Tips on How to Protect the Exterior Paint of Your Car

No matter what kind of car you drive, first impressions are everything. The exterior paint of your car is likely the first thing that you, or anyone else, notice about your ride. When the exterior paint isn’t in great condition, it can be an eyesore, and it can significantly detract from the natural beauty of an automobile. Whether you’re an enthusiast or simply drive your car to and from work each day, riding in style has it’s benefits.

Ongoing paint care is often last on our list of priorities, next to oil changes and tire rotations. However, paint care is highly underrated in ongoing vehicular maintenance procedures. A relatively affordable expense, exterior paint care for your car doesn’t have to break the bank or significantly add to your monthly fees. Many drivers care for their vehicles themselves, occasionally enlisting the help of professionals. There are pros and cons to caring for your car’s exterior on your own, but it can certainly be done. In this article, we’ll go over: the benefits of proper paint care; the basic tasks involved; and some helpful tips in order to get the best results.

Benefits of Proper Paint Care

Many car owners and drivers overlook the importance of exterior paint care. There are a few important benefits that you’ll be happy you acknowledged once you begin to follow through with an exterior care protocol. These are two of the most critical reasons why automotive professionals all over the world recommend exterior paint care:

Retains Value

Above all else, keeping your exterior paint in excellent condition significantly retains the value of your car. Usually a “bad investment,” cars can depreciate in value rather quickly once you drive them off the lot. When a prospective buyer looks into purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, one of the first things they notice is the exterior and paint job. This reflects the level of care you’ve put into the car, including what’s under the hood.

Improves Appearance

Of course, this one’s a no-brainer; keeping your car’s paint in beautiful, shiny condition greatly improves and maintains the overall appearance. You don’t have to be the owner of a luxury, exotic car to appreciate a nice, well-cared-for paint job. In fact, older cars’ appearances can be significantly altered with a simple wash, wax, and polish—which brings us to our next point: the basics of exterior paint care.

The Basics of Exterior Care

Assuming your exterior is already in good condition, protecting your exterior paint is a relatively simple process. It’s important to follow the three basic tasks of exterior care: washing, polishing, and waxing—in that particular order. Performing these tasks out of order can lead to paint scratching and serious exterior damages.

Helpful Tips

Any automotive professional knows that exterior paint care requires thought and planning—it’s not always as simple as 1, 2, and 3 or washing, polishing, and waxing. Here are a few helpful tips for keeping your car’s exterior paint in the best condition—whether you choose to hire a professional washing and detailing service or not.

1. Use the right products – Avoid chemicals and products that strip your paint’s natural shine.
2. Avoid drive-thru washes – These pesky machines, although seemingly convenient, tend to produce fine scratches that are costly to repair and remove.
3. Stay consistent in cleaning procedures and paint care – Don’t forego a wash because it requires too much effort!
4. Keep your car out of the elements when possible – Garage storage, a carport, or car covers are highly recommended to avoid the sun’s harmful rays and potential damage.
5. Consult professionals – If you’re not sure how to tackle exterior paint care, don’t attempt to do it yourself!

How Conejo Auto Detail and Tinting Can Help You

For years, the paint care experts here at Conejo Auto Detail and Tinting have served clients from all over the areas of Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Simi Valley, and Newbury Park, CA. Providing unrivaled quality of care in exterior paint jobs and detailing services, we make it our mission to ensure that every project leaving our facility stands out with a shine you can see your reflection in. If you’d like more tips on paint care, or would like us to take on the arduous task for you, please contact one of our helpful professionals directly. We look forward to proving our expertise and making your car look brand new!