According to Consumer Reports, the average age of all cars on the road has increased from 8.4 years in 1995 to more than 11 years today. This increase is because cars are being built to last longer. It also helps that owners are keeping their vehicles maintained properly. However, some owners may be failing to protect their car’s paint in the right ways.
If you have a new car, we know how frustrating if can be to have your paint ruined.
Having your paint repaired at a shop ca be an even bigger headache.
Your worries can stop here!
We discuss the top ways you can protect your car’s paint from the sun, tree sap, bird droppings, and other external elements your vehicle might encounter.
How to Protect Car Paint?
If you drive your car regularly, common road hazards can negatively impact your car’s finish and lower its resale value. However, there are several things you can do to protect your car’s paint, as discussed below:
Protecting it From the Sun
You probably know that ultraviolet (UV) rays can be harmful to your eyes and skin, but you may not know that they can also affect the paint on your car. Exposure to the sun over time can cause your paint to fade and lose its shine. Having a dull-looking paint job hurts your car’s resale value. There are ways to protect car paint from fading.
Three Ways to Protect Your Car From UV Rays:
- Park Your Car in a Garage: Park your vehicle inside a garage or other covered structure.
- Use a Car Cover: The next best thing would be to use a car cover, especially if you will be leaving your car outside in the sun for days at a time.
- Install a Paint Protection Film: A clear layer of paint protection film, such as Rayno Creed, can help prevent UV rays from damaging your paint.
Preventing Damage from Rock Chips
The rocks, garbage, and scraps on the road not only affect the environment but your car’s paint, too. And if a car is in front of you, good luck dodging everything that its wheels might kick up. An effective way of protecting against rock chips is to use a tailored car bra. It also helps to keep extra distance between you and other cars to avoid road debris generated by their tires.
Be Aware of Where You Drive
It’s a good idea to avoid dusty and rocky roads as much as possible. Another good way to protect your car’s paint from rock chips is to install a paint protection film, such as Rayno Creed.
Wondering about preventing hail damage? This article explains how to protect your car from hail.
Save Your Paint from Tree Sap
The best way to protect your car’s finish from tree sap is not to park under trees that generate a lot of sap.
Avoid parking under these trees that generate the most sap:
- Maple Trees
- Elm Trees
- Birch Trees
However, if you have to park under a tree, you can protect your car with a car cover. Paint protection film can act as a second layer, or “skin,” that stops the bird-dropping acid from eating up the clear coat.
Help prevent sap by properly maintaining and protecting them. Trees protect themselves from bacterial infections and fungi with their sap. Prune your trees to help prevent bacterial infections and fungi from forming. Properly pruned trees do not produce as much sap. Happy trees equal happy cars!
Removing Tree Sap from Your Car
If you do get tree sap on your car, you must remove it as soon as possible. When the sap is fresh, it is easy to remove with car soap and warm water. Hot water is sometimes required. For stubborn sap, you may need a product that is specifically designed to dissolve and remove sap. Just keep in mind that the sap will eventually bake itself into the paint and cause unsightly stains if you leave it on the surface of your car for too long.
Special Car Detailing Tip: Since speed is critical, keep a car detailing spray in your trunk. When you see fresh sap, use your detailer and gently wipe the sap away with a microfiber towel.
Protect Your Paint Job from Bird Droppings
In a similar manner to protecting your car against the sun and tree sap, the best protection from bird droppings is to park your car in a garage or other covered structure. If you have to park in a public place, try to avoid parking under lamps, trees, awnings, and other structures where birds are likely to land. You can also protect your car’s paint with a car cover. As discussed above, this would also help to protect your car’s paint from the sun and tree sap.
If you do get bird droppings on your car, it is essential to remove them as soon as possible. This is because bird droppings are highly acidic and can eat through the clear coat to damage your car’s paint. If the bird droppings are fresh, you can simply wash them off. Use a quality car wash soap and soft microfiber towels. Wipes are also available that are specially designed to remove bird droppings without damaging the paint. The easiest way to protect against bird droppings would be to install a quality paint protection film.
Preventing Rust
The best way to keep your car from rusting is to wash it often. Modern paint finishes are very durable and rust-resistant. By cleaning your car regularly, you can protect the paint so that it can do its job. If you discover any areas where the paint has been chipped away, you should repair it or have it repaired as soon as possible.
Paint Protection Film Is a Lifesaver
Car covers, cleaning solutions, and awareness of where you drive and park are what’s needed to protect your car. But who has the time? If you want the best and easiest way to protect your car’s paint, use a quality Paint Protection Film.
There is a recurring theme throughout this article: if you protect your car’s paint, the paint will help to protect your vehicle. This is true for protection from the sun, rock chips, tree sap, bird droppings, and rust. While we have discussed several ways to do that, none of them are as good as using a paint protection film (PPF) like Rayno Creed. This is absolutely the best way to protect your car’s paint job from external elements, slight dings, and minor scratches. Once the PPF is applied, all you need to do to protect your car’s paint is to keep it clean!
Find a shop that installs PPF by clicking here.
