What You Need to Do
Whether you have just painted your car or you are getting ready to, you are probably wondering how long your handiwork will last. There are so many things that can affect the longevity of your car paint, from things you can’t control, such as the weather, to steps you can take, like regular waxing and taking care when parking. To help you get the very most out of your car paint in the months and years ahead, here are just a few of the factors that can have an impact on its lifespan.
Following the right steps during the painting process
If you haven’t painted your car yet, listen up! Taking care at this stage can make all of the difference when it comes to the longevity of your car paint. Sanding and priming properly will ensure that the paint is going to take well, and shipping for the best quality car paint that you can find will further boost the results. When you are done painting, don’t cut corners when it comes to the clear coat.
Weather conditions
The weather is one of the things that plays havoc with your car paint the most. UV rays can cause the clear coat to oxidise over time, and this can lead to a dull finish and the paint underneath becoming vulnerable to further damage. Cold weather can have an impact as well, with this coming from the grit used to make the roads less slippery during periods of snow and ice.
Where you park your car
Most of us park our cars on our drives or the pavement, but this isn’t the best move for their paintwork. Bird droppings and tree sap can cause a high degree of damage to car paint, and then you have the weather conditions we have just talked about, too. Parking your car in a garage is always the best way to protect the paint, although covering it over is a good idea if you don’t have one.
How often you wash and wax your car
Washing and waxing your car is a job that you might put off until the weekend rolls around, but you shouldn’t skip it! Removing dirt and any other contaminants from the surface of your car can help to keep the paint in great condition, and wax will give it a further layer of protection. You should wash it every two weeks and wax it every three to six months.
Improper car washing technique
How you wash your car can also affect its paint as well. Using abrasive cloths can lead to tiny scratches in the paint that make it weaker over time and allow rust to form. The brushes used in drive-through car washes can do this as well, so it is much better to roll your sleeves up and do it yourself. Or you can let the kids do it as a way of earning their pocket money!
What you can do
Car paint can last for 10-15 years when looked after properly. So even if you take just a couple of the above steps, you will be setting it up for a much longer period of looking its best. So what are you waiting for?
