How to Keep Car Paint Shiny and Other Easy Car Paint Maintenance Tips
There is no denying that a shiny coat of paint helps your car turn heads whenever and wherever you drive down the road. Of course, aesthetics aren’t the only reason to keep your car paint job looking its best. Keeping your paint job well-maintained plays a crucial role in preventing rust from ruining your ride.
Fortunately, keeping your car paint shiny and vibrant is a fairly simple task. All you need is to pay attention to the finer details of car paint maintenance and set aside an hour or two every week to take care of your car. With that in mind, here are a few simple car paint maintenance tips you can try to help keep your car’s coat of paint shiny:
1. Don’t Let Dust and Dirt Sit for too Long
Allowing a layer of dust and dirt to accumulate on your car is a quick way to make your car’s paint job look duller than it actually is. If you do not regularly wash your car but allow dirt and dust to cake, it can easily lead to uneven discolouration of the paint. The same is true for bird droppings or squashed insects.
Experts recommend washing cars you use every day at least once every week. If you often drive in areas with a lot of dust or if you live in a relatively dusty neighbourhood, you may want to wash your car twice a week: once during the weekend and once during the middle of the week. This is the best way to keep car paint looking new.
2. Always Wash Your Car with a Clean Microfibre Wash Mitt
Many car owners prefer to wash their own vehicles. After all, if you want a job done right, you have to do it yourself, right? If you enjoy washing your car yourself, make sure you do it right. Cleaning your car’s exterior the wrong way can easily do more harm than good.
Make sure the microfibre mitt that you use is sufficiently clean before washing and wiping down your car. Microfibre mitts can trap tiny rocks and other debris without you noticing. As you wipe your car, these debris can easily scratch your paint job. When washing your car, have a separate bucket for rinsing your microfibre mitt to avoid transferring any debris into the bucket with clean water and accidentally scratching your car.
3. Use the Right Cleaning Solution for Your Car
You may have heard that you can use dishwashing detergent to clean your car. You definitely shouldn’t do this. Dishwashing liquids tend to contain harsh chemicals and strong concentrations of sodium. This combination harms most types of car paint and can leave unwanted stains or even cause paint to chip if used often enough.
Always use proper car shampoo for washing your car. Car shampoo is specially formulated to gently clean your car and leave a very thin layer of lubrication that protects paint. All reputable brands of car shampoo will do this, so feel free to choose whichever reputable brand you like. If you want something that gives you the best value for your money, however, do not hesitate to ask your car detailer what brand of car shampoo they use.
4. Apply Car Wax a Minimum of Once Every Three Months
Car wax is a fantastic product since it naturally gives your car an irresistible sheen. In fact, a high-quality product can make slightly faded paint jobs look good as new. This is why many car owners and car experts recommend applying a nice car wax to your car right after you wash it.
Car wax is more than just something that makes your car look prettier. The layer of wax you apply also serves as an extra coating of protection against dust, dirt and other debris that can cause discolouration or fading. A good coat of car wax can also minimise UV damage from the sun. With that in mind, always apply car wax to your car at least once every three months.
5. Have Scratches Repaired at a Car Detailing Workshop in a Timely Manner
Car paint allows you to have your car in your favourite colour, but did you know that it also serves a practical purpose? Cars are mostly made of metal, which means that rust can be an issue if the metal is exposed to moisture in the air. Your paint job prevents this from happening by preventing moisture from reaching the metal parts of your car.
Scratches, however, expose metal to the moisture in the air. If left untreated for extended periods of time, rust may begin to form. Rust can then spread underneath the rest of the paint job and cause it to crack. Any scratches, especially ones that completely strip paint and expose the metal layer, should immediately be repaired at a trusted car detailing workshop like Clean Getaway Car Detailing.
6. Avoid Parking In Direct Sun if Possible
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can often be a problem throughout Australia. Not only can it cause a nasty sunburn, but it can also damage your car’s paint job. Similar to how leather tends to discolour when left exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, your car’s paint may fade if you leave it under the sun all day long all the time.
If possible, park your car in a shaded area or in a covered parking space. If this isn’t possible due to where you work or live, it may be a good idea to buy a car cover from your local auto supply store. Car covers serve a dual purpose as it protects your car from UV damage and prevents dust from accumulating as well.