Car TLC: 4 easy ways to keep your car looking good

We spend a great deal of time in our vehicles, (more than most of us would like). Not only do we take a beating sitting in traffic for hours, so does our car’s body. All year long and especially during the icy winter months our cars take a hit from a barrage of elements. Fortunately, giving our vehicles a little TLC all year long goes a long way in protecting it, making it last, and keeping it (and us) looking good. Here are four easy ways to keep your car looking good:

1.Give it a bath

Bathing your car weekly can be a very simple way to keep your car’s body looking good. Different environmental conditions, bird droppings, and chemicals from road construction can all cause damage to your car’s paint job. A rusted out car is a dangerous car! By washing it frequently, you will minimize permanent damage and rust caused by harmful substances. During the winter, you might be inclined to wash it less when in reality it is a good idea to wash your car anytime that the temperature rises above 46 degrees.

Tips for car washing:

• Use ultra-soft cloths and sponges so as to avoid scratching or doing damage to the paint.

• Make sure that anything used on the car is clean, bits of dirt and debris can over time cause micro-abrasions that build into visible imperfections and areas prone to rust.

• When using a car wash, make sure the brush is in good condition and not too abrasive. 

• Use mild products meant for cars.

2. Wax It

Waxing your car often will not only make your car look amazing, but it will more importantly, help protect your paint job from the elements. It will likely take you a couple hours and the cost of the product, but it will be well worth your time. Traditional waxes must be applied with a soft cloth or sponge and then must be rubbed off/buffed into the paint job. This will seal and protect your paint from the elements by putting a barrier between the paint and the environment. It will also make your car’s paint job shine. 

3. Paint Sealant

Applying a sealant every 3-6 months is also very good for your car. You can use it in lieu of wax or in addition to, in order to protect your paint job. It provides a super thin sealant that will add so much sparkle to your car that you might need shades just to look at it. The sealant is made of tiny glass particles that you apply to clean paint. After you rub it on and let it dry, wipe off the excess and enjoy your car’s beauty.

4. Protect It

Keeping your car out of the elements as much as you can is the best thing you can do for your car. The sun is pretty harsh on your skin and on your paint job, so the more often you can park in a garage during the heat of the day, the better. When you can’t, look for shady spots in open parking lots. At home, using a car cover will increase the longevity of your paint job if you can’t park it in a garage.

In the winter, make sure that you use a soft brush to remove snow and park it indoors or use a car cover whenever you can. If you have to park outdoors, try to keep it off a busy street where snow, ice, and chemicals may hit your car from snow plows and other vehicles. Also, continue to wash your car as often as possible. Spray off the salt and chemicals applied to roads to minimize ice. It is especially important to clean underneath the car. Utilizing indoor, automatic car washes during the winter months will pay off in money saved to repair rust.

Caring for your is important.