You love your car. It gets you to work, takes you on adventures, and is always there in an emergency. That’s why you only treat your vehicle to the very best in exterior care to prevent chips or scratches. To do this means taking the necessary steps to enhance paint protection.
Car paint protection begins with following the right car care protocols designed to protect the finish on your car. Without the right paint protection for cars such as ceramic coating, it can be easy to develop scratches.
Let’s look at some of the most common reasons for paint damage and how car paint protection is as easy as a little TLC.
Common Paint Damages
You have likely walked around your car and noticed a scratch or nick and wondered, how did that get there? The truth is there are many ways that paint can be damaged despite being extra careful when driving.
Car Washes
Car washes may seem like the best care for your vehicle, but in fact, they can often cause significant paint damage. Over time car wash cleaning implements such as brushes and cloths can get dirty. As your vehicle makes its way along the conveyor belt, these seemingly gentle cleaning accessories can scratch your paint thanks to a buildup of debris from dirt, sand, and salt. Even in a clean car wash, bristles from brushes can wear down over time exposing metal wires that can leave scratches along the side of your car.
Go For Hand Washing
To prevent damage from car washes, choose instead to go for hand washing. This allows you to control what is used to clean your car.
Start by using mild soap and water to clean the exterior of your vehicle including the trim and wheels. Never use brushes or other abrasive cleaning tools on your vehicle. Instead, use soft cloths so that you never have to worry about scratching the finish.
Remember a lot of chemical cleaners can do significant damage to your car’s finish and weaken it, making it susceptible to scratching and chips. Only use cleaners that are safe for paint. Consult with your car detailing expert to ensure you are using the right cleaner in between detailing appointments.
How To Polish Car
Polishing your vehicle adds an extra layer of protective coating for cars. But you may be wondering how to polish your car to ensure that the finish is protected.
Polishing should always be done before waxing. Start by using a recommended car polish that has been approved by your detailing expert. Before you start, the vehicle needs to be dry. This will prevent beading and uneven finish. Use a clay bar to remove any imperfections before polishing then wipe down with a cloth. Once the car is clean and dry, you can begin.
How To Polish Car Paint
- Begin by putting a small amount of polish on a cloth or applicator pad. Make sure your pad is clean before using it on your vehicle.
- Begin working the polish into the car in circular motions. This will ensure an even distribution of the polish.
- Work in small areas at a time to make sure you give each section of your vehicle the right amount of polish to protect the paint.
- Rub the polish in until you have a very light film.
- Follow with a microfibre cloth to remove any leftover residue.
- Complete the polishing process with a coating of wax.
Remember to only use a car paint polish that is designed for the paint and finish of your vehicle. Traditional paint polishes may not be suitable for matte vehicles or vehicles with custom paint jobs.
Paint Touch Ups
Scratches or nicks will happen to everyone eventually. So when it’s time to do paint touch-ups, it’s important to follow the right steps to reclaim your beautiful finish. Paint prep for cars doesn’t have to be tricky. With a little patience and skill, you can easily restore the look of your vehicle in a few easy steps.
How To Prep A Car For Paint
- Make sure you are using the right paint for your vehicle. Your touch-up specialist will have a list of paint codes so you can accurately match your car.
- Make sure your vehicle is clean before you begin doing any touch-ups.
- Add a primer.
- Apply a base coat.
- Apply paint colour. It’s always helpful to test the colour first to ensure it matches your finish.
- Once the paint colour dries, apply a few layers of a clear coat to seal the finish.
- After the paint has had time to dry for a few days, use a rubbing compound for extra shine.
As simple as paint touch-ups may seem, it is always best to use a car detailing expert to make any repairs to your vehicle’s paint or finish. This will ensure that the job is done right and that you get the longest life out your car’s paint job.
Redfox Car Detailing offers professional and expert car finishing services. We can remove damage from stones or accidents quickly and affordably. We also offer the best advice on taking care of your car’s finish so you can enjoy the look of your vehicle for many years and increase the lifespan of the exterior.
