Whether new or used, buying a vehicle is a substantial investment, and you want to maintain its appearance for as long as possible. This maintenance is advantageous when the time comes to sell or swap the car for a newer model. Constant exposure to the weather, particularly Canada’s severe winters and road salt, makes it difficult to keep your vehicle looking new.
However, it is quite easy to maintain a vehicle in pristine condition for years with proper maintenance. It may need some time and work, but the investment is worth it. Here are some recommendations for maintaining the outside and interior of your vehicle in like-new shape.
1. Get Rid of Clutter
Eliminating interior clutter is one of the simplest methods to make your old automobile seem new. This includes discarded food containers, drink bottles, excessive quantities of napkins, sunglasses, and charging cords, among other items. Get rid of any unnecessary items in your car.
Every six months, you must do a thorough cleaning of your car to retain its condition. This involves wiping, shampooing, or vacuuming every interior surface.
2. Leather Conditioner
What about the inside of your automobile? Most people only see the outside of your vehicle when you drive down the street or park in a parking lot, but it’s crucial to maintain the inside. Cracked and faded leather will always cause your vehicle’s interior to seem old, so conditioning your leather is one of the best ways to keep it looking new. A quality leather conditioner will hydrate your leather, prevent fading, and provide UV protection that will benefit your leather in the future. If your vehicle does not have leather, you should still clean and condition the vinyl on the dashboard, console, and door panels.
3. Paint Coverage
The paint and clearcoat keep the outside of your automobile looking new. It would be best to preserve them with vehicle wax or paint sealant since they contribute to the automobile’s gloss and depth of finish.
Car waxes are readily available and well-known at local auto parts shops. Wax may be obtained in liquid or paste form using natural or synthetic polymers. No matter what sort of wax you pick, its operation is the same. Wax creates an invisible barrier that protects your car’s paint and clear coat from the elements, including the sun, rain, snow, and salt.
Paint sealants are comparable to waxes, but they are usually synthetic and have a lifespan of four to six months, while waxes only last a few weeks to three months. In addition, paint sealants provide the diamond-like shine seen at auto exhibitions, while waxes provide a more matte appearance.
After a decent clay bar treatment, applying wax or paint sealer may provide a show-car-quality surface.
4. Consider a Dependable Car Cover
If your automobile spends most of its time in a garage, an indoor car cover is ideal. This will prevent dirt and debris from adhering to the finish, reducing the likelihood of minor scratches. Ensure that it is custom-fitted, as general vehicle coverings will enable dust and grime to penetrate and may ruffle the particles into the paint. Custom tarps will enable far less dust and debris to get through.
If your vehicle is kept outdoors, you will want an outdoor car cover. Outdoor vehicle coverings provide enhanced UV protection and are water-resistant. Again, ensure you choose a custom-fitted cover with a fleece inside since universal coverings may have holes through which water might leak. The water then rests on the paint behind the cover, which may lead to problems addition, an outside vehicle cover stops UV rays from degrading the inside.
5. Hose it Down
Instead of going to an car wash every 14 days, give your vehicle a quick but more frequent water rinse. When you do this frequently, you won’t be paying for a cleaning when the dirt builds. You can also opt for giving your car a quick dusting. Use a microfiber towel to gently wipe off dust and spot clean where needed. This option is great if you live in an apartment and do not have easy access to a water hose or place to wash it. You should also consider taking your car to get detailed once every few months. When your car gets detailed the professional clean areas that aren’t regularly cleaned. They clean your tire wells, rims, and every crease within the interior thoroughly. Having this service done a couple of times a year will ensure your car stays in tip-top shape.
Conclusion
Often, you tell yourselves that the only way to get a car to seem brand new is to either completely detail it or purchase a new one. However, maintaining the appearance of your vehicle does not have to be quite as time-consuming or costly. You can do a few minor things to keep your car looking.