Seven Ways to Make Sure Your Car Looks Fantastic

Your car will most likely be one of your prized possessions. It’ll be one of the most expensive items you will own in your life, so there’s every chance that you’ll want to make sure it stays looking as good as it did when it first left the factory.

Keeping it looking just right can be expensive and time-consuming, but that doesn’t have to be the case. There are many different tasks that you can do yourself, which will mean your pride and joy will continue to shine. These are just some of the tasks you can do in order to maintain the look of your vehicle.

Avoid any unnecessary exposure
When you go somewhere, try to park your car in a place where there are fewer opportunities for it to get damaged. Look out for a parking garage where you can, or a covered parking deck, in case the weather turns bad.

Also look for shade, but try not to park under a tree, as your car could end up being covered in debris, bird droppings, or sap; or even get damaged from a fallen branch.

Get storage
Storing your car in a garage is the best way you can protect your car from different elements. It will shield your vehicle from rain, debris, low temperatures, and sunlight.

Not everyone has that option, though, so you should look for a cover that will give it respite from the elements. Consider portable car garages, which will do the job that you want, and can come in a variety of sizes and colors.

Wash it regularly
Making sure you wash your vehicle regularly means that any paint-damaging debris doesn’t accumulate. Do this every week if your park your car outside, as this will stop rain and bird droppings from damaging the finish. Car-wash soap (rather than dish soap) will retain the chemicals to give a long-lasting shine.

Use sun visors
Put visors on your front and rear windows so that your dashboard isn’t entirely exposed to the sun’s rays. Visors will also reduce the damaging effect of UV rays on the upholstery, leather, and interior plastics.

Don’t park under trees
You’ll want to find shade, but you need to be cautious with this. There are many different element of trees—such as pollen and sap—that could end up damaging the paint. Do your best to avoid parking in these spaces.

Use wax to keep the shine
There are many corrosive and toxic items that can stick to your vehicle’s paint and cut through it. Applying wax to your car will prevent them from doing any damage. You can do this every week or month, depending on what type you use. A paste wax, for instance, will last longer and won’t need to be applied as often.

Don’t write on your car
It can be fun to get your hands on a dirty vehicle, but you shouldn’t because dragging your fingers through the dirt can leave deep scratch marks. Your fingers will act like sandpaper, making the dirt penetrate through the paintwork.