According to Automotive News, the average age of a car on the road in the U.S. today is over 11.5 years. Drivers are keeping their cars longer than ever, which helps save money. However, you must maintain the vehicle’s appearance to keep it looking respectable into its later years. In addition to visiting your local auto paint shop, here are some useful tips on preserving your car's paint job throughout its life span. 

Best Ways to Protect Your Car's Paint Job

1. Wax Your Car Regularly

Overlooked by some drivers, waxing your car does more than just give your paint job a glistening shine. It also shields the paint from the elements, fortifying it against sun, wind, and inclement weather. For optimal protection, get it waxed once every three months at your auto paint shop, including in the spring before summer and fall before winter.

2. Avoid Parking Under Trees

While keeping your car under one or several trees might shield it from sunlight and keep it cool in the summer, it also exposes the vehicle to sap, falling leaves, and acorns. While most of this natural debris can be cleaned, enough of it can result in stubborn stains. Avoid trips to an auto paint shop for touchups by parking out from under trees.

3. Clean Off Bird Droppings Right Away

Getting bird droppings on your car is all but unavoidable, especially if you park it outside during the day. Clean them off as soon as you see them. The acidic nature of these droppings means they will eat through paint, wax, and other protective shields, permanently damaging your paint job. If it’s dry, soften it with a solution, such as water and club soda, before wiping it away with a clean cloth.

If you need a reliable auto paint shop in Fairfield County, CT, check out the professionals at Valiante Auto Body. Specializing in all types of collision repair and more than capable of handling domestic, foreign, and vintage makes and models, the team of certified technicians will get your car back on the road in no time. Visit the car repair team's website to learn more about their services, or call the body shop directly at (203) 847-3043.