As a new car owner, you should understand that maintaining the paint on your vehicle keeps it appealing for a long period and maintains the car’s market value.

The car’s value may be lowered if the factory-finished paint is replaced with new paint. This is because the factory-finished paint job is the best and most valued.

The cool thing is that maintaining factory-finished paint on your car is less expensive than replacing it. If you are looking to maintain your car’s paint, this tutorial outlines the strategies you can use to protect and extend the life of your car’s paint.

Use paint protection film.

Paint Protection Film (or PPF) is a thin thermoplastic urethane film applied over the vehicle’s paint. It is another transparent layer of protection that will not chip like a clear coat.

PPF protects the paint from stone chipping, bug residue, minor abrasions, and ultraviolet rays. Furthermore, the best PPF films feature self-healing characteristics, which means minor flaws “heal” themselves over time.

PPF’s finish almost precisely matches the paint’s surface, making them invisible without scrutiny.

For the best outcome, ensure that your PPF is installed by a professional who knows what they are doing. The last thing you want is to spend a fortune on the film, only to have it come off after a few days or fail to give your car the protection you want.

Use a car cover

When a covered parking space is unavailable, a car cover is an economical and effective way to safeguard your vehicle. When purchasing a car cover, get one that fits your vehicle precisely.

The car cover protects the vehicle from bird droppings, tree sap, dust, and weather conditions. When on your car, it acts as a barrier between it and anything that could damage its paint.

A car cover must be the proper size, have straps, and be made of high-quality materials to be effective.

Wax your car regularly.

A layer of wax can maintain your paint finish. Wax diffuses UV radiation from the sun and acts as a barrier to air contaminants. It also gives the paint a glossy and slick finish, making it simpler to wash and dry.

You should wax the entire car at least once every six months and use detailing spray to touch up spots between waxings. When purchasing a wax, opt for one you can apply in direct sunlight, as this is much easier to use.

Park in the shade

You would unlikely be surprised to learn that the sun damages your paint. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays fade and oxidize the color, while infrared heat exacerbates the effects of additional pollutants.

Without protection, the sun can destroy your vehicle’s finish in around five seasons. To avoid this, park your car in a shaded area, such as a garage, parking structure, or even under a large tree.

By keeping your vehicle out of the sun, you will significantly extend the life of its finish.

Keep your car clean

The atmosphere contains microscopic containments such as pollution, dust, and chemicals, which land on the paint and damage the surface.

Bird droppings and insect leftovers are equally destructive. Washing your vehicle frequently, even at a drive-through car wash, is essential for keeping the paint surface clean and free of environmental residues.

You should spray the major pollutants off the paint with a hose, wash with a soapy sponge, and rinse thoroughly. Always use “car wash” soap to avoid stripping wax from the paint. Dry with soft cotton towels or invest in microfiber cloths for a streak-free finish.

Install ceramic coating

Although ceramic coating serves the same purpose as car wax in providing additional protection to your paint, they operate differently.

A ceramic coating’s curing property chemically combines with car paint, forming a more permanent protective covering for your vehicle.

The ceramic coating is more durable than wax, resists ultraviolet rays, and protects your car’s paint from weather and other variables that can damage it.

A ceramic coating is the best option if your car is prone to swirl marks or scratches due to its high resistance.

Install mud flaps

When mud accumulates on your car, it can erode the paint and eventually cause rusting. As a result, installing mud flaps is critical to preventing the damage that mods can cause to your vehicle.

Mudflaps keep mud and road debris from getting all over your vehicle. It forms some sort of barrier, causing them to slide off.

When mounted on your vehicle, the amount of mud splashes on it decreases dramatically, limiting the damage that mud can cause to the paint.

Apply detailing spray

Detailing spray helps remove watermarks from your automobile after a wash. It also helps to remove dirt, dust, and fingerprints from the body of a car, so protecting the paint. It is simple to apply but does not provide long-term protection to your automotive paint, so you must keep reapplying it.

Parting shot

Brand new cars and trucks have beautiful paint with a deep sheen devoid of flaws and fading. Thankfully, all automakers apply a final coat of translucent paint (known as a “clear coat”) over the paint layer to protect the finish and look, but this does not mean the paint is entirely maintenance-free.

Follow the above tips, and your car’s paint will look elegant for a long time. As mentioned, beautiful paint is not only good for your car but also ensures that you have an easy time selling it.

When installing tinting film or any other material, ensure the work is done in a reputable protective car film shop Springfield. This way, you will be sure that the work is professionally done and that your tinting work will look good and last a long time.