The first thing many others notice when they see your car is the bodywork. So, if you want your car to continue turning heads, even after years of use, ensure that the bodywork remains in pristine condition.
However, maintaining your car's exterior is not an easy task due to cosmetic damages from scratches. Harsh elements, like the sun and rain, can also cause damage to your car's paint.
Luckily, you can avoid most car exterior damages if you take good care of your car. Below are tips on keeping your car's body in pristine condition.
Don't Park at the Mall's Crowded Parking Areas
Do you know that your car is at a higher risk of exterior damage when you park it at a local store's parking lot than on the street? These damages are mainly a result of cart dings and scratches from shoppers as they try to push shopping carts in between parked vehicles.
Since the most crowded space in a shopping mall's parking lot is near the entry door, park your vehicle farther away and walk to the mall.
Avoid Tailgating Other Vehicles
In addition to increasing the risk of accidents, tailgating can cause damage to your car's exterior. When you follow a vehicle too closely on the highway, the vehicle may kick up small rocks in your direction, causing minor dents on your car's body. Such dents will become bigger problems if you don't repair them.
Clean Your Car Regularly
Your best bet to keeping your car clean and shiny is to wash it regularly. When you wash your car, you remove the grime and dirt that could damage your car's paint if left to settle for a long time.
However, ensure you've used the right washing solution to avoid damage to the paint. For example, if you use regular detergents, the chemicals in the detergent can be too harsh on your car's paint job. Also, to avoid causing scratches when cleaning, use a microfiber rag or soft cotton instead of any piece of clothing available.
The last step after cleaning your car is to dry the exterior with a soft cloth instead of waiting for the water to evaporate. The evaporating water may leave dirt and minerals if you wait for the car to dry by itself.
Repair Scratches Immediately
A small scratch can become a huge rust patch if you don't do the necessary repairs. A simple procedure like spreading rubbing compound around the scratch can remove a small scratch, restoring your car's shine.
Keep Your Car Covered
Due to the harsh elements outdoors, the best storage space for your car is inside a garage. However, if you don't own a garage, use a car cover to cover your car whenever it is parked outdoors.
Wax Your Car Occasionally
A coat of wax after every few months will go a long way towards protecting your car's exterior from damage by elements and scratches. In addition, waxing your car maintains its shine even after years of use.
Don't Forget the Tires
Though tires are an essential part of a car's exterior, you may forget them when cleaning. If you fail to wash your wheels regularly, dirt and mud will accumulate underneath and hold moisture, causing rusting around fenders.
A clean, shiny car makes you a proud owner, plus you can sell the car at a higher price. The tips above will help you keep your car's exterior in good condition for a long time. Also, only hire a professional collision repair expert for severe damage repairs. At Automotive Super Sports, we are dedicated to providing excellent repair services to our clients.
Contact us today for a free estimate.
