done washing your car, dry the exterior surface with a microfiber towel, rinsing it in clear water now and then if need be. Next, go over the exterior with a detailing mitt or clay bar to smooth out the surface of the car.

Polish Your Car

Although you should not do this with each car wash, you want to polish the exterior of your car about twice annually, as this eliminates scratches, swirls, and other minor imperfections. It also restores shine to paint that has lost its luster due to oxidation. You can either polish by hand or use a buffer. The latter method, however, works better, as it distributes pressure more evenly than a manual pad.

Apply Wax or a Ceramic Coating

Applying a wax or another sealant, such as a ceramic coating, after a polish is a great way to protect your car’s exterior. Although a wax is the cheaper option and will restore shine and protect your paint finish, it unfortunately, only lasts for a few weeks. A ceramic coating, on the other hand, will afford you shine and protection on a permanent basis. It will cost you more though.

Repair Stone Chips and Scratches

It’s important that you repair stone chips and scratches sooner than later to prevent rust from settling in. Although you can address minor imperfections by polishing your car, it won’t work for larger chips. In such instances, you can invest in a touch-up kit, which contains a primer, color-matched paint, a clear coat, and a bottle of rubbing compound. Before applying the primer, gently sand the area first to prevent sharp edges.

By taking these few easy steps, you will ensure that your car doesn’t only look great, but that it will retain its value longer.

Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com

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