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A vehicle is built to last an owner a decent amount of time, but that time does not reflect forever. Over time, vehicle parts begin to decline in performance and eventually need repairs or replacements, and so does the auto body paint job. For this reason, qualified automotive professionals always recommend prioritizing regular preventative maintenance like tune-ups and oil changes and ways to preserve the lifespan of a vehicle's paint job. The first thing to consider to be proactive in maintaining the longevity of your vehicle's auto body paint job is the common causes of a ruined paint job in the first place. The question to ask is, why am I finding specks of rust, fading spots, and random scratches on the body of my vehicle? And experts say there are numerous possibilities for all these blemishes.
Paint Blemishes and What Causes Them to Occur
Any rust, or what professionals label oxidation, is from any exposure to moisture. That moisture can come from natural elements such as rain or not drying a vehicle thoroughly after carwashes. Underneath the paint of a vehicle is a layer of metal. When metal and moisture mix, rust is the most common outcome. Another common auto body paint blemish is dull and faded spots usually found on the hood and tops of trunk doors. These spots are due to significant exposure to the sun. The sun's UV rays are strong enough to weaken the paint's components, pulling the color over time. Exposure to the sun contributes to normal wear and tear to any vehicle and is inevitable to a certain extent.
Along with rust and fading imperfections are random scratches and dings. These imperfections typically come from flying road debris, shopping carts, parking spot neighbors who may hit your vehicle with their door, and tree branches. All these flaws can change the outward appearance of a vehicle. For this reason, qualified auto body paint experts have many ways for owners to preserve their paint job to get the most out of their ride.
How to Preserve Your Paint
Although some of these blemishes are inevitable and come with owning a vehicle, professionals recommend plenty of ways to minimize flaws to maximize paint job lifespan. Three simple ways include:
- Keeping vehicle free of water droplets
- Routine car waxing
- Keeping your vehicle out of the sun's reach
Auto body paint experts support protection tactics such as drying your vehicle thoroughly after car washes and rainstorms, waxing your vehicle every three to six months, whether professionally or on your own, and parking out of the sun as much as possible. Drying a vehicle thoroughly after carwashes and rainstorms limits the chance of water spot damage. Water spot damage derives from water drops left on the surface of a vehicle and the minerals and elements that make up that water eating away at the paint. Experts highly recommend hand drying the vehicle using a microfiber towel because it delivers the best results in absorbing the water and is made of the softest material for your paint. Another highly merited way to preserve a vehicle's paint is using top-of-the-line car waxing brands such as Weica, Turtle Wax, and Mother's California Gold or taking your vehicle to a qualified professional every three to six months. Regular car waxing helps maintain the clear coat of a vehicle's paint. This clear coat provides a layer of protection from the sun and other natural elements like rainstorms. Over time, the clear coat of wax lessens, making it easier for the paint to fade, rust, and chip, which is why experts recommend it be a part of routine maintenance. UV rays from the sun are some of the most powerful, which is why auto body paint experts vote it the number one reason for dull paintwork. Parking out of the sun in shaded areas, using car covers, and utilizing carports and garages are the most preventative ways to protect your vehicle's paint from the sun. When a vehicle's clear coat gets destroyed by the sun's strength, it leaves the vehicle susceptible to fading damage, paint chipping, and dings.