Taking care of your vehicle is important. And this includes aesthetics, too.
After all, chipping paint or a cracked windshield will drive down your vehicle’s value. And when the time comes to sell, you’ll wish that you’d taken better care of it. Thankfully, a fresh coat of paint can help make your car look brand new again.
But did you know that some simple mistakes may ruin your car’s paint within the first month? And these missteps are easier to make than you think.
If you want to keep your car’s paint looking fresh, keep reading. We have all the tips you need about car paint protection right here. Let’s get started!
Inspect Your Vehicle After It’s Painted
When it comes to new car paint protection, success starts the moment you pick your vehicle up from the shop. Although you may feel tempted to show off your freshly painted car right away, resist this temptation. Spend some time inspecting the service.
Take your car out into daylight for the best viewpoint. Search for defective spots and, if you find any, alert the shop’s employees right away. Getting your car painted is an investment and you want to make sure that you get your money’s worth!
Wait Thirty Days to Wash Your Car
The thought of dirt and other environmental contaminants getting on your freshly painted car may send chills up your spine. But washing your car right away can actually do the most damage of all.
Even the best car sealant needs twenty-four hours to cure, and the new paint needs much more time. For the best results, wait thirty days before visiting your local detailing shop.
Wash Your Car Properly to Prevent Damage
After the thirty day waiting period is up, it’s imperative to wash your car with care.
This will help extend the life of your paint job and keep your car looking great. Here’s how:
Stay Away from Automatic Washes
Although they’re convenient, automatic car washes can damage the exterior of your car. The cleaning agents they use are far too acidic, and although they effectively dissolve dirt and grime, they also damage your car’s paint. In fact, they’re so strong that the CDC even issued a report in 2105 regarding the dangers they pose to carwash workers.
Not only are the chemicals too strong, but the brushes are, too. Even if your local automatic carwash doesn’t have the giant, bristly, spinning ones, it doesn’t matter. The seemingly-gentle flaps are dragging dirt and grime across your vehicle’s paint and creating a ton of tiny scratches.
Not to mention, the pressure of the water can create damage. Strong blasts of water can literally peel your car’s paint right off. This is especially true if it’s fresh and delicate!
Each part of an automatic carwash, even down to the manual drying at the end (have you seen how dirty those rags are?) can damage your vehicle. It’s best to choose quality over convenience and to take matters into your own hands.
Use the Right Materials and Soaps
When washing your car on your own, focus on using the correct washing materials. For example, it’s best to stay away from sponges as they will pick up debris and then drag them across your car’s exterior. Microfiber cloths are a great alternative because they pick up dirt but won’t hold onto it.
When it comes to choosing a cleaning agent, focus on pH. A pH-balanced soap will be gentle to your car’s paint and won’t cause damage.
Read more now if you want more details about when and how to wash your car after body work,
Wait Sixty Days to Wax Your Car
To give the paint and paint sealant the best chance at setting correctly, wait at least sixty days before you wax your car.
Spray on car wax will damage the new paint by hindering the curing process. When the sixty days are up, remember to research the best spray wax for cars to ensure full quality and protection.
Be Careful Where You Drive
Cruising around town in your fresh-looking car is fun. However, it’s important to remember not to go on any unnecessary trips after your paint job.
The more traveling you do, the more you will expose your car to potentially harsh elements. It’s especially vital to avoid gravel and dirt roads, as flying debris may damage the uncured paint. Stick to short trips and smooth pavement for the best car paint protection.
Garages Work Wonders for Car Paint Protection
For at least a couple of months after a fresh paint job, keep your car in the garage when you’re not driving it. This will protect the vehicle from both sun and weather damage and allow the paint to cure.
If you have a second vehicle, now’s the time to use it. You can also grab rides from friends or use ridesharing apps to get around town.
Although this may sound extreme, your car will thank you. After all, there’s no point in shelling out the cash for a fresh paint job if you’re not going to follow through with the proper aftercare.
The Bottom Line
In order the get the most out of your car’s next makeover, follow the car paint protection tips above. Protecting and caring for your Ensuring that your car in the months after a fresh paint job gets you the most bang for your buck. Proper protection and care also provide the best results possible.
Just make sure to give your vehicle a thorough inspection after it comes out of the shop and to report any defects right away. Wait at least thirty days to wash your car (and sixty days to wax) and make sure that you steer clear of automatic car washes. And lastly, be sure to stay off of rough road surfaces and to keep your car in the garage for as long as possible.
Do you have any questions or comments? Feel free to contact us anytime. We’re here to help!