How to Protect Car Paint

Learning how to protect car paint is important for many reasons. First, your car’s outer appearance has a significant impact on its value. Secondly, it can make a lasting impression on friends, clients, and family members. Maintaining your vehicle’s paint will keep it as close to its original condition as possible. This requires protecting it from scratches as well as dirt, chemicals, and the sun’s harsh rays. Here we explore our top recommendations for how to protect car paint.

1. Get a Ceramic Coating

One of the best investments you can make for your car is a ceramic coating. This is a fantastic way to protect car paint over time. These coatings work like wax, but they’re made from liquid silica polymers that last much longer.

Ceramic coatings such as those made by System X will last 5-10 years when properly maintained. This makes them a cost-effective solution that provides excellent protection against environmental hazards while also repelling dirt and chemicals.

2. Professional Detailing with Clay Bar

Having your vehicle detailed regularly is an amazing way to protect its paint job. It will help maintain its appearance while keeping other areas of the car in excellent condition. A professional detailer will also clean areas that may be too difficult for you to reach by yourself.

Make sure that your detailer includes professional application of clay bar treatments. Clay bars use specialized blends of rubber and resin compounds to lift contaminants right off your car’s clearcoat. It even eliminates pollutants that washing simply can’t remove. While you can buy clay bars yourself, it’s important to have a professional do this step to prevent accidental pits, swirls, and scratches.

3. Clean Your Car Regularly

One of the most important aspects of supporting your car’s paint job is to clean it often. This is perhaps the most central principle when it comes to long-term paint protection. Even when you invest in detailing and ceramic coating, you still need to wash your car regularly.

When washing your car, it’s essential to do so in ways that won’t damage its exterior. Thus, make sure you review the general guidance for washing your car based on whether it has a factory paint job, a ceramic coating, or some another type of aftermarket covering.

4. Park in the Right Places

Ideally, you should always park your car in a garage at night. This provides the most protection from other drivers and the elements. However, this isn’t possible for everyone, so if you must park outside, try to park in the best areas possible.

Parking your car in the shade is one of the best ways to guard against damage from UV rays. Additionally, avoid any trees that have lots of sap, seeds, leaves, or low-hanging branches.

5. Look into Paint Protection Packages

Another way to maintain your car paint is to look into professional packages that offer guaranteed protection. We have several packages that include this to varying degrees. In fact, all our detailing packages include some form of paint sealant or protection. For instance, our standard package includes a three-month paint sealant. Spring for The Works to get up to 9 months of protection or an exterior-only detail for up to one year of added defense.

Take Care of Your Car’s Paint

Your vehicle’s paintjob is one of its best features. Not only does it make an impression on those around you, it also shields critical components from rust, grime, and excess wear. It’s important to take care of it, especially if your vehicle still has its original factory paint. We hope you’ll reach out to learn more about our ceramic coatings, clay bar treatments, and auto detailing services. Our experienced professionals are happy to answer any questions you may have.