There are multitudes of products on the market today, designed and marketed to bring back the original color, shine and luster to your new car’s finish.  All it takes is time, some wishful thinking, and a credit card number.  While many of these products may or may not work, there is a simpler solution:  maintain the finish your car started off with, instead of trying to restore it after its already gone.

Your new car needs some TLC to keep it looking that way.  While not suggesting that we get ridiculous with the cleaning and polishing products and procedures, some preventative care, such as a weekly car wash, will do wonders to maintain the finish on your vehicle.

Acid Rain

While not at levels that will burn the skin, the simple fact is that the current pH of rainwater is acidic, therefore causing damage to the surface of your vehicle on a chemical level.  Again, a weekly car wash will prevent the acid from remaining on your car paint surface for lengths of time that will cause breakdown of the finish.  On a bi-monthly basis, applying a coat of polish will also prevent sun damage, as well as providing a resilient layer on the paint finish which will protect it from all of the elements, including road salt and tar.

Tires and Vinyl

Your tires and the interior vinyl surfaces of the car need protection from drying and sun damage.  Using an Armor-All type spray product, with a sunblock factor in it, will keep the tires and dash not only looking good, but will also protect them from drying, color fading and surface cracking.

Keep it Garaged

If at all possible, keep your new car in a garage or carport.  Not only will it be protected from the direct impact of sun and acid rain, but will also be less impacted by sever temperature fluctuations that occur when dumped with snow.  If garaging your vehicle is an impossibility, a double sided tarp, made to fit your vehicle, will provide a good level of protection.  Be sure the tarp cover is double sided, so there is not a rough canvas surface touching the finish on your vehicle.  The damaging effects of canvas being wind whipped repeatedly on the paint surface can completely defeat the purpose of attempting to protect the car finish from the elements.

If you take the minimal amount of time and expense required to keep your new car looking new, you’ll find that you have little need for miracle surface defect cures and expensive clearcoat treatments.