John N
One of the great joys of owning a car is driving it. Sadly, there’s an equal downside – keeping it looking new and impressive. Modern cars are incredibly complex pieces of work, and require meticulous care to keep them at their best, so that you get to enjoy your car as much as possible. The constant wear and tear on the vehicle inevitably takes a toll on the exterior of your vehicle. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune on repairs and detailing to keep it brand new. It just means paying attention to the little things such as the following:
- Tires
The tires on your vehicle are one of the first things people notice. If they’re cracked or dirty, it can ruin the appearance of the entire vehicle. Keeping your tires clean and free from cracks makes your car look much more appealing to others. If you have cracks in your tires, replace them as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
- Wash regularly
Another way to keep your car looking great is making sure it’s always clean. If you let road grime and dirt build up on your car for too long, it could end up damaging the paint underneath and leaving streaks when you wash it off. Make sure to use high – quality car wash soap and soft towel to get rid of all the dirt before drying it off with another soft towel. Stay away from detergents formulated to be extra-tough on dirt, they can be extra-tough on your paint. In addition, you should wash from top-down, taking care to scrub away all grease and tar with non – abrasive tools.
- Use Clay bars
Most people haven’t heard of clay bars before, but they’re a great way to remove all sorts of dirt and grime from the surface of your car. These clay bars deep cleans and removes surface contaminants like tree mist bug residue, paint overspray, road tar, rail dust, and other stubborn dirt that normal car wash liquid wouldn’t remove. They’re easy to find at any auto parts store and they’re cheap, so they’re definitely worth picking up if you want your car to look great over time. However, a clay bar treatment isn’t something that should be done regularly. Always, remember to wax immediately after using the clay bar.
- Wax and Polish
Keeping your car clean doesn’t make it look nice; it also prevents rust from forming on the undercarriage of your car, which damages the paint job more than anything else. Waxing your car every three months will help keep rust off for longer than simply washing it every week or two. Waxing protects your paint from the elements and acts like a shield against irritants. It’s best to apply wax under the shade, away from direct sunlight. If you really want the shine, make sure to polish immediately after wax application.
- Windshield Wipers
It’s also important to maintain your windshield wipers. Wiper blades should be replaced at least once a year and more often if they’re not clearing off the windshield properly. When you change your wipers, check your windshield washer fluid as well – an empty tank could cause you problems.
Luckily, you don’t need to spend hundreds on cleaning products or a monthly car wash to keep your car looking like new. With just a little effort and some know-how, your car can stay pristine as the day you drove it off the lot just follow the tips laid out above and you should be good to go.
