Your Essential Guide
Faded paint is one of the most common issues that you will face as a car owner, and while it doesn’t have any impact on the running and safety of your vehicle, it will stop it from looking its best. So, how can you stop your car paint from fading as much as possible? Well, that starts with identifying the most common causes of the issue. Here is everything you need to know.
UV Rays
We’re not the sunniest place in the world, but did you know that even the smallest amount of exposure to UV rays can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s paint? So, cars here in the UK are at risk of this too! UV breaks paint down, especially if it isn’t the best quality or lacks proper protection. Over time, the paint will then lose its oils and become dull and chalky.
Pollution
From rain to bird droppings, the environment and your car’s paintwork isn’t always a match made in heaven. A lot of the contaminants your car comes up against in the great outdoors are often acidic or corrosive. If they are then left to sit on your car and not washed off, they will gradually eat into the surface of the paint.
Harsh Cleaning Products
Using strong detergents or abrasive cleaning tools can strip away waxes and clear coats that protect your paint. While this might not look obvious at the time, it will gradually expose the colour coat to the elements. Once this happens, the fading process will progress dramatically, leaving your car looking tired.
Poor Quality Paint
This is actually one of the biggest contributors to premature fading. Cheap car paint may look decent when first applied, but it’s often not very durable and won’t stick to the surface of your car so well. So, while you might save yourself some money when you first buy it, you could find yourself having to touch up or repaint your car entirely within a year or two.
Top Tips to Prevent Paint Fading
So, how do you stop your car paint from fading so fast? Starting off with investing in the best quality paint, you should also do the following:
- Wash and wax your car regularly
- Park it in the shade or in your garage
- If you can’t park it out of the sun, use a cover
- Use a clear coat as the final step when painting your car
- Remove any contaminants immediately
- Only use recommended tools and cleaning materials
Of course, the passage of time is something you can never outrun, and even a car that has been well taken care of will see its paint fade eventually. By taking the right precautions, though, you can delay that for as long as possible.
Your Car Will Thank You!
As you can see, there are a number of ways you can stop your car paint from fading as quickly. So, start doing as many of them as you can today!
