Car Care 101: An Owner's Overview

The Basics Of Car Body Care

Auto body care is an important part of keeping your vehicle looking good, and it can also help to protect the resale value of the vehicle, as body problems can significantly lower the value of the vehicle. New car owners will find it especially beneficial to learn more about the steps that they can take to avoid these problems with their new vehicle.

Apply A Protective Ceramic Coat To The Car's Paint

A protective ceramic coating can be an extremely durable and effective form of protection for the paint on your car's exterior. In addition to being effective protection against staining and discoloration, the ceramic coating is also capable of preventing scuffing and other light scratches that may occur. Unlike some of the other coatings that individuals will use for their vehicles, ceramic is an extremely durable type of protection that may be able to last for several years before it needs to be refreshed.

Limit The Amount Of Time That Passes Before Repairs To The Car's Body Are Made

Whenever your car's exterior suffers damage, it is important to have it looked at by a professional auto body repair shop as soon as possible. Even minor dents should be repaired as soon as possible. Often, the force of impact from the dent can actually compromise the protection the paint and exterior coatings provide. As a result, rust may start to develop on the damaged portion of the vehicle. By repairing this damage before rust is able to form, you can limit the costs that will be needed to restore the vehicle as corrosion can easily lead to large sections of the car needing to be repainted.  

Thoroughly Clean The Car's Exterior On A Frequent Basis

Regularly cleaning the exterior of the car is another step that individuals should be taking with their vehicles. There are many substances that can get on the exterior of the car that will be able to cause considerable damage to the vehicle. For example, tree sap, bird droppings, and deicing chemicals can also be highly corrosive if they are left on a vehicle's exterior for a prolonged period of time. As you are cleaning your vehicle, it is important to use microfiber cloths that are in good condition, as this material will often be able to remove the dirt and grime that has gotten on the vehicle's exterior without leaving deep scratches in the exterior. Additionally, you will need to be thorough when rinsing the vehicle as leaving small amounts of soap on the car can make it sticky enough to trap dirt.

Contact an auto body shop in your area, such as Select Collision Group, for more information.