The Best Ways to Protect Your Car’s Paint Job

So, you just forked out upwards of 75 grand on a new luxury car. The moment you drive it off the lot, or otherwise take possession of it, you know it loses at least a third of its value. As any new car owner would feel in this situation, you are likely to be worried about how to protect the value and looks of your new asset. As you will most likely be entitled to regular maintenance visits, which will keep your engine in good condition, it’s the body you will likely be worried about.
With even the sturdiest of luxury cars, consistent exposure to the elements, along with other dangers makes it hard to maintain the pristine condition of your car. Don’t panic, however, as there are known methods of keeping your car in excellent condition. Here are three simple tips:

1. Only use Professional Car Washes

So much of the damage that occurs to car paint is actually done by car owners themselves when they use harsh, corrosive detergent in washing their cars. A professional car wash will use the appropriate materials, but if you must wash your car yourself, be sure to avoid generic detergents and instead look for car-friendly detergent.
Another pitfall to avoid while washing your car is applying dirt that has the potential to scratch and otherwise maim your paint. This easily happens when a towel drops and is not properly rinsed off before it is used again in scrubbing the body of your car.

2. Keep Covered When not in use

If you don’t have a garage, you may be forced to keep your car outside, where it will be exposed to the elements. If so, it will be a good idea to keep it protected with a car cover that will help to minimize exposure.

3. Add a Protective Layer

With protective layering, you will add a permanent layer of some sort that will protect a car from the most common dangers such as scratching from pebbles and twigs, as well as from the wear and tear effect of exposure to the elements.

The three most popular methods of creating a protective covering include paint sealant, synthetic coating, and vinyl wrapping.

Paint sealant provides long term protection for your paint and is most effective when used in conjunction with regular waxing.

Another option is a ceramic coating, a Polymer-based substance which is applied to the paint of a car, just as with paint sealant. The material most commonly used in synthetic coating is polymer, which undergoes a chemical reaction with the paint, triggering a semi-permanent new coating that lasts longer than paint sealant.

The best option, however, is probably Vinyl wrapping, which is becoming more popular with new car owners. Even so, a lot of people still either don’t know or simply underestimate how vinyl wrapping can be the perfect solution for maintaining the quality of your car.

Each of these alternative methods has their pros and cons, but one of the biggest reasons why you should choose vinyl wraps is the fact that these are hardware and can be removed whenever you want, making them both more durable and more flexible at the same time.

More Reasons to Choose Vinyl Wrapping

As already noted, Vinyl wrapping is an excellent way to protect the body of your car. It can, however, be useful for more than just protection of your car. Here are the top three ways vinyl paint is used.

Self-Expression

With vinyl wraps, you are free to think up creative designs and patterns that reflect your unique personality. In a world where cars are mass-produced in generic colors, unique vinyl wrapping may allow you to stand out from the crowd. With multiple combinations and 3m vinyl wrap color options available, the room for creativity is unlimited. Unlike paint, which is permanent, vinyl can simply be removed whenever you would like to try something else.

Protection

As noted already, Vinyl-wrapping your car is a great way to ensure that its original paint remains unscratched and retains its integrity. You can also vinyl-wrap your windows, protecting yourself and your passengers from the potentially harmful effects of UV light.

Attention

In addition to being a great avenue for self-expression, vinyl-wrapping your car is a clever way to draw attention to your car for commercial purposes—vinyl wrapping your cars with your business logo could help you reach tens of thousands of people. Besides, vinyl wraps are un-intrusive and very cost-effective, with zero recurring costs for the duration of your advertisement.

Taking care of your new car will help ensure that it stays in great condition, for longer periods. While all the methods discussed here are generally effective, Vinyl-wrapping is particularly so as it offers the full range of protection with the least amount of alteration to your car.