Your car is not just a means to get to places. It is a lifetime investment for most, and every individual with a new car wants to keep it looking as good as new. This doesn’t just boost its resale value but also makes you look polished every time you drive it!
If you’re concerned about maintaining your car’s aesthetic appeal, here are certain care tips to ensure it!
1. Wash the Car Exterior Regularly
When kept in the open, layers of dust, dirt, and bird droppings accumulate on your car’s exterior, making it appear unkempt and old. This is because these elements can wear off the car paint faster and make it rust.
The best way to make your car look as good as new is to wash it regularly. It ensures the car’s paint always shines, no matter how old it is.
Start by washing off all debris from the body with plain water. Then, lather it up with a car-specific shampoo and gently rub it with a sponge. Make sure you go in straight lines only.
After it’s cleaned, keep wiping your car with a fresh, dry microfiber cloth until it dries off. Never let it air-dry, or you will get water stains.
2. Pay Equal Attention to the Interior
Unlike the exterior, regularly cleaning the interior with water is not a viable choice. Even if you live in an arid zone and the water dries out soon, it still won’t clean the interiors well.
Consider using a high-quality car steam cleaner, especially for cloth and synthetic seats, carpets, upholstery, floor mats, cup holders, storage, and door panels. From dirt stains to stubborn dust, it will clean it all.
However, make sure you dust off any visible, chunky debris and slightly clean with a cloth dampened in light detergent before doing this. It will prevent your steam cleaner from working extra, ensuring it lasts longer. Plus, it loosens up some dirt.
Steam cleaning is also eco-friendly as it saves water, needs fewer cleaning agents, and deep cleans effectively. Above all, it effectively kills all germs, promoting a healthy and de-contaminated environment inside your car.
In the end,
A word of caution: Keep the steam away from electrical parts and air vents of the car.
3. Never Park Under the Sun
The sun’s UV rays can fade your car’s paint, making it look worn out and old. Excess heat can also deteriorate the leather components inside the car. This causes them to become dry and crack with time. So, avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged durations.
The levels of UV radiation are steadily rising worldwide. It shows that your car is more vulnerable to sunlight, and you need to be extra cautious. Try to park your car in the garage or under a shaded space if available. If not, you can also get a high quality car cover.
4. Get Extra Protection for the Interior
Cleaning the interior or parking in the shade isn’t enough to keep your car looking brand new. You should switch to additional protection measures, such as placing seat covers and using clean floor mats to prevent stains.
If there are leather components, condition them regularly to prevent cracks and creases. Switch to a car sunshade to protect the dashboard and seats when you can’t find a shaded parking space.
5. Wipe the Engine Exteriors
Open your car’s hood and wipe the exterior surface of the engine and the entire surface under the hood. Make sure you use a specially formulated cleaner for the car. Do this at least once a year to make your car look as good as new.
6. Often Check the tyres
One of the most important parts of your car are the tyres. So, check the tyre pressure regularly. It’s ideal for inflating tyres once every two weeks to keep them in prime condition, ensure safe driving, and save fuel!
You should also clean the tyres with a wheel cleaner, lightly scrub them with a soft brush, and apply tyre shine to keep them shiny.
7. Carry a Cleaning Kit
Keep a portable and compact cleaning kit in the glove compartment or the trunk. If there’s a bird dropping, heavy dust or mud deposition on the windshield, or dirt inside, you can swiftly clean your car without any delay.
8. Take Care of Chips Fast
Small scratches can cause more paint damage and rusting. So, touch up with paint and clear coat immediately. If it’s major damage, get it professionally repaired ASAP to maintain that new look!
Conclusion
Besides these, don’t forget to switch different car parts at recommended intervals. Be regular with your car cleaning and maintenance routine, and your car will look as good as new!
