Wouldn’t it be nice if you could maintain that new car shine forever? Check out these few helpful tips from your local body shop that will keep your car looking as sharp as the day you bought it!

1. Keep Your Car Clean
The easiest thing you can do to maintain the paint on your car is just to keep it clean. You should wash and shine your vehicle regularly to remove dirt, salt, bird droppings, and any other residue that builds up on your car from day to day. If you wait too long to wash your car, the residue will start to bond with your paint and by the time you clean it off, the paint will come off too.

2. Back Up When You Spray
A good tip to remember if you wash your car at home is to keep some distance between the paint and the pressure jet setting on the hose. The high-pressure water does help to remove stuck on dirt or sticky sap, but it also aids in the paint chipping on your vehicle. Keep the pressure water away from the car and use a microfiber wash pad to scrub the spot instead.

3. Reduce Outdoor Exposure
The more you can keep your car covered, the better. We recommend investing in a good, quality vehicle cover, especially if your car is going to be parked for an extended period of time. Ultra-violet rays from the sun and chemicals in rainwater are two of the leading causes of damage to your car’s paint. Keeping your car in the garage, in the shade, or under a cover can help prevent fading and degradation caused by the natural elements.

4. Avoid Automatic Car Washes
While they are convenient, we recommend avoiding automatic car washes, like those at gas stations, because they tend to damage your car’s paint job. The brushes used in those drive-through washes are rough and can cause fine scratches that will diminish the integrity of your paint over time. Take the time to clean your car yourself or take it to a manned car wash.

Bring Back That New Car Shine
At Fender Mender, we offer top-of-the-line auto painting services to make your car look as great, or even better than it did the day you bought it. Our advanced technology and experienced staff will match your vehicle’s paint color exactly to ensure you are getting the best quality work, every time. Contact us for a free estimate if you are interested in freshening up your paint job.