fixing up an ugly, beat up car

Washing your car is one of the more routine tasks that you will need to do to maintain its appearance. Unfortunately, it can be easy for some individuals to make simple oversights when washing their cars that can lead to some avoidable problems and body damages. To help you minimize these risks, you should use the following two tips the next time you wash your car.

Inspect The Paint For Scratches And Chips After Washing

It is a fact of life that flying road debris can be a source of serious scratches for your car. Unfortunately, these scratches can severely degrade the appearance of your car's paint, and they may make the vehicle more prone to suffering corrosion in the future. For this reason, you should carefully inspect the car's exterior for any signs of chips or scratches in the paint immediately after you have washed the car. This step should always be done after you have washed the car because it will be easier for you to see these damages.

When these issues are found, you will want to use a paint repair kit to patch the damage. These kits often include a special sealant that can be applied to prevent the metal beneath the paint or corroding, and there will usually be a set of paints that can be mixed to match your car's current color. While this may sound complicated, it can be essential for preventing your car's exterior from developing severe corrosion as a result of these minor scratches.

Avoid Scuffing The Paint When Drying The Car

Drying the car is important for preventing soap and water spots from forming on it. However, if you use a basic cotton cloth or towel for this task, you may inadvertently be scuffing the paint. When a car's paint becomes severely scuffed, completely repairing the vehicle may be the best option for restoring the car's appearance. However, there are some simple steps that you can take to avoid this type of damage.

A leaf blower can be an excellent option for drying a car without having to risk scratching the paint. These devices can emit a powerful jet of air that will be able to rapidly dry the vehicle after you have washed it. However, if you do not have a leaf blower, you may need to invest in microfiber cloths. These cloths are soft enough to be able to dry a car's exterior without posing a significant risk to the paint. For more information, contact a company like Rocky Mountain Collision of Sandy.