Do you have a shiny new car that you want to keep in premium condition?
Maintaining a car is important, not only for its longevity on the road but for its looks and resale value as well. If you want to keep your vehicle in showroom shape, then you’ve got to make sure you’re doing regular preventative maintenance.
In this post, we’re going to give you a car maintenance checklist. Follow these 4 tips and you’ll keep your car in amazing shape, just like the pros do.
1. Hand Wash Only
It goes without saying that you need to wash your car on a regular basis. Whenever you notice a bit of grime or bird droppings accumulating on any part of your car, it’s time to take it into a professional car wash.
What you shouldn’t do, however, is take it to an automated car wash. They may make life a lot easier when it comes to cleaning your car, but it can be extremely hard on the body of the vehicle if this is how you wash your car every time.
Instead, take your car into a coin car wash that allows you to spray and scrub it yourself, or if you really want to be careful, get the necessary equipment and hand wash it at home.
2. Wax/Polish Regularly
Waxing your car isn’t valued in the same way as a regular wash is, but if you really want it to maintain a showroom look, then waxing and polishing are integral. Waxing gives your car’s paintwork a protective coating, making it easier to avoid chipping and actually filling in some of the little chips that have already occurred.
Wax will lose its luster over time, so try to go in for waxing once or twice per year – at the beginning of summer and again at the beginning of winter – to keep that finish looking great.
3. Drive and Park Smart
There’s the maintenance part of keeping your car looking great and then there’s the driving aspect. If you’re not careful with your car while you’re using it, then it’s going to be that much harder to keep it in good shape.
For instance, if you tailgate the vehicles in front of you, debris is going to keep getting kicked up and thrashing your car. If this is happening every time you drive, it’s going to have a noticeable effect on the body.
Parking in the right spots is important. Of course, in busy parking lots, staying as far away from other drivers as possible to avoid errant doors opening and hitting your car is important. Consider also the results of parking beneath a tree or the effect that long-term sun exposure has on your paint job; if you’ve got a garage, then use it.
4. Transform the Vehicle
One way to keep your car in showroom shape isn’t to maintain it in its current condition, it’s to overhaul it and turn it into something completely unique. Car customization is all the rage these days, so why not have a little fun and boost the resale value of your car with some customizations of your own?
Car Maintenance Like the Pros Do
Now that you know how to maintain your car to keep it in great shape for a long time, it’s time to get your pride and joy in showroom shape. You can never undersell how crucial car maintenance is, no matter the type or age of the vehicle. If you want your car to look good for a long time, then you need to look after it.
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