Taking care of your vehicle’s paintwork

Making an effort to protect your car or vans paintwork will help to maintain its aesthetic appeal and protect the vehicle’s value long term. By properly caring for your paintwork you can prevent damage from environmental elements and keeps your car looking newer for longer.

Here is a guide from your friends at Underwoods Motoring on how to care for your vehicle’s paintwork:

Regular washing

Throughout the year try to keep your vehicle as clean as possible. By frequently washing our vehicles, we help remove dirt, grime, bird droppings (bird lime), tree sap and contaminants from the road surface that can damage the surface of the paint.

• Wash your car every 1-2 weeks, or more often if you live in an area with harsh conditions
• Choose a microfiber mitt and a pH-balanced dedicated car wash soap. Always avoid household cleaners like washing-up liquid as they will strip any protective wax or sealants from the paint
• If you drop your mitt on the floor give it a thorough clean at an alternative water source to your car wash soap. Otherwise tiny pieces of grit from the floor may cause scratches.
• Use a different mitt (or sponge) on the wheels and undercarriage
• Give your car a pre-rinse which will remove loose dirt before you start scrubbing
• Wash from top to bottom as the majority or git and contaminants are lower on the vehicle
• Dry with a microfiber towel or traditional chamois leather to prevent water spots and streaks

Polishing and Waxing

You have just spent some time cleaning your car or van and think, its Sunday, I want to put my feet up. Fair enough, but with a little more effort you could add a valuable layer of protection to your vehicle.

Polishing – By polishing your car or van you will help to restore the paint’s glossy appearance, plus it will help to remove fine scratches, those annoying swirling marks and even oxidation. It is also the best way to prepare the paint surface for the next stage of protection, namely a wax or sealant.

We recommend polishing your car or van every one to two years, as you think needed. It is possibly safer to polish by hand, but with the proper experience a machine polisher will make light work of the task. Always take care around the paint edges and around the trim. Alternatively use a professional vehicle detailer service. These guys take great pride in their work.

Wax and Sealants – When satisfied the surface to perfectly clean, the next stage begins. There are various options and we always recommend doing some research before adding any wax or sealant to your vehicle.

Wax: Car Wax is the most traditional of protective coatings and will add a layer of protection and shine. We recommend applying every two or three months. If you use a natural wax (such as carnauba) it will give a more natural shine, where as a synthetic wax will provide a longer lasting protection. Always apply it in a small section, buffing each section before it has time to dry which will avoid streaks. Always read the instructions before you start.

Sealants: A synthetic sealant will offer longer lasting protection than traditional wax, lasting approximately six to twelve months dependent upon the products specifications. Sealants will provide a much stronger layer that will effectively repel water and contaminants.

Again, a professional dedicated vehicle detailer will do an exceptional job for you.

Professionally Applied Protection – If you want to ensure the best protection, a polymer coating forms a durable layer over the paint that lasts years. It will repel water, dirt and chemicals, which also makes your car or van easier to clean. At Underwoods Motoring we offer an award-winning product called Supagard which we will apply for you. For further information click here.

Avoiding harmful elements

Certain substances can damage your car or van's paint. Here at Underwoods, we recommend you remove these as a priority!

Bird droppings (bird lime), bug splatters and tree sap especially can damage the clear coat and paint if left to dry. If you find any of these on your car, clean them off with urgency. There are specialised products available to help remove the offending marks without harm.

One simple way to avoid bird droppings and tree sap is to avoid parking under trees. Sap can be sticky and particularly hard to remove.

In winter months the roads are salted (gritted) to help us drive more safely. However, road salt is particularly damaging to your paintwork, causing rust and corrosion. By simply washing your vehicle regularly in the winter months, including a thorough rinsing of the undercarriage, you will reduce the risk of damage.

Power of the elements

If your car is exposed to strong direct sunlight, it can significantly affect your paintwork, fading paint and causing oxidation over time.

If you have a garage, use it. Nothing is better than keeping your car fully covered and contained. Alternatively use a car cover which will provide adequate protection.

Pick your parking spot. Choose to park in a shaded or covered area when possible, reducing UV exposure. 

There are also risks from rain and snow:

Rainwater, though it may seem harmless or even helping to wash the dirt off your vehicle, it could contain pollutants and contaminants from the air. Allowing rainwater to dry on your vehicle's paintwork can leave behind water spots, which can be difficult to remove, even causing permanent damage if left unchecked.

Not too sound too apocalyptic, but acid rain is a real threat to your vehicle paintwork. As rain falls through polluted air it can mix with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, forming acidic compounds. If you live in a polluted area, should acid rain make contact with your paintwork, it can cause oxidation which over time can dull the paint and cause a more worn and faded appearance.

If snow is left on your vehicle it will trap minerals, dirt and road salts on your paintwork. As snow melts and refreezes, it can also leave the same harmful minerals, causing water spot formation.

Fix scratches and chips promptly

Any small scratch or stone chip in your bodywork can turn into a more significant issue if it is not addressed promptly.

For a quick fix, use a touch-up paint for small scratches or chips. But be careful to use a paint product recommended by the manufacturer. Read instructions thoroughly and apply carefully to avoid creating noticeable patches. Underwoods Motoring Parts Department can help find a suitable products that matches your paint exactly. Click here to find your local Underwoods location.

For more significant issues we recommend taking your vehicle to your local bodywork specialist. Professional Bodyshops can be found in most town and cities and chip and scratch specialists are often found in pop spots in supermarket car parks. 

At Underwoods Motoring we have our own Bodyshop Accident Repair Centre, offering full body repairs, chip and scratch smart repairs and professional paintwork. Click here for more information.

Some other things to consider

When possible, avoid touching your vehicles paintwork with dirty or especially oily hands. Even your skin’s natural oils will leave a mark that may be difficult to remove. 

Don’t forget your interior, exterior trim and wheels. 

Along with caring for the exterior, keeping the interior of your car well maintained and presentable, your car’s trim (often black which can fade to grey) and of course ensuring your prized alloy wheels are free from contaminants and marks, will all help to maintain maximum value.

For protecting your trim, there are specialists products which will not only restore black from faded grey, but add an additional layer of protection from fading and even cracks forming.

By doing your own research and following the steps laid out above, your car or van’s paintwork will remain fresh, with a strong gloss and be well protected for years to come.

Underwoods Motoring Used Cars

When you buy a used car from Underwoods Motoring, we take great effort to ensure the paintwork is in excellent condition before you drive it away.

Click here to view our current used car stock.