How to Protect Your Nissan’s Exterior: Tips for Paint Care and Protection

You want to keep your Nissan looking as good as possible, inside and out. Your Nissan exterior needs some love to protect and care for the paint, and your Nissan dealer can give you more tips and take care of those issues that a cleaning can’t fix.

Regular Washing

This is the foundation of exterior care, and it’s not to be skipped. Washing your car at least once a week helps get rid of contaminants, preventing them from etching into the paint. Choose a high-quality car wash soap specifically designed for automotive use. Avoid household detergents, as they can strip away protective wax and harm the paint.

Use microfiber cloths or soft sponges to wash your car. Abrasive materials can scratch the paint surface. Always use one bucket for soapy water and another for rinsing your sponge. This prevents dirt from being reintroduced to the car’s surface. Finally, ensure all soap is rinsed off thoroughly to avoid streaks and residue that can damage the paint.

Waxing and Polishing

Waxing your Nissan’s exterior provides a protective barrier against the elements, while polishing helps restore the paint’s shine and smooth out minor imperfections. Wax acts as a shield against the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can cause the paint to fade and oxidize, and it creates a hydrophobic layer that repels water, preventing water spots and reducing the risk of rust formation.

Use a high-quality polish suitable for your car’s paint type. Test a small area first to ensure compatibility or ask us if it’s right for your Nissan. Always polish your car before applying wax to remove any imperfections and create a smooth surface for the wax to adhere to.

Parking and Storage

Whenever possible, park your car in a shaded area or under a carport to protect it from direct sunlight, which can cause the paint to fade. While trees provide shade, they also drop sap, leaves, and bird droppings, which can damage the paint, so don’t use those for protection. If you have a garage, use it.

Invest in a high-quality car cover that is breathable and designed for outdoor use. Ensure it fits your Nissan snugly to prevent it from being blown off by the wind.

Regular Inspections and Touch-Ups

Regularly inspecting your Nissan’s exterior allows you to identify and address any issues before they become major problems. Small scratches and chips can be repaired easily if caught early, and we can do both paintless dent repair and fix road rock chip damage quickly in our body shop. We use sophisticated color-matching paint, and taking care of these issues keeps away rust and keeps the paint looking fresh.

Need more tips or some help? Come see us at Courtesy Nissan of Altoona, PA.

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