Your car might not be fresh off the lot, but you can give it a bright, shiny exterior.
The weather, road conditions, and the march of time can make your car’s exterior look worn down. And if you don’t deal with the buildup of dirt and debris, it can damage your car’s paint and clear coat.
The great news is you can do a lot to preserve your car’s appearance year after year. Just use a consistent routine and the right methods. Follow these top maintenance tips for your car’s exterior.
1. Wash With the Proper Supplies
Leaving dirt, grime, and debris on your car can damage your paint job. Contaminants can cause chemical reactions that eat away at your car’s clear protective coating and paint, and in some cases the corrosion can become worse over time. And of course, any abrasive material, such as dirt, can cause scratches all over your car.
That’s why it’s important to wash your car regularly using the right supplies. Stock your detailing kit with supplies like cleaning solutions formulated for cars, soft mitts and brushes, and microfiber towels. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get the most out of the cleaning products.
2. Apply Wax
The next tip for maintaining your car’s exterior is to apply wax twice a year. Many people skip this step, but it’s important for keeping your car in its best shape! Once you’ve finished cleaning and drying your car, apply a quality wax to protect the surface from weathering and debris. The wax will help preserve the clear coat layer over your paint.
In addition to its protective qualities, the wax itself makes your car look better. Wax can fill in shallow scratches and give your car a smoother appearance. And of course, wax also gives your car an attractive shine.
3. Get an Annual Detail
Finally, get your car detailed annually. While keeping up with your own cleaning schedule will help your car looks its best, professional auto detailers have the expertise and equipment to make the interior and exterior of your vehicle look as close to new as possible. The detailer will even clean your engine bay.
Your auto detailer will clean your car for hours, paying special attention hard-to-reach areas and giving your vehicle a deeper clean. They can also eliminate some scratches and oxidation damage to significantly improve your car’s appearance.