How to Maintain Your Car Paint
1. Avoid Sun Exposure
The most important aspect of daily car paint maintenance is to park your car in a garage whenever possible. This avoids high temperatures and UV rays from the sun, and reduces rain exposure, effectively preventing premature aging of the paint.
2. Reduce Wear and Tear
Prevent strong impacts, bumps, and scratches on the car’s paint. If you find any scratches, dents, or peeling paint, repair them promptly, preferably at an auto detailing shop.
3. Waxing Protection
Waxing is a common paint beautification method, divided into direct waxing and polishing waxing. For most cars, direct waxing is sufficient. Be cautious when choosing polishing waxing, especially for new cars. It’s more suitable for cars that have been driven for several years and have many stains and scratches.
4. Glazing Protection
Glazing is an upgraded version of waxing. First, clean the car surface thoroughly. Then, using a soft wool pad or sponge, use a high-speed polishing machine to vibrate and rub the surface, allowing the polymer glaze to penetrate into the pores of the paint, forming a strong, mesh-like protective layer. Glazing reduces the roughness of the paint surface, minimizing friction between the paint and external elements, allowing the paint to remain clean even in harsh environments.
5. Cleaning Methods
① When washing the car body, never wipe it directly with a cloth. This is mainly because small sand particles on the car body can cause abrasion to the paint. Always wash with water first, then wipe.
② When cleaning car body trim, use a high-quality detergent. When waxing, do not rub too hard to avoid penetrating the paint layer and revealing the original texture.
③ For cleaning polished metal parts, use a carbon-based cleaner and regularly wax them for protection.
④ Do not touch the car’s paint surface with oily or dirty hands, or wipe the paint surface with an oily cloth; do not place tools with oil or wiping cloths containing organic solvents on the car body to avoid chemical reactions.
Car Paint Scratch Repair Methods
1. Shallow Scratch
Cause: Due to friction during use and improper daily maintenance, slight scratches appear on the car paint surface over time, without exposing the primer. These scratches are very noticeable in sunlight.
Repair Method: Generally, professional polishing methods can remove them.
2. Traffic Film
Cause: During driving, friction generates a strong static electricity layer. Static electricity has a strong ability to attract dust, oil, and chemical dust, forming a hard traffic film over time, which easily causes oxidation and corrosion of the paint surface.
Repair Method: Can be treated with grinding and polishing.
3. Paint Oxidation
Cause: Under the sun’s ultraviolet rays, the paint film continuously evaporates oil into the air to protect itself. Over time, this excessive loss of oil reduces the paint’s gloss and depth, causing it to gradually whiten and form an oxidation layer, shortening the paint’s lifespan. This can be observed with the naked eye as the paint becomes dull, white, and lacks shine.
Remedy: Severe oxidation can be treated with grinding and polishing.
4. Etching
Cause: Etching is a planar abrasion that can be caused by insects, bird droppings, tree sap, tar, and asphalt.
Remedy: Minor etching can be resolved with grinding and polishing.