Purchasing a new or used vehicle has become very expensive over the last few years. The average price of a new vehicle now exceeds $47,000 and prices are increasing annually by 5%. Used car prices have stabilized but they still average over $27,000. With such a large investment, it makes sense to protect your vehicle. There are a few methods to ensure that the value of your vehicle is retained. These methods include regular washing and waxing, paint correction, ceramic coating, and paint protection film.
New vehicles do not come off the production line of the factory in perfect condition and by the time your new car leaves the lot, there could already be minor scratches. The best way to protect your new car is to have a certified pro install paint protection film, also referred to as PPF. PPF, sometimes referred to as CLEAR BRA, is an almost invisible polyurethane film that protects your car from scratches, rock damage, or chips. You can preserve the value of your investment and prevent the need for costly repairs or even repainting. You can use PPF on the entire vehicle or partially, in conjunction with ceramic coating. PPFs are very popular with Tesla and Lucid vehicle owners. Tesla paint is known for being thin and easily damaged so many Tesla owners elect to protect the paint with PPFs. Another great protection option is to utilize ceramic coating on your vehicle, either in conjunction with a PPF or on its own, which could be a more cost-effective method of protecting the paint on your new or used car.
Typically, your used car will have many flaws in the paint. Paint correction can remove those imperfections and ceramic coating can provide protection from UV damage, bugs, hard water spots, dirt, and road debris. Ceramic coating makes washing your vehicle easy because dirt and grime will come off quickly and efficiently. Ceramic coating improves vehicle gloss and shine. Ceramic coating leaves your vehicle with a glass-like shield with amazing hydrophobic properties that repel water spots, bug splatter, and dirt.
Regardless of the method chosen to protect the finish on your car, there are other ways to protect your car. Regular washing of your vehicle every two weeks will remove dirt and grime. Use a mild soap formulated for automotive use or use a detailing expert regularly to maintain the car. Avoiding harsh weather and extensive sun exposure helps preserve your vehicle and a protective car cover can be a great investment if you do not have a garage to store your vehicle in.