Taking the time to keep your car in optimal condition is sometimes worth more than buying a vehicle fresh off the lot. Take care of your car to ensure its value and reliability for the long term. There are different methods to keep your car looking great after having it for years. Here are some tips to help make your car look new.
Taking Preventative Measures on the Exterior
One of the first things people notice is the exterior. When searching online for “car detailing near me,” check for a place that does good work on the body of your car. Preventive maintenance is the best way to go because it’s like the saying goes, “when you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”
In other words, you don’t have to worry about your car breaking down constantly when you have regular upkeep. You can get your car washed by a professional and even use a spray-on detailer and waterless-wash product to help wipe things down for 10 minutes a few times a week. Choose this option as a better method to preserve the exterior.
Apply the Solution on a Towel
Instead of applying the car solution directly to the vehicle, place it on the towel. You have more control of how much of the solution you want to use and where to put it on the car. Get a clean rag to do this to prevent dirt or other things from impeding your progress.
Spraying harsh chemicals on the vehicle can make the marks hard to remove. While your intention may be to clean the vinyl elements of your car, it could get on the window. The problem with these solutions is they make it tough to eliminate stains.
You might want to have a few towels for a few specific jobs if you plan to clean both the interior and exterior of your car.
Give It a New Paint Job
The white color may get a stained look after a few years. However, you can change the color to black or something else to give it a beautiful gloss finish. Before you do this, start with a blank board.
Either go to your local car wash or make it a Saturday job where you clean the outside of your vehicle. Get all of the stains, scrapes, and nicks off your car. Wax your car to give it that fresh appeal.
Decide on a paint color you’re comfortable with for the long haul. Remember, paint jobs are permanent unless you do a wrap. Wraps give you more variety because you can switch them back and forth.
However, a wrap can decrease the monetary value of the vehicle.
A Clay Bar Works Wonders
It’s a reliable trick from the 1980s that people neglect to use these days. If you have a penchant for vintage cars, this might be the way to go to help restore the gloss to your exterior. Even on modern vehicles, clay bars can quickly strip grit, grime, and stains from the outside.
It comes in handy when the contaminates have bonded with your paint, which would make it a hassle to remove. You can go ahead and give your car a proper wax or polish job to help even the paint tone.
Decide On Either a Wax or Polish Job
Either method will work to help preserve the gloss on your car. Think about the long-term benefits of both gloss tactics. Some people believe that polish lasts longer than a wax job. However, a good car wax gives them that deeper and rich shine tone.
Either way, you’re protecting your vehicle from harmful UV rays that can cause chip damage to the paint.
Clean the Windows
No one wants some dusty windows with streaks all over them. You want to use a microfiber towel. Spray on a small section to clean the windows.
Take the dry side to help wipe everything up to prevent any marks.
You can do the same thing for any bird droppings on the vehicle. Remember that bird droppings have toxins, which can etch into the paint and cause more damage to your car’s integrity. The same thing can happen to your windows, which can leave unsightly streaks and marks.
Find a good solution and towel to help get your windows in great shape.
Upgrade the Technology
If you have a car more than five years old, it may be a good idea to update a few things. You might see the dashboard that looks out of touch. You can do some simple things, such as adding a digital dashboard, replacing your radio with a Bluetooth and streaming service, and even a remote engine starter.
Think about the convenience of listening to your favorite podcast or songs without having to hear the same five songs that play on AM/FM radio. Also, you might have kids that want to be entertained with their favorite Blu-ray movies when on the road for a long trip.
You might want to buy new tires and even upgrade your engine. Not only does it feel more comfortable to drive, but you’ll save more money.
You won’t depend on a mechanic to fix your engine issues every time. Also, it’ll optimize the way you use fuel. It can save you frequent trips to the gas station.
Reupholster the Seats
We use our cars for hours each day. The seats get so damaged in time. You need to find a good shop that puts in new covers and sews different tears throughout the material.
Also, the seats may have faded, so you need a solid solution to help them shine. The interior can make a car age without proper maintenance to preserve it.
Get Some Solution for Your Leather Interior
Vinyl, plastic, and other materials wear out. However, leather is the worse. While leather looks great, it’s the most vulnerable to UV rays.
The heat and the light can get your seats to crack and warp in the summertime. Find a leather spray to help shield it from the sunlight. You can always talk to an auto repair service to help you decide on the best way to keep your interior intact.
Keep Your Car in the Garage During Winter
Ice, snow, and other debris make your car more vulnerable to exterior damage in the wintertime. Consider putting the car in the garage for a better cover. Not to mention, you can use containment mats to protect your garage floor.
Choose the best options to help you preserve your car for the long term.
