4 Essential Tips for Consistent Exterior Car Care
Your car might be your baby or it might simply be a tool for getting from A to B. Whatever feelings you have for your vehicle, the odds are you’re going to spend years behind the wheel in your lifetime. That’s why it’s important to understand some essential car care techniques, looking after the exterior, interior and what’s under the hood. A car isn’t just a tool, it’s an asset. Knowing how to care for your vehicle protects that asset in several important ways.
This piece will focus on the importance of proper car exterior care, encompassing everything from basic maintenance to installing the right garage doors for your environment.
The importance of a car maintenance plan
Exterior car care is more important than it might seem to the less passionate drivers reading this. Without proper car maintenance, your vehicle will be much more vulnerable to negative impacts such as:
- Corrosion from salt, dirt and environmental pollutants picked up from driving around
- Paint peeling or fading as a result of UV rays, bird droppings and tree sap, etc.
- Dirt and debris eventually negating some of the aerodynamic profile of the car
- Windows, mirror and headlights under performing when you need visibility
Perhaps most importantly, proper exterior car care will help to maintain resale value. Even if the guts are in running order, the visual indication of care from a clean, well-maintained vehicle will make a huge impact on a potential buyer’s decision.
Now that we’ve illustrated why it’s so important, let’s dig into four essential things that need to be included in your exterior car maintenance checklist.
Regular car washing
Washing your car is an obvious one, but for good reason. Giving it a quick wash once every two weeks or so, or more often during harsher periods of weather, will help to combat the corrosive effects of pollutants picked up on the road. If you can’t find the time to wash it yourself, don’t worry – there are estimated to be over 10,000 hand car washes in the UK.
Some essential tips to remember include:
- Using a dedicated car soap over household detergent
- Use separate sponges and cloths for the body and wheels
- Wash in the shade if possible to avoid soap drying in water spots
- Pressure washers are useful, but should be used with caution to protect the paint
Waxing
After washing, waxing is a great way to create a smooth, clean and protective barrier for the car’s exterior. You can choose between a range of waxes, including:
- Carnauba wax, which offers a good, glossy finish but doesn’t last that long
- Synthetic wax for longer-lasting protection
- Ceramic coating options for the most fortified (yet expensive) layer
Make sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to application.
Being mindful of seasonal changes & extreme weather
Car care can be quite a seasonal task. For example, spring and summer bring the hazards of increased UV rays and airborne pollen. The colder months of the year can mean increased exposure to rain, snow and ice.
Tips for preparing or managing these weather conditions include:
- Parking in the shade or under cover
- Monitoring tire pressure
- Ensuring antifreeze levels are right
- Scraping and de-icing ice and snow
Investing in a strong garage setup
If you have a garage, you might think your car is covered. However, it’s just as important to care for your carport as it is to look after the car itself. Secure garage doors protect cars from theft, vandalism and weather damage, while insulation also ensures temperature control that supports the operation of the car’s insides.
These are just some of the essential processes you need to keep in mind to maintain the quality of your car’s exterior (with some mind to the operation).