Let's look at some practices and products that will keep your new car new.
Regular and Proper Washing It's a no brainer that you should wash your car regularly.
Dirt and grime can fade paint and cause body damage over time, not to mention that a car doesn't look it's best when dirty.
Wash it regularly by hand if possible, taking car to follow proper car washing techniques and using appropriate tools.
If you can't wash your car by hand, make sure to take it to a quality hand wash facility.
Floor Mats Most new cars include basic floor mats.
These mats are usually carpeted and match the interior of your car.
Some of these are high quality, some may not be.
Either way, if you have any interest in going on outdoor or potentially messy excursions in your car, or if you live in a wet environment, High quality all weather floor mats are a great investment.
They'll keep your floors stain free and will add a lot of life to your carpet.
Cargo Liners Much in the same vein as floor mats,cargo liners protect your storage space from dirt, damage and wear.
For SUVs or "Crossover" vehicles, heavy duty cargo liners are a must.
If you haul things in your trunk regularly, then this is an option you may want to seriously consider.
For those that don't use their trunk, this is an option you can reasonably skip, but it's still a nice thing to have in the event that you need to carry something dirty or jagged.
Bug Deflectors & Hood Masks Bug deflectors are pieces of plastic that attach to the frontmost part of your hood and work to protect your hood from bugs and small rocks.
Similarly, hood masks (or "Car Bras") are cloth protectors that fit onto the hood of your vehicle and protect it from the same sorts of threats.
I owned a used Toyota Corolla that I bought with some slight body damage and interior damage.
I didn't take any precautions to protect the car from further damage, and after commuting daily for a few years, my hood was riddled with scars from rocks and flying debris.
Had I purchased this car new, this damage would have been heartbreaking.
Car Covers The ultimate in car care, car covers completely cover your vehicle and protect it from most elements.
Depending on the quality of your car cover, you could potentially protect a cars finish for years by covering it when it's parked for long periods.
For the new car owner who is dedicated to protecting their investment, a car cover will be the best purchase one can make.
Avoid Sun Damage You wouldn't sit in the sun for hours without sunblock.
The harmful UV rays would burn most peoples skin severely.
Those same UV rays can do the same severe damage to your car's paint over time.
Most parking spaces are outdoors, so you aren't going to be able to protect your car from the sun all of the time.
The only way to minimize this type of damage is by parking in a garage or using a car cover.
Wax on, Wax Off Waxing is a highly debated topic with hundreds of products that promise you an easier, faster and longer lasting wax.
The purpose of wax is to add a water resistant layer between your body paint and the outside world.
Our advice on waxing: Take your time, don't look for a short cut, and wax whenever you notice that water no longer beads on your car's paint.
In the end, your car is going to experience wear and tear.
Some things are just unavoidable.
Unless you bought your car as a decoration for your garage, you'll need to come to terms with the inevitable.
However, these steps and products can help you keep your car looking newer for longer.
Maybe you want to keep your car for as long as possible, or maybe you intend on trading it or selling it, maintaining the appearance of the car will help you enjoy it longer or sell it for more.
Regular and Proper Washing It's a no brainer that you should wash your car regularly.
Dirt and grime can fade paint and cause body damage over time, not to mention that a car doesn't look it's best when dirty.
Wash it regularly by hand if possible, taking car to follow proper car washing techniques and using appropriate tools.
If you can't wash your car by hand, make sure to take it to a quality hand wash facility.
Floor Mats Most new cars include basic floor mats.
These mats are usually carpeted and match the interior of your car.
Some of these are high quality, some may not be.
Either way, if you have any interest in going on outdoor or potentially messy excursions in your car, or if you live in a wet environment, High quality all weather floor mats are a great investment.
They'll keep your floors stain free and will add a lot of life to your carpet.
Cargo Liners Much in the same vein as floor mats,cargo liners protect your storage space from dirt, damage and wear.
For SUVs or "Crossover" vehicles, heavy duty cargo liners are a must.
If you haul things in your trunk regularly, then this is an option you may want to seriously consider.
For those that don't use their trunk, this is an option you can reasonably skip, but it's still a nice thing to have in the event that you need to carry something dirty or jagged.
Bug Deflectors & Hood Masks Bug deflectors are pieces of plastic that attach to the frontmost part of your hood and work to protect your hood from bugs and small rocks.
Similarly, hood masks (or "Car Bras") are cloth protectors that fit onto the hood of your vehicle and protect it from the same sorts of threats.
I owned a used Toyota Corolla that I bought with some slight body damage and interior damage.
I didn't take any precautions to protect the car from further damage, and after commuting daily for a few years, my hood was riddled with scars from rocks and flying debris.
Had I purchased this car new, this damage would have been heartbreaking.
Car Covers The ultimate in car care, car covers completely cover your vehicle and protect it from most elements.
Depending on the quality of your car cover, you could potentially protect a cars finish for years by covering it when it's parked for long periods.
For the new car owner who is dedicated to protecting their investment, a car cover will be the best purchase one can make.
Avoid Sun Damage You wouldn't sit in the sun for hours without sunblock.
The harmful UV rays would burn most peoples skin severely.
Those same UV rays can do the same severe damage to your car's paint over time.
Most parking spaces are outdoors, so you aren't going to be able to protect your car from the sun all of the time.
The only way to minimize this type of damage is by parking in a garage or using a car cover.
Wax on, Wax Off Waxing is a highly debated topic with hundreds of products that promise you an easier, faster and longer lasting wax.
The purpose of wax is to add a water resistant layer between your body paint and the outside world.
Our advice on waxing: Take your time, don't look for a short cut, and wax whenever you notice that water no longer beads on your car's paint.
In the end, your car is going to experience wear and tear.
Some things are just unavoidable.
Unless you bought your car as a decoration for your garage, you'll need to come to terms with the inevitable.
However, these steps and products can help you keep your car looking newer for longer.
Maybe you want to keep your car for as long as possible, or maybe you intend on trading it or selling it, maintaining the appearance of the car will help you enjoy it longer or sell it for more.
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