Buying a new car is a happy occasion, but it can also come with some anxiety. You value your investment and want to keep that new car look but it seems like everything is out to damage your paint, even the sun. The sun’s powerful UV rays can oxidize and fade car paint, as well as degrade the rubberized trim. This is especially true in Florida where the sun beats down on our cars almost every day.
Fortunately, it doesn’t need to cost a fortune to protect car paint, just follow these tips.
Wash Frequently, Dry Thoroughly
All of the dirt and debris that can accumulate on your car throughout the day, from bird droppings to pollen, can damage your car’s paint if left out in the sun. You should wash your car frequently, indoors or out of direct sunlight so that paint is cool. Trying to wash a car when the paint is hot can lead to disaster. The heat will cause the water to evaporate, baking the wash soap into your paint. This can leave visible marks in your paint, which are difficult to remove. Make sure your car is dried thoroughly after the wash as well because the minerals in water will leave deposits on your freshly washed car – not what you want at all.
Related article: Avoid These 10 Things If You Want To Keep Your Car Looking Like New
Keep it Out of the Sun
Clearly, the best way to protect car paint from sun damage is to keep it out of the sun in the first place. While it may seem like a good idea to park under a shady tree to avoid the sun, trees mean birds which mean droppings – another thing you’ll also want to avoid. Tree Sap is also a concern, as it can lead to permanent damage to your paint.
If you have a garage available, then make sure you’re using it. Even if you don’t have a garage or something like it, there are still options. Vehicle covers come in a variety of fabrics and fits depending on how much you want to spend and how much UV protection you need. You can even get custom made coverings that fit your car like a glove.
Apply a Ceramic Coating
Washing frequently and keeping your car out of the sun are great tips, but ultimately the most efficient way to protect car paint is by applying a ceramic coating. Ceramic coatings offer greater UV protection than wax and they form a permanent bond with your vehicles paint for lifelong protection. Ceramic coatings protect your car from contaminants in the water, improper washing/drying, and of course UV damage. This all-in-one protection is great for those who are short on time and can’t wash their car as much as they’d like or those who travel frequently, exposing their car to the sun.
At Details Matter we carry two of the best ceramic car coatings around – Ceramic Pro and Opti-Coat Pro. For more information on ceramic coatings and our paint protection services contact us today.