As a car gets older and accumulates more miles, the maintenance that it needs to keep running often tends to increase, too. While regular oil changes, filter replacements, brake repair, and other small services can keep the mechanical aspect of your vehicle in tip top shape, keeping up with the exterior of the car can become more and more of an issue as the paint is faded and chipped away by the elements that it faces during every drive. Small rocks, bright sunlight, and harsh weather all wear away the gleam of your paint's top coat; eventually resulting in a dull, old-looking car, despite its mechanical capabilities.
The problem with this is that paint jobs are expensive. Getting a good paint job can run up a four-figure bill and put a huge strain on your budget. Fortunately, the need for a new paint job can be put off by taking great care of your vehicle's exterior; you can keep it looking like new despite the mileage's steady climb. First, you should park your car out of direct sunlight and under some kind of shelter, be it a garage, carport, or even large tent. This will protect your vehicle from the natural elements that gradually dull the paint and will also keep it out of reach of falling twigs, acorns, and other rogue projectiles that can cause damage.
Another key to saving money by making your budget go farther is to wash your car. The trick here, though, is to use the right kinds of products in the right order to create a clean and well-maintained exterior. When washing your car, follow these steps to keep your paint shining:
1. Wash your car in the open, away from trees, rubble, or dirt that can get into your sponge and cause scratches in the paint.
2. Make sure that the sponge or rag that you use is non-abrasive. Any plastic or hard pieces can ruin your car's paint job.
3. When washing, make sure to get all of the little nooks and crannies in which dirt and debris can settle, such as right under the windshield and in the door jambs. This will keep these substances from dulling the paint and causing rot.
4. Thoroughly rinse the soap off every time. Leftover soap can cause a film to form over the paint and, eventually, cause damage.
5. Use wax. Though waxing may seem to be quite a chore, the fact is that it both makes your car look great and protects it by forming a kind of shield over it. Wax comes in a large variety, though, so make sure that the product you choose is the right one.
6. Thoroughly dry your car with a soft towel or squeegee. This will keep the water from causing spots.
If you take good care of the exterior of your car, you can put off having to get a new paint job for years. Eventually, the paint may need a bit of a pick-me-up, but even then it will not need the extensive repairs that go into repainting surfaces that are scratched and dented.
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