How to Prevent Paint Damage on Your Vehicle

Nothing ruins a new car like paint damage. Whether its small chips caused by that gravel truck you were stuck behind on Highway 1 on your way back from camping, or slow forming rust from parking under a cherry tree every day at the office; paint damage can do a real number on not only the appearance of your vehicle, but it’s value. Especially if you’ve been considering selling your used car, truck, SUV or van, and the first thing people see is damage, even if it’s just paint damage.

For buyers, it’s never a good indication of things to come when the very first thing they see on the vehicle they’re considering buying is damage. That’s why we’ve composed this list of the most commonly cause forms of paint damage, and how to prevent it.

Various Causes of Car Paint Damage

1. Dents

Nothing is more noticeable than dents and dings all over your vehicle, except for maybe dents and dings that are starting to form rust in them. You then have two cosmetic problems with your vehicle, which can make selling your car pretty difficult. It may directly suggest that there are other problems with the vehicle that a buyer should be cautious about, but it certainly suggests the possibility.

2. Gasoline/Diesel

We’ve all done it; spilled a bit of gasoline on your car as we pull the pump nozzle out of the filling hole. But, did you know that if you fail to wipe it up properly, meaning using more than just a paper towel, that those couple of drips of gas can actually corrode your paint quite quickly? Especially during the summer months when weather is hot and dry. Plus, wiping it with a dry towel, even a paper one, is only spreading the spill to a larger area.

If you spill gas on your vehicle while filling up, take a moment to use the squeegee that most gas stations provide, and wipe the gasoline up with that BEFORE the paper towel. This way you’re not just dry wiping the gas onto your paint job, you’re actually washing it away before you dry it. This will help keep your paint job looking newer longer.

3. Tree Sap, Tree Debris, Leaves, and Flower Petals

It’s easy to want to park in the shade on a hot day in the middle of August but beware of where you find your shade. Parking under trees that are covered with flower petals, like the many beautiful cherry blossom trees of Metro Vancouver, can promote paint damage to your car. The same goes for parking under trees whose leaves fall off every autumn. Maybe you’re saving an extra 5-minute walk around downtown Vancouver to the office by parking under that chestnut tree, but when the leaves are falling along with things like the chestnuts, you’re asking for trouble. Dings caused by tree debris are still dings, and dings produce rust and damage if not taken care of right away. Don’t created an autobody shop bill for yourself by being careless about where you park if you have to park your vehicle outside.

4. Beverages

You may think that this one sounds a bit silly, but it happens more often than you might think. Think about it; how many times have you left your coffee cup on the roof of your car while loading articles into your vehicle? Only to drive away shortly after, without removing your cup? We’ve all done it, it happens. The bad part is that spilling any kind of beverage on your vehicle can also cause paint damage. Particularly if it’s caffeinated or carbonated, and if it’s an above average day temperature wise. Again, if this happens, take the time to hit up your local gas station and squeegee the liquid off your roof or anywhere else that was hit. It only takes a second, and it saves hundreds of dollars on a new paint job.

5. Water

Wait, what? Water can damage my paint??? But I live in Raincouver! Yep, that’s right, water can cause your paint to lose its luster and even form rust. But we’re not talking just any water, we mean repeated exposure to the elements. Such as parking your car outside daily without being under a covered area. Or using the hardest setting on the hose at the local carwash every time you wash your vehicle. Even something as simple as parking new automated sprinklers on a regular basis can cause your car’s paint to look less than ideal. Nothing is a bigger headache than trying to sell your vehicle when it’s in perfect condition under the hood and inside the car, but potential buyers keep wanting to lowball you because of the condition of the paint.

6. Vandalism

This specific cause of paint damage isn’t a very common one amongst BC residents, but it does happen on occasion. Nothing can ruin a paint job faster than, well, paint! Having your vehicle spray painted because of a vandal is infuriating, but it’s not the worst that can happen from a careless person with nothing better to do with their time. Even small disagreements can cause the occurrence of vandalism, like someone keying your car while you’re in the mall simply because you took their parking spot. Or someone dumping solvent on your vehicle because of an unneighbourly disagreement. It takes all kinds of people to make up the world, but some have anger issues that can lead to destruction of property, including your car.

How to Keep Your Paint Job in Top Condition

If you want to keep your car looking like new, even if it’s not, the best way to do that is to park inside as much as possible. If you’ve got a garage, use it more for parking your vehicles and less for storage of inexpensive things. If you’re desperate for storage, considering renting a public storage unit so that your most expensive investment (next to your home) is protected on a regular basis.

Another way to help protect the life of your vehicle’s paint job is to wash your vehicle regularly. Don’t leave it covered in mud, dirt, or leaves for any period of time. Even things like bird droppings can cause dulling of your paint, if not damaged with the removal of it. This is why washing your cars regularly can make a world of difference to the shine and luster or your vehicle’s paint. Just a quick rinse with a garden hose is enough to help preserve the paint job. In addition to washing your vehicle, a great way to promote the longevity of your paint is by applying a coat of wax. A little goes a long way, and it doesn’t have to be perfect, but the simple application of car wax will extend the life of your car’s paint job by up to 90%.

Selling Your Car in the Lower Mainland

If you’ve been thinking about selling your used car, truck, SUV, or van, think Cash For Cars BC. We are the top cash paying used car buyer in all of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. We buy vehicle from $100 – $100,00+, even vehicles with extensive paint damage! Don’t waste your time hunting online for the best local used car buyer in Vancouver, you’ve already found it with Cash For Cars BC!

We provide in-person appraisals, we come to you, we handle all of the paperwork, and NOBODY pays more cash for cars than we do! Contact our team of used car buyers today to find out why more people choose our used car buying services over any other.