Your car’s sparkling finish made it through the salt, sand and harsh temperatures of winter. But your car’s paint faces year-round hazards. According to Autoblog, a car with faded paint and a dingy look sells for 10-20 percent less than an otherwise identical vehicle that just looks nicer.
Start with a good coat of wax, then be on the lookout for these common problems:
Parking Under A Tree
Trees may provide shade, but they also produce sap and can drop twigs or branches on your car on a windy day. Your best defense is to make sure the paint is waxed. If you find tree sap on your paint, get some bug and tar remover from your auto parts store to dissolve it. Then, rinse and wax the area again to remove any residue.
Bird Droppings
Without going into the science of bird droppings and their reactions with paint, you can just trust us that it can wreak havoc. When a bird mistakes your vehicle for a giant portable toilet, the best thing you can do is remove it quickly. A wet cloth will usually do the trick, but be careful to wipe with a lifting motion so that you don’t grind it into the paint.
Gasoline Drips
You know the gas station rules: No smoking at the pump and don’t touch anything in the restroom (although that’s more of an unwritten rule.) But spilled gasoline isn’t just a safety hazard, it can cause long-term harm to your paint.
To prevent stains and rust, avoid topping off your tank, and clean up any accidental drips immediately.
Writing In The Dirt
Using your finger as a writing utensil to draw “Wash Me Plz” in dirt isn’t as harmless as you think. Dirt can act as sandpaper when dragged across your vehicle’s paint, leaving the writer’s message behind permanently.
To avoid this, get your car washed frequently to eliminate abrasive dirt from your car’s surface. Light scratches can sometimes be removed with polish or scratch remover after the car is clean.
High Speed Bug Collisions
Bugs hitting your windshield on the highway are gross, but relatively harmless. The real problem is the bug that makes your paint its final resting place. They are extremely acidic, and not easy to remove. Have your car washed regularly. For the most stubborn guts, use bug and tar remover as soon as possible.
Washing Your Car With A Dirty Sponge
We’ve suggested washing your car frequently, but be sure to do so carefully. Using dirty sponges or towels can do more harm than good.
Some older automatic car washes still use abrasive brushes rather than a soft cloth, which can scratch the paint. Another safe bet is a “touchless” car wash that uses high pressure water jets to clean your car.
You love your car, and you want to protect more than just its paint job. Get car insurance at a competitive rate in just a few minutes.
Thank you says,
Good afternoon, you have been a great help.
Barbara Gaughan says,
Is it worth taking the AARP safe driving course?
Gregory Sheets says,
Every one of these are great comments, specially in keeping the car clean and keeping it waxed. I drive through town and you can just look at the cars, much newer than mine and see the ones which park out in the open at apartments, work or houses without carports/garages.
The hazing and flaking of the clear coat is caused by excessive exposure to UV rays and heat which have dried out the clear coat. Most waxes and even liquid polishes are rich in emollients penetrating petroleum products which reach deep into the outer surface and revitalize the moisture content, needed to maintain a healthy finish. They also include light soft cleaning agents to work at lightly removing any damaged surfaces. If you wax or polish your car’s paint 1-2 times a hear, it is an hour well spent, paying rewards, not just in the looks but also in your trade in value.
I have a 20 year old Dodge truck, a 22 year old Cadillac Allante, a 25 year old Cadillac Eldorado, and a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible and the paint on each is original and looks original as if they had just rolled off the line.
I live in a forest, filled with large old trees which are always dropping leaves, twigs, and occasionally, limbs. Thus, each car is parked under one of those $100 free-standing carport. These not only keep what little sunshine off the cars, but also keeps the rains, leaves and twigs off the cars. On the rare occasion that an older limb falls, they end up damaging the carport covers, and not the cars. Trust me, I would rather loose a $100 carport as compared to over $1,000 in body damage to hoods, upper fenders, roofs, and window glass.
Remember, “wax on, wax off” is not just healthy, but costs less that $1 in product which maintains your multi-thousand dollar investment.
Greg
Nelson says,
Thanks for letting me knows.
Linda Rodriguez says,
Thank you for the great tips of how to maintain the exterior of my car. ?
wanda smith says,
How can you protect your paint job when they sell them with bad paint. My paint is peeling like crazy. I wish someone would make the car makers produce better cars in the USA
Julie Pittman says,
Thank you for all your emails about car care and upcoming payment reminders. I love the gecko too. I have never had to use your service as far as accident wise. But for the 6 months I have had your service iam pleased.
Renee says,
What is a good yet inexpensive car wax and where to purchase?? I also live in Florida, ableit , my car is still shiny, but I still get little pieces of something like tiny bugs now, that seem to be discolouring my paint when washed off, this is not good and never has it happened before, should I get something in a red tint, if that is possible to blend the colour back in and also protect it further, they are way small and I do not want to dot my car with auto paint pens or touch up paint, that would look awful… I realize this is a complex questione… also anyone have a good solution for plastic headlamp covers that are beginning to get cloudy??/ I have heard there are home remedies that do the trick and are inexpensive??
Jerry Reed says,
Interesting as I live in Florida after moving here from New Mexico and I just erected a canvas car port for my 2014 Escape. Not just so it would be cooler but to protect the paint from “sun” and Bird visit’s. Thanks for bring into the forefront as now my friend can see this, she is with you as well, because she moved here from Texas and he pretty blue car looks like a cat has scratched it on the top and hood but, I told her it was from the sun. Now she is pricing a new paint job.
Claudia Rose says,
That was really very helpful, it answered all my questions about saving my paint job on my beautiful car. That hot Florida Sun is a killer. Thank you for the info.
Sandra Robles says,
How do I keep my car protected while park outside. ….do I buy a cover?
Jerry Reed says,
it certainly would help
chadres pierre louis says,
Ok
Theresa says,
What type of grease/oil do I use for the joints on my convertible top.? Thank you 🙂
Otto Sandleben says,
I DETAIL cars on the side and I DOUBLE wax mine every six months. In addition I also do the interior as well including the door jambs. The inside and jambs rust faster than the outside of the car. Don’t forget them. I think I should be getting a discount for how I take care of my vehicle. Later, Otto Sandleben 🙂
Renee says,
yes you should get a discount, however, I have found Geico to be the best in Customer Service and costs in coverage, and no , I do not work for Geico, I had State Farm for many years and So glad I changed to Geico.
John says,
Don’t use too much soap, it will not rinse off and leave dried soap on the finish. Read the instructions, they are usually right.
Use 2 buckets, one for soapy water and one with clear. Never go directly back into the soapy water, you’ll just carry the dirt to another place. Rinse the brush, rag, sponge in the clear water and change it often.
Renee says,
do you recommend washing with large sponge ?? What do you wash with? I have always used a little dish soap and lysol.. is this good?
Steve says,
You should never use dish soap like Dawn as it will strip any wax you have on your car and it’s not good for the paint
Mike says,
Dish Soap is the worse thing you can use!!! It will strip any and all wax if any you have off of the car.
John says,
I use a long handle (5′ or so) brush with soft bristles. The job goes faster and is easier on my back. I used a sponge but found it transport dirt and road grime too easily. With a brush I can rinse it much better between application of the soap mix.