“Looks like new! I would
have never guessed that car was eight years old."
That is what we owners
want to hear, but keeping our cars looking like the late models is tough, even
with today’s long-lasting finishes.
Serious rust damage, including a puncture right through the metal, can begin with a minor scratch in
a parking lot from a shopping cart. Steel is strong and lasts a lifetime when
it’s protected, but when that protection is invaded, the metal is exposed to
the elements. That’s when rust begins its invasion."
Cover paint chips as
quickly as possible. For a quick fix until you can get some touchup supplies,
dab a little clear nail polish on the scratch. Touchup paint can be found for
virtually every vehicle ever built, including antiques. These days paint shades
are made on the spot using computer software.
Also available are scratch
repair kits including everything needed from preparation to finishing a deep scratch.
They are all Do It Yourself(DIY) kits easy to do at home. It saves the expense
of going to a garage.
Small dents can be fixed
with paint less dent repair, a service easily available in every garage and
service center.
Like so many aspects of
car care, preventive maintenance is much easier and beneficial than corrective
measures. Maintaining the original integrity of the finish keeps the vehicle in
"like new" condition. The basic rules of body and paint maintenance
apply:
Avoid parking in the hot
sun; it can damage interior surfaces as well as the exterior. Wash the vehicle
frequently, including areas underneath, with mild, safe products. Select and
use cleaners and waxes carefully. A cleaner that is effective for one type of
finish could be disastrous for another. Consult the vehicle owner’s manual to
be sure.
Try
to spend at least 10 to 15 min in a weekend with your car. Do a visual
inspection check for any scratch, dent, stain etc and attend to it as soon as
possible.