A Clean Car is a Happy Car

Next to your home, your vehicle is likely your second biggest investment. It therefore makes sense that you should exert real effort to ensure that you are able to preserve your car’s good condition for the longest time possible.

Regular maintenance works for your car’s interior and mechanical side. But what about your car’s exterior? In other words, your car’s paint? Before going into what needs to be done, let’s try to dispel some incorrect notions about car paint first.

 

Myth # 1: Glossy finish = excellent paint job

It is true that a glossy finish is a sight to behold and does not fail to impress. It should go beyond appearance, though. It’s not enough that the paint looks shiny and glossy. It should feel smooth all over, with no rough spots that can lead to degradation and damage when constantly exposed to the harsh solar rays and other weather elements.

 

Myth # 2: Clear coat finish = no need for car wax

While having a clear coat finish can protect your car better from the sun’s harmful UV rays, it still isn’t strong enough to withstand other environmental contaminants. Clear coat finish is still paint, which means it’s still susceptible to deterioration. By reinforcing your clear coat paint with wax, you’ll be able to provide maximum protection to make your car paint last longer.

 

Myth # 3: Best car wax = 100% carnauba wax

This is hardly possible because there’s no such thing as 100% carnauba wax. Because carnauba is the hardest known natural wax, it is virtually impossible to apply pure carnauba wax to car paint. It has to be combined with other softer substances to make it spreadable. A protectant that claims it is pure carnauba actually means that a portion of the formula used to make it is pure carnauba. But that’s only a portion, and not the entire product. So there’s no 100% carnauba wax. Besides that, there are synthetic car waxes that are better and more affordable than carnauba wax.

 

Myth # 4: Dishwashing and laundry detergents = safe for car washing

Please don’t use dish soap or laundry soap! Remember that these are cleaning agents, which means their primary purpose is dirt removal. The strength of the components used to make these cleaning materials can actually be harmful to your car paint because they are capable of removing dirt and everything else, including the protective coating of your paint. It’s why there are specialized products for cars, including car cleaners. They are designed to clean your car without harming your car paint. It might be more expensive than regular household cleaners, but the added expense will be well worth the savings you get from keeping your car paint intact.

 

Myth # 5: Car waxing = not always necessary

Not true. Car wax provides more than just aesthetic benefits. Car wax helps keep your car looking good by keeping it shiny and easy to clean. At the same time, it protects your paint against nature’s elements, keeping it in good condition by shielding it from rust, corrosion, dirt, grime, and premature fading.

 

Based on these 5 common car paint myths, it should now be easy to infer what you need to do to keep your car’s paint shining.

Wash

Wash your car regularly. Use clean water, car soap, and microfiber towels. Get rid of dirt and debris as soon as you have the chance; the sooner you remove it, the easier it will be. Make sure you only use products that are specially formulated for cleaning vehicles as these are the ones that will clean without damaging your car paint.

Wax

Use high quality wax and learn how to apply it properly. And don’t just wax when you feel like it. Do it once a month, or more often depending on the driving conditions you are exposed to.

Cover

If you don’t have it yet, consider investing in clear coat paint for an added layer of protective covering. And as much as you can, always keep your car covered when parking. Whether it’s the structure itself (i.e. garage, covered parking, carport) or through a car cover, it’s always better to have something over your car to protect it from whatever can cause damage to it. That includes UV rays, hail, acid rain, animal droppings, tree sap, dirt, and all other kinds of blowing debris.

Big Sky Collision Center Fixes Cars

Is your car paint looking a little drab?  It may need more than just a wash and a wax.  Did you know that here at Big Sky Collision Center, we don’t just expertly repair vehicles in Billings, but we also will do a paint job?  We have some of the most technologically advanced painting facilities in the area where we can transform your car into a work of art.

Of course if it just needs cleaned, we do auto detailing at the most affordable prices in Billings!