Keeping your vehicle looking new makes it appear more attractive. Maintaining a clean look can also raise your auto’s worth. A new-looking car will catch a prospective buyer’s eye and even fetch you a better price. Discussed below are seven ways to keep your car looking new.
Invest in car detailing.
Car detailing is all about thoroughly cleaning your auto to restore it to its new-like condition. Unlike car washing, a detailing service is more labor-intensive and precise. Vehicle detailing is classified into exterior and interior detailing. Interior auto detailing includes cleaning a vehicle’s inner parts.
If your interior cabin is dirty, it’ll have a bad odor and a rise in operational complications. Dirty air exhausts spread allergens in the cabin, while grit and stain result in a switch failure. Foggy windows can mask the driver’s view. However, leveraging interior car detailing keeps it looking clean.
Exterior vehicle detailing reduces surface scratches and makes your car gleam. Leaving your vehicle in direct sunlight or driving on dirty roads gets it in contact with dust and other debris that affects its paintwork. The defects left behind can leave your auto with a scratched, rough finish, negatively impacting your vehicle’s aesthetics.
Car detailing safeguards your paintwork. An experienced car detailer also helps restore your car’s original appearance. The best car detailer, including Curbside Detail, should be efficient and possess the necessary skills. They have the tools and products to ensure their clients’ vehicles are professionally detailed.
Hand wash your car.
Automatic washes usually spray your auto with water and soap, and while it might seem clean, it might miss hard-to-reach areas and grooves. This makes your car susceptible to premature rusting and paint damage. Hand car washes offer more thorough cleaning than their automatic counterparts. They preserve your car’s beauty by keeping all its nooks and crannies clean. Getting your vehicle hand-washed safeguards its paint, boosting its integrity and longevity over time. Occasionally, debris spots missed in automatic washes can be sealed with polish or wax.
The sealed-in debris can eat your vehicle’s paint away. Hand washes usually offer the extra care and detail level your auto requires before polishing or waxing. Hand washing replaces the harsh chemicals used in automatic washes, resulting in more gentle washes. To effectively hand wash your car, use the right materials and products.
Use paint protection film.
A paint protection film (PPF) is a thin tinted, or transparent film applied to a car’s exterior surface to safeguard the paint from all kinds of damage like scratches and chips. It protects your auto from gravel, rocks, and other road debris that can harm it if splashed against its body. If your auto gets a minor scratch or any other damage with the PPF on, you won’t need to repair or replace the entire part or repaint it. A PPF professional will effectively remove the paint protection film from the damaged area and then reapply a new one over it.
Scuffs and scratches can accumulate on the film. Since the PPF is made of Urethane, it has self-healing properties which soften and get pliable once heated. These insignificant scrapes can disappear, making the PPF return to normal after warm water or hot air treatment. Paint film protection prevents various types of damages, including:
- Chips
- Acid rain
- Abrasions
- Mineral deposits
- Bird droppings
- Water swirl marks
- Mineral deposits
Use a clay bar regularly
A clay bar is a pliable and soft product applied in automotive detailing to get rid of contaminants from your vehicle’s surface paint. These impurities may include tree sap, brake dust, and particles that can get stuck on your paint to dull its appearance.
Clay bars usually pick up and remove these particles, ensuring your vehicle’s paint is glossy, smooth, and clean. They utilize light abrasive action to eliminate contaminants. Running the clay bar over your automobile’s surface picks up and removes the grime stuck on its paint. The bar also removes built-up grime that can dull your whole car’s appearance.
Clay bars are of several types, and the one you pick depends on the impurities you’re looking to remove and the vehicle’s paint condition. Fine clay bars are enough for cars whose paint is in proper condition but has light contaminants.
Heavy-duty bars are ideal for autos whose paint is in poor condition and has many contaminants. Using a clay bar to remove these contaminants keeps the paint looking new for longer. Using the bar on your car before waxing ensures a cleaner surface for your wax to stick to. This leads to a deeper and longer-lasting shine.
Consider polishing your car.
Driving under harsh climatic conditions speeds up your paintwork’s deterioration. Regular car polishing safeguards your automobile while helping it maintain its water-beading features and appearance. With the help of an experienced professional car detailer, your car’s paintwork gloss can be restored.
Polishing your car eliminates minor scratches and accumulated impurities to ensure your vehicle stays shiny longer. Professional vehicle detailers use top-quality polishes containing sealing properties. This creates a protective layer that slows your auto’s deterioration down. A car polishing service enhances your vehicle’s worth and extends its lifespan.
Invest in a top-quality car cover.
Bird droppings, dust, and other debris splattering on your vehicle can damage its paint job. Rain can also leave tiny blemishes or scratches that can begin corrosion. Harsh ultraviolet rays and the sun’s severe radiant heat can damage your automobile’s paint.
Investing in a top-quality car cover can help safeguard your vehicle from all these possible damages. Consider getting a custom-fit auto cover because it’s designed specifically for your car, meaning it won’t keep sliding and rubbing against its paint and destroying the finish. To find the best cover for your vehicle, consider the following:
- Your locality’s weather
- How often do you use your car, and where do you park
- Which color is suitable for your automobile and the cover’s storage needs
Vacuum your car regularly
Dirt and spilled liquids lead to excessive wear and tear on your vehicle’s upholstery and interior. Vacuuming it regularly prevents damage and keeps your car looking new for longer. A great vacuum cleaner removes debris and dirt from your car’s nook and cranny, keeping it shiny.
Endnote
Maintaining your vehicle’s new look betters its appearance and boosts its worth. Consider implementing these tips to keep your car looking new.