Are You Protecting Your Car’s Paintwork?

The paint on a vehicle has a tough job to do, constantly battling the elements all whilst trying to maintain a glossy finish. Routine washing, waxing, buffing, polishing and ceramic coating are all required to keep your car in pristine condition. But where do you start? Luckily the Jim’s Car Detailing specialists are here to help keep it all simple.

Ignoring little creatures

Bird droppings are unsightly on your car, and hard to avoid. But did you know that their presence on your car is corrosive to the paint? Time is of the essence here, the longer corrosive substances are allowed to work on the paint, the greater the damage can become.

Such damage is irreversible and has to be repaired professionally. Our tip is to wash bird droppings off as soon as possible with a soft cloth, water and a mild detergent.

The same goes for insects. A specialised insect remover will stop the insect remains sticking to the automotive paint and they can then simply be wiped away when the vehicle is washed.

Neglecting your paint

We all know car washing is important in keeping our vehicles appearance clean, but regular washing is also the best thing we can do to protect our paintwork also.

If the car paint is looked after properly, it will also be more resistant generally to external influences. This means expensive repairs with car spray paint or touch up paint can be reduced significantly.

How often you should wash your car depends on the type of car and how you use and store it, however frequent washing does no harm.

Achieving the perfect wash

Some automatic car washes have brushes, and some have cloths. One type is not inherently better than the other, however its worth considering whether the brushes of cloths have been made dirty prior to your use. Sand, dirt, and other abrasive materials can get stuck in the brushes/cloths, damaging your paintwork.

For this reason, a two-step hand wash will always be the best option. The important thing here is to use mild cleaning agents with a low PH value, as well as soft, clean sponges, brushes, and cloths.

And should you follow the wash with a wax? Definitely! The wax seals the topcoat of the car paint and thus protects it against external influences.

How often to do a wax treatment?

The expert’s rule of thumb is that as long as rainwater drips off the car paint normally, there is no need for any fresh waxing.

However, the weather is also a big factor. If you keep your car in a garage, you protect the wax coat for longer than you would under a carport or out in the open. To be safe, we recommend applying wax twice a year, once in spring and again just before winter.

Back on the road, shining brightly

If your car’s paint is no longer as shiny as it was when you took it out of the showroom, or you can see light scratches along the paintwork, it might be time for a polish.

 Car polish contains micro-fine abrasives. They gently clean the paint surface without damaging it. The polish simultaneously preserves the freshened paint and protects it against the weather.

Matt paint is a special case

Matt paints need to be cared for in t totally different way.

For example, polishing is a no-no, and this is because the abrasive in polish removes a matt paint’s distinctive rough surface. Over the long term, the brushes of the car wash can have a smoothing effect, and wax sealants damage matt paint also.

For these reasons, we strongly recommend washing by hand or pressure washer, with specialised cleaning and care products.

Don’t know where to start?

Call the Jim’s Car Detailing Specialists on 0800 454 654 to discuss what care is required for your vehicle.