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How to stop your paintwork from fading

For a lot of people, their car is their pride and joy. It’s because of this that people take a lot of time and effort in making sure that their car is always looking its best, from keeping it freshly waxed to making sure that the inside is always spotless.

Surviving the elements

However, sometimes the natural elements can work against your efforts to keep your car in tip-top condition. One of the biggest factors that can impact the appearance of your car is faded paintwork.

Faded paintwork is caused by lots of different things. One of the main factors is UV rays, typically sunlight, although fading can also be caused by pollutants and other types of chemical residue lying on the surface of the car, as well as bird droppings and salt coming into contact with the paint.

Protecting your paint

It can be tempting to keep your car scrupulously clean in a bid to keep it looking fresh, but beware of harsh, abrasive cleaners – these can actually do more damage to your paintwork than you may realise, and can cause the paint to fade even faster.

Unfortunately, time will naturally have an effect on the way that your car exterior looks. That doesn’t mean that you have to just let nature take its toll, though. Here are some top tips to help keep your paintwork looking brand-spanking new for as long as possible:

  • Park in the shade – UV rays and sunlight are some of the biggest causes of paintwork on a car fading, but there are some easy ways to remedy this. Where possible, try to keep your car out of direct sunlight, and park in the shade when you can. If you have no choice but to regularly park in exposed areas, consider investing in a car cover to keep your paintwork looking professional.
  • Keep it clean – Although using abrasive chemicals is bad, keeping your car clean is still really important. Many people recommend washing your car every one to two weeks, although this should be upped if your car comes into contact with chemicals on the road more often.
  • Invest in a good wax – Unlike some other car care methods, waxing doesn’t strip your car of any of its natural layers, so is a great way to keep the exterior looking fresh. The waxy layer it provides adds a protective element to the paint, and can help alleviate a lot of paint-fading effects.

When it comes to looking after your paintwork it’s easier to prevent damage than repair it, so getting on board with some of these tips from the get-go is a great way to keep your car looking good for years to come. Get out the bucket and sponge, invest in a decent car wax and make sure that you give it the attention it deserves. Want to give your car a treat? Book in a car fresh valet service to keep it looking tip-top.