There’s a reason why the automotive body repair industry is expected to grow by 6% over the next decade. A car represents a significant financial investment and, odds are, that you’ll want it to look as good on the outside for as long as possible.

Unfortunately, one of the first parts of the car body that usually goes is the exterior paint. Getting a new paint job from one of these body shops can be expensive.

As such, your best bet is to protect your car’s paint job for as long as possible. If you want to know more about paint protection for your car, then you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to extend the life of your paint. That way, your car will look as gorgeous as the day you first drove it off the lot. Let’s get started!

Clean the Car Paint Often

Cleaning your car is a great way to make it look spotless and shiny. But, did you know that it’s also a great way to protect it from the damaging effects of the sun?

This is due to the contaminants that build up on your car over days, weeks, or even months. Contaminants include things like bugs, bird poop, and road tar.

When you leave the contaminants on your car in the hot sun, then they get baked into the paint. That means that they form an irremovable chemical bond with the paint.

As such, as soon as you spot one of these stains, wash them off immediately. You can do this by taking it to a car wash. Or, simply use dish soap and warm water at home.

Apply Either Liquid or Paste Wax

Many people think that wax is only good for giving a car a finishing shine. However, the reality is that wax plays a vital part in protecting your vehicle’s exterior. How?

By redirecting harmful UV rays that dry out your paint job. When purchasing wax you can either get it in liquid or paste form. Make sure you follow the instructions closely. You should apply the wax after washing your car.

But, you should also make sure that it’s dried completely. We recommend applying wax to your car every few months. However, you should never go more than a year without applying some form of wax.

We prefer polymer-based wax because it tends to last a little longer than carnauba-based wax. Plus, it’s easier to work with. The only downside is that waxing is expensive.

It also requires some back-breaking work to buff the entire vehicle. But, at the end of the day, it’s a labor of love. And, it can be a fun way to spend a Saturday if the weather’s nice.

Install Protective Film

If you live in an area that’s constantly being exposed to bright sunlight, like California or Florida, then you’re going to need some additional protection for your paint. For this, we recommend a paint protection film.

This is a thermoplastic urethane film that is professionally applied to parts of your car or the whole thing. Not only does it protect against the sunlight, but it’s also great at saving the paint from other threats, like gravel, acid rain, and snow.

The only problem is that this solution isn’t cheap. This is especially true if you go with an industry-standard film, like Clear Bra.

It also needs to conform to fit your vehicle perfectly. Make sure to check out this article for Clear Bra pricing. That way, you can decide whether or not this protection method is right for your car exterior.

Park Your Car Indoors

As we mentioned before, the sun is the enemy of your car’s paint job. Typically, your car paint will be fine from the sun when you’re driving around.

However, the same isn’t true when you park it. If it’s in a sunny spot, then UV rays will slowly but steadily degrade your car’s paint. Not only that, but if you park under a tree, then there’s a good chance that birds will poop on your car while it’s parked.

And, as we mentioned at the start of the article, this can form a chemical bond with your paint. As such, a simple decision, like where to park your car, can extend your paint life.

If you’re lucky, then you’ll have access to indoor parking like a garage. Or, you can invest in a carport. This won’t protect as much from the elements, but it will reduce sunlight and bird poop exposure.

Use a Car Cover

Sadly, not everyone has access to an indoor garage. If you fall in this category, then you might want to consider investing in a car cover.

This is a water-resistant cover that can be draped over your entire car. Typically, this is an inexpensive solution. Most car covers don’t cost more than $100. However, it does involve a bit of effort to effectively cover it.

As such, it can be kind of a pain on a day-to-day basis. However, it’s a great option for long-term storage.

Enjoy Learning About Car Paint Protection? Keep Reading

We hope this article helped you learn some tips for your vehicle paint protection. As you can see, paint protection is all about maintenance.

Whether it’s regularly washing your car or making sure that you apply protective films, these small steps will go a long way toward ensuring that your paint job lasts.

So, get out there and start protecting your car today! Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep exploring our website to find more topics that you’re sure to love.