Protecting Your Car From Outside Elements

As soon as you drive off the lot with your new car, Mother Nature is out to do her worst to your investment.

A host of elements—sun, rain, hail, sleet, snow, debris, dust, birds, and pollution, as well as other things—can quickly doom your new-car look. But you can fight back. How? Here are some smart ways to protect your vehicle's finish and keep it looking new.

Wash and wax. If you have a hose handy, you can do it yourself. If you don’t, you can go to the car wash. But make sure that it is a brushless car wash. You don’t want circular marks on your finish. Car wash rotating brushes will really do a number on your car’s finish, so be sure to avoid them. As far as waxing your car goes, popular brands such as Turtle Wax will do the job. Whatever brand you use, just be sure to read the directions and follow them precisely if you want the promised results.

Keep it covered. But not, of course, while driving! Even if you have a garage, a car cover will further protect your vehicle from indoor pollution and dust. You can also take a car cover with you when you shop or travel. After all, you won’t always be able to find a shady parking spot to avoid damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, and even if you do, your car could still be assaulted by bird droppings, tree sap, hail, moisture, and flying pebbles. The best car covers have more than one layer of protection. For the best fit, choose one that has mirror pockets.

Use protective accessories. Such accessories include steering wheel covers, floor mats and liners, seat covers, hood protectors, vent shades, and brake dust shields. If your furry friend is a frequent passenger, buy a pet pad or pet box to protect your interior from unexpected occurrences.

Use cleaning products correctly. Read the labels before you buy and then again before you try them on your car! One cleaner may work great for cleaning your tires but would damage the vinyl on the dashboard. Another product may be just right for brushed aluminum or your burl wood interior. Check the manufacturer's recommendations to make sure that you use the right product for each part of your car. Some cars come with a supply of cleaning products and materials to help you get off to a good start.