7 Tips To Protect Your Car's Paintwork And Keep It Immaculately Shiny

Your car’s exterior is just as important as the interior. While it’s important to keep you and your passengers comfortable while on the road, you’re also responsible for maintaining the quality of your vehicle’s paintwork. From getting a car polish compound to checking fluid levels, we’ve compiled seven tried-and-tested tips on how to do just that in this article.

Is it your first time owning a car? Or have you recently got your car repainted? Read on to find out how you can keep your car’s paintwork immaculately shiny.

Wash your car regularly and properly. A common mistake that newbie drivers make is washing their car using a dishwashing liquid. It’s a no-no because the product’s acidity level can damage the car paint. Use an appropriate car wash instead. After washing, dry your car using a microfibre towel. Merely relying on air to dry the water will only damage the paintwork.

Use a polishing compound. A car polish compound is a versatile product that will help you smooth out scratches, scrapes, and even unwanted paint transfer. It’s also designed to clean stains and rust. For optimal performance, invest only in quality compounds and follow the instructions shared by the manufacturer.

Get a car cover. When parked without a car cover, your car can be exposed to sunlight and other weather elements. The least damage this can do is destroy your car’s paintwork. Simply bear in mind that your car is thoroughly dried out before you put on the cover. Otherwise, it can encourage bacterial and fungal growth.

Avoid writing on your car with your finger. Apart from investing in a car paint protector, there are simpler things that you can do to protect your vehicle’s paintwork — one of which is prohibiting yourself and other people from writing on your car with your finger. In case you’re not aware of it yet, your finger can drag dirt on your car’s surface and leave scratches in the process.

Monitor your car’s fluid levels. One of the benefits of checking fluid levels regularly is getting your car paint protected. During warmer months, your car can heat up and get used up more quickly. When this happens and you’re unable to replenish it, it can damage your entire vehicle — including the paintwork.

Use reflectorised sunscreens. The heat coming from the sun can cause bleaching effects on your car. To counter this damage and get lasting benefits, put reflectorised sun panels in your vehicle’s rear and front dashes. These screens effectively lower your car’s temperature, which is beneficial to its interior as well.

Invest in a paint protection film. Though it’s on the pricier side, a paint protection film is a great car paint protector. This film is designed to safeguard your vehicle from several elements — including hazardous UV rays, scratches, and dust particles among others. Generally, these films last for around five years. An alternative is to equip your car’s exterior with a vinyl wrap. These wraps can cover minor issues and are easily removable.