There are a few things you can do to keep from spending money on your vehicle’s paint coat. By doing a little research and maintenance ahead of time, you can prevent most chipped paint incidents. Doing small paint protection maintenance can prevent larger maintenance projects later.

One of the first things that you can do when you purchase your automobile is to have a clear paint coat protector applied to your vehicle. You can do this yourself or have the dealership apply it before you drive off the lot. If you choose to apply it yourself, read the directions very carefully. You want to make sure that you apply it exactly as the manufacturer recommends. 

There is some question about the effectiveness of these clear coat protectors. In the end, though, the time or money involved in applying one of these coats will pay off. They can stop any premature fading or harm to your car’s paint. The protector will wick away water, chemicals or other possible damage causing agents. This can be the first step in lengthening the life of your vehicle.

Something else you can invest in after the purchase of your vehicle is a clear film. These films are applied directly to your vehicle with an adhesive. Invisible to the eye, they are a great way to protect a new paint job and keep you from spending money on car repair. Generally, these films are applied to areas of the automobile or truck that receive the most sun, water or bug damage. Places like the front bumper; hood and roof of the vehicle need more protecting than other areas.

Finally, another habit to get into is cleaning your vehicle on a regular basis. By keeping your vehicle clean, especially during winter months, you are lengthening the life of your paint job. Salt, road dirt and mud, tar from construction sites can all damage your vehicle’s paint, causing necessary car repair.

Take your vehicle through an automated wash or wash it yourself. Either way, you need to make sure that a thorough cleaning job is done on your automobile. One of the places that often gets over looked but can cause the most damage is the underside of your vehicle. Especially during winter months, it is necessary to wash these areas. Road salt used to melt ice and snow can cause irreparable damage.

Thoroughly clean the wheel wells and under carriage of your vehicle. This will prevent premature rusting that can lead to paint chipping. When a wheel well or under carriage is left to rust, the vehicle’s metal body is weakened. This weakening in turn causes issues with the paint. Cleaning this area of your vehicle will also keep you from major car repair bills later.

By maintaining your vehicle through paint protectors and through regular washing, you can lengthen the life of your car’s paint job, preventing major car repair.