We all do our
best to look after our car by bringing it in for a regular service, but how
much care do we take over its exterior?
Keeping your car
looking good on the outside isn’t just about looking good! It will save you
money on repairs if you take regular care and also help with the re-sale price
when the time comes to say goodbye.
First let’s look
at the paint. There are basically two primary types of car paint – water-based
and solvent-based paints. Both use a liquid that holds the pigment in
suspension so it can be sprayed, and once dry the two types of paints compare
favourably. But whichever paint your car has, you’ll need to make some effort
to look after it.
Even if you keep
your car inside a garage overnight, it’s still out there in the elements most
days. The sun’s UV rays will have some
effect on paint, and worse still can also affect the inside of your car by
fading upholstery and the dashboard. We
recommend putting a reflective screen inside your windscreen. But added to that
the gravel and stones that flick up off the road, sap from trees that you might
park under and at the very worst bird droppings, will all leave marks on the
paint if not cleaned away.
The birds took a liking to this Mini Cooper! |
Some people like
to wash their car every Sunday. Others say that a once a month hose down with
some car shampoo is ideal and others swear by a wash and wax every 6
months. Whichever your choice may be
will probably depend on how dirty your car gets, but we’d recommend that you
pay it some attention and make sure that dirt and debris don’t stay on its
surface too long.
Waxing the
paintwork after a wash will help you protect the car for longer, and the nicer
your car looks the more likely you are to look after it. An extra coat of wax on the bonnet to cope
with the added heat there is recommended.
It’s also a good
idea to touch up paintwork as soon as you see any nicks in it, so that the rust
doesn’t set in. Or if it’s a larger dent have it seen to sooner rather than
later.
This dent should have been attended to a long time ago. Look at the rust! |
So love your car.
If you leave us to look after the mechanical parts and you look its exterior
you’ll be rewarded with a vehicle that’s a pleasure to drive and you won’t mind
being seen in!
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