For automotive enthusiasts, owning a vehicle is a reflection of their passion and personality. However, over time and with exposure to the elements, the finish of a vehicle can start to look dull and tired. Restoring your vehicle’s paint can be a deeply satisfying project—these five tips will help you bring it back to life.
1. Understand Paint Damage
Before you start restoring your vehicle’s paint, you need to understand what kind of damage you’re dealing with. Here are a few common causes:
- Scratches and swirl marks: These are common, and they can be caused by anything from washing your vehicle with a dirty sponge to brushing against bushes.
- Oxidation: Oxidation occurs when the paint’s protective clear coat breaks down due to prolonged exposure to the sun and weather.
- Fading: Fading typically happens over time as UV rays from the sun break down the paint’s pigments. This is especially common in areas with harsh sunlight.
Identifying the type of damage will help you choose the right approach and products for restoration.
2. Use Cleaners and Pretreatments
Using cleaners and pretreatments on your vehicle’s paint effectively removes dirt, grime, and contaminants, which can otherwise lead to scratches, swirls, and dullness over time. Pretreatments create a barrier that enhances the effectiveness of wax or sealant applications, offering an extra layer of protection against environmental elements such as UV rays, bird droppings, and acid rain. Regular use of these products maintains the shine and integrity of your vehicle’s paint, making it a key step to take before applying the treatment.
3. Select a Quality Paint Coating
When you’re choosing a performance coating for your vehicle, it’s important to consider both the aesthetic appeal and the type of protection the coating offers. Performance coatings come in various formulations, each designed to address specific needs, such as enhanced resistance to UV rays, improved scratch resistance, or better hydrophobic properties. Ultimately, considering both functionality and aesthetics when you’re selecting a performance coating ensures that your vehicle looks great and is also well-protected against the elements.
4. Properly Apply the Paint Coating
Shake the bottle of performance paint coating before use. If the product comes with an applicator, make sure it’s clean. Working in small sections, spread the coating evenly over the surface in a crosshatch pattern, left to right and then up and down. Finally, allow the coating to “flash,” or slightly haze; this can take between 1 and 5 minutes, depending on the product used and the environmental conditions.
5. Allow the Coating to Cure
Allow the coating to cure per the manufacturer’s recommendations, usually for a period of 24 hours, without any exposure to water. For the coating to fully harden and achieve maximum durability, avoid washing the vehicle or exposing it to harsh elements for the next 7 days. Regularly inspect the coated surface for any contaminants or damage. Reapply a maintenance booster if the coating manufacturer recommends it to extend the lifespan of the performance finish.
A Finish You’ll Be Proud OF
Restoring your vehicle’s paint is an art that can bring immense satisfaction and pride. Remember, the effort you put into your vehicle will pay off in the long run, in terms of both aesthetics and resale value.
No matter what type of vehicle you have, DuraCoat performance paint will enhance the durability of the finish, giving it that extra touch that any enthusiast can be proud of.