5 Tips to Keep Your Vehicle Looking its Best

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Telesis

Keeping your car well maintained inside and out will not only increase your pride of ownership, it will help garner a better resale price down the road.

Keep it Clean
Though it may seem obvious, a simple car wash every few weeks is a great way to keep up with the appearance of your vehicle and keep your auto body paint in good condition. Paint does more than make your car look good; it protects the materials underneath, so wash your car regularly. In most cases, washing your car once a month is adequate. Once every two weeks is better and necessary if the car is subject to harsh conditions. Ultimately, keeping the exterior of your car clean not only makes your car look nicer and keeps it looking newer, it also protects it from real damage that can be done over time.

Avoid the DIY Car Wash
Did you know that washing a car at home uses five to 20 times more water than a professional car wash? You also aren’t doing your car any favors: A recent study at the University of Texas noted that a single DIY wash can leave scratches as deep as a tenth of the paint’s total thickness. In addition home car washing releases contaminated water directly into the environment or into storm drains intended for rainwater. This causes pollution in our rivers, lakes and streams.

Rub It Down
Cleaning and conditioning your dash, doors, and seats will extend their lives. When it comes to selling your vehicle, well-maintained leather is a significant plus. Try to clean your car interior every 6 to 8 weeks and condition four times annually. A good leather conditioner will moisturize your leather, reduce fading, and introduce UV protection that will help your leather stand up against the sun. If you don’t have leather in your car you should still clean and condition the vinyl on your dash, console, and door panels. Although you may think cleaning your car’s interior is a bit of work, you’ll be satisfied with the results. Once you start cleaning your car’s interior on a regular basis, the easier and more routine it will become.

Don’t Forget the Tires (and trim)
When tires appear dry and faded they make your whole car look worn. One of the simplest, and often overlooked, ways to keep your car looking new is to condition its tires. Apply a coat of tire conditioner after each car wash and your tires will have a rich black luster, and help keep that new car look. Don’t forget to take care of your car’s plastic and rubber trim. Before it starts looking faded and grey, apply a little plastic or rubber sealant on your trim, blacken it up, and your whole car gets a refreshed look.

Stay Out of the Elements
If at all possible, store your car in a garage or covered area. A car that is constantly exposed to sunlight and other environmental hazards (like wind, rain and snow) will deteriorate quicker and require significantly more cosmetic attention. If you don’t have a garage, you may want to invest in a cover to protect your vehicle from all the dangers of the outside environment.