Your car is an extension of your personality. The way you maintain it can say a lot about who you are. Weather can be hard on a vehicle. Whether it’s your daily commuter car or just one of the family’s shared driving options, taking good care of your vehicle will help it last longer and look better. If you want to improve the appearance of your vehicle, there are many things that you can do on your own or with some help from professionals. This article will discuss ways that people have found success in improving their vehicles’ appearances over time. Here are a few car care tips for the upcoming cold and stormy weather.
Wash Your Car Regularly
One of the easiest ways to improve your car’s appearance is by washing it regularly. The best time to wash a vehicle is before any dirt has a chance to stick to its surface, but you can also give it another quick cleaning if necessary. It’s important that you use soap and water when cleansing your automobile because using harsh chemicals may strip away any wax or sealant that you have applied to it.
Wash it often. Most professionals recommend washing your car at least once a week. When the weather is consistently bad or changes frequently, many car owners don’t want to spend the money to wash their vehicles. But this is especially important during snow and icy weather. Why? De-icing materials like magnesium chloride and salt build up underneath your car and may cause damage. And dirt or debris on the paint job can become ground in and leave permanent damage. An automatic car wash helps minimize these issues.
Dry the Vehicle
Make sure you wash vehicles early enough in the day that they can dry thoroughly after being washed. If possible, include a proper drying cycle at automatic car washes. This will help prevent debris from clinging to the car and being tracked inside. Keep a soft towel in your car to spot dry after a drive-through car wash. This can help prevent water spots from forming if the air dryers didn’t 100% of the water—which they rarely do. Wax is a good way to add another barrier of ice and snow protection after drying.
Get Your Car Wrapped
If you’re looking for a way to change the overall appearance of your car, consider getting it wrapped. This is a process where professionals cover the exterior with special vinyl that can be designed and added to in any number of ways. You may want to have this done if you’ve been experiencing issues with rust or other types of damage on your vehicle or if you want to change the color of your car. This is a good option for those who are looking to improve their vehicle’s appearance on a budget because it will not cost as much as some other options.
Use Rubber Mats
Rubber floor mats and other interior protection is one of the easiest ways to keep your car or truck cleaner for longer. Rubber mats help avoid trapping moisture and dirt the same as carpeted mats do. And they are easy to take out and clean between washes.
Repair All Dents and Dings
Dent repair is often a good option if you aren’t interested in changing the color of your car or getting it wrapped. If your car’s exterior has taken on some damage, it may be necessary for you to repair the dents and dings on its surface. This is something that professionals can do with relative ease using tools like body hammers or fillers.
Tint Your Windows
Most cars come with factory tinted windows but you can also choose to get them tinted aftermarket. This is a good way to protect yourself from the sun’s powerful rays and increase your privacy at the same time. The color of film that you use will depend on your preferences, though most people prefer darker colors like black or gray due to the fact that they offer the best privacy and protection from UV rays.
Drive Cautiously
You can help keep your car in good shape by being a conservative driver in bad weather. Avoid packed or built-up snow and ice packs and even large puddles of slushy, salty water. This will reduce damage to the undercarriage as well as avoid encountering unseen debris like rocks and branches.
Be sure to park judiciously as well. It’s best to park inside a garage or under a carport in the winter (and not just to avoid snow build-up). If this is not possible, avoid parking underneath trees with branches and icicles that may fall. And take note of snow plowing patterns and avoid parking in areas where the plow will blow road salt or ice onto your vehicle.
If you want to get your car looking its very best, consider using these tips for improving its appearance over time. These protective measures often don’t take a lot of time, but they could mean forming some new habits about driving and being aware of your car’s condition. These new habits will help ensure that you protect your investment and can rely on your vehicle to get you where you need to go no matter what season it is. With so many options available, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a more attractive vehicle within just a few weeks or months.
