The most common factors that contribute to fading car paint include:

Car Wash

Some car washes involve the use of strong soaps that cause the shiny finish of the clear coat to diminish. Many car owners also leverage spinning plastic brushes that not only damage the paint but also make the clear coat appear dull.

Sun Rays

One thing we have plenty of in Austin is sunshine. Oxidation from the sun’s UV rays is a top reason for fading car paint. When your car remains exposed to the UV rays from the sun, heat builds up underneath the vehicle’s clear coat, thereby mixing it with oxygen. This process of oxidation causes the molecules of the paint’s structure to break down, so the paint color begins to fade and appear less vibrant.

If not immediately addressed, the paint surface will become subject to more damage, feeling dusty or rough. Next, the clear coat may start flaking off. If the metal on your car’s body gets exposed, it will become highly vulnerable to rust, which will undermine the structural integrity of your car and in turn your safety.

Acid Rain

Acid rain comprises acidic elements, which, if allowed to settle on your vehicle’s exterior, will damage its paint. Even after the water has evaporated, the acidic material tends to stay on surfaces. If not addressed, the residue will not just ruin the paint but also weaken the metal on the car’s body.

Air Pollution

At most, 95% of the fuel that goes into the combustion chamber is burned by engines. The rest of the 5% that’s released from the exhaust system pollutes the environment.  This, combined with other sources of pollution generate an incredible amount of carbon particulates that end up on your car exterior. The jagged and hard carbon molecules lead to scarring on the clear coat, leading to faded paint or oxidation. Pollution also triggers acid rain.

Now that you’re aware of the most common causes of faded car paint, let’s find out how to prevent it:

Exercise Caution While Driving in Parking Lots

Many of us drive in a hurry without being careful and watching the distance with cars in the front, back, and sides. This eventually results in unnecessary collisions causing parking lot dents. Take your time to park your vehicle or drive out of the parking lot. The Rearview mirror and side mirrors can be of great help in this regard. Make the most out of them while driving in the parking lot, so that you avoid scratching your vehicle onto other cars.

Avoid Parking Too Close to Entry or Exit

How often do we leave our car bodies intact in the parking area and return only to notice scratches or parking lot dents tearing through the paint at one or more points? With the culprit gone, you can’t force someone to pay for the damage. What you can do is park smartly the next time around.

A myriad of parking lot dents occurs near the entry or exit points where cars enter or leave the parking area. The underlying reason being these points typically experience high traffic, where inexperienced drivers end up scratching other cars, especially when making turns. The tendency to park near the entrance or exit stems from our reluctance to walk and end up parking in the spot closest to the shopping center or business. Since every shopper or driver wants the same, their chance of bumping into your car is increased.

Hence, one great strategy to safeguard your vehicle from them is to park in slots at the end, with only one side of your car exposed.

Provide Sufficient Room for Other Vehicles

Another way we invite parking lot dents is by parking too close to the vehicle on one side. When you do that, the owner of that car may hit your vehicle’s side when they get back and open the door to get into their vehicle. Some drivers or passengers will do that on purpose due to frustration. Even your own kids may open the door without considering the car parked next to yours. That’s why it’s important to leave enough room on both sides of your car when leaving it parked.

Park Near Cars with a Similar Height As Yours

Another effective way to protect your car paint from parking lot dents is to park it next to vehicles of the same height. This makes it considerably easier to maneuver and make turns without coming into contact with other vehicles, thereby reducing the chances of parking lot dents and scratches that damage the car paint.

Don’t Violate the Speed Limits

If there’s one area you should never consider speeding, it has to be a parking lot. Large parking lots that receive heavy traffic often have speed limits that you must observe. Speeding beyond those limits can easily result in costly accidents and collisions. To maneuver the parking area safely and avoid parking lot dents, it’s important that you maintain low and moderate speeds inside the parking lot.

Back Out Slowly When Moving Out of Your Spot

Another instance when drivers end up colliding with other parked or moving vehicles is when they move out of their slot faster than they should. When going in reverse, in particular, you don’t see any vehicle in the way or arriving at your back, but as soon as you pull out speedily, another vehicle suddenly pulls out at the same moment, resulting in a minor collision. Hence, be sure to pull out slowly, especially when reversing your car.

Dents

When you think about auto body work, the first thing that pops into your mind is dealing with dents, which are a common occurrence for vehicles. Whether you engage in a minor accident with a bike or car or end up colliding with a pole or gate, your car will likely experience one or more dents on its body. In other cases, you may return to see a dent on your parked car, suggesting that another vehicle collided with it.

In more serious collisions, the dents can expose the metal of your car’s body, making it susceptible to further damage. Regardless of how deep or shallow a dent is, it’s important to take the damaged vehicle to an aluminum auto body shop in Austin without any delay and get the dents fixed.

While you’ll need some form of auto body painting for serious dent repairs, some minor dents can be fixed without painting.

Fading Paint

Another case where you may need to take your vehicle to an auto body shop is when you see fading paint on your car. The issue can significantly distort the appearance of your vehicle. The problem mostly results from extreme weather conditions, weather fluctuations, and UV rays from the sun.

But fading paint has more serious implications for your car than losing aesthetics. Upon fading, the paint thins out, after which it fails to protect the metal frame on the car body. Without this protection, the metal underneath may rust and lead to more serious complications.

To avoid these problems, you should respond quickly to any paint issues and have your car repainted at a local certified auto body shop in Austin. Once the vehicle has been repainted, ensure regular waxing thereafter, so as to preserve the new paint.

Rust

There are a myriad of causes for rust on your car’s body, ranging from unfavorable weather conditions to reckless driving to collisions. Regardless of the cause, however, it’s important to react to it quickly when you notice rust developing on the exterior of your car. In the beginning, you’ll only notice that the paint bubbles up and deforms in large spots or patches. Upon removing this paint, you’ll find large rusty patches destroying the metallic exterior of your vehicle’s surface.

Without any delay, take your car to a certified aluminum auto body shop if you face the problem of rust.

Peeling Paint

In some cases, the paint on your vehicle simply starts peeling off. It’s most likely the clear coat getting separated from your vehicle’s base coat. In the absence of the clearcoat, the base coat gets exposed to other types of damages and pollution. If you continue to ignore the problem, the paint won’t stay intact for very long.

Thus, you should be responsive to peeling paint. In fact, you should stay alert for any discoloration or bubbles on the paint, which are among the earliest signs of peeling paint. If you notice any such changes, seek professional auto body work in Austin.

Deep Scratches

Scratches are the most common problem your car’s body can face. A simple brush of your keys against it can lead to scratches. In other cases, more serious scratches might be a result of neighborhood children messing with your car or minor contact with other vehicles.

Each time you notice a scratch on your car’s body, pay attention to how deep it is. If the scratch has cut through the paint and left the metal underneath the paint exposed, you’ll need to have an auto body professional in Austin treat it because any amount of metal that’s left exposed can be subject to rusting.

Engine Problems

Anyone who ignores or even procrastinates on seeking engine repairs is probably not sincere to their vehicle. Just as we humans require energy to be able to move, your car requires energy to get in motion. It’s your vehicle’s engine that transforms energy from fuel to provide your car the power to move. It acts as a combustion engine, creating tiny, contained explosions to enable movement.

In other words, your car won’t be able to move without a properly functioning engine. This emphasizes the critical importance of the engine in a car. If it’s not taken care of, you won’t be able to derive value from your car. So, you should stay extra vigilant about engine complications and get it inspected if you sense the slightest of hiccups with it.

Transmission Issues

Attached to the car engine, the transmission is another critical component of what sets your vehicle in motion. Simply put, it’s a vehicle’s gearbox, whose core function is to ensure that the wheels and engine turn in sync with each other. Therefore, transmission issues are another scary situation for any car owner.

Hence, if you sense soft gear shifts, slow shifts, or high revs without going very far, you’re probably dealing with a transmission problem. If it’s a transmission filter problem, that’s an easy and cheap fix. If this doesn’t solve the problem, it could be a serious transmission issue. In either case, you should never ignore a transmission issue and seek professional car repair in Austin if you face the slightest of glitches with gear shifts.

Battery Complications

Your car battery provides your car with the zap of electricity it needs to put electrical components to work. It’s also responsible to convert chemical energy to electrical energy to deliver voltage to the starter and power your vehicle. Also, it would stabilize the energy supply to ensure the smooth running of your engine.

Keeping these functions in mind, if you don’t test and replace your battery when required, you may end up stranded on a cold day. It’s true, batteries don’t hold up well in extremely cold conditions. Thus, you should have your battery tested from time to time. More importantly, don’t procrastinate in seeking battery testing, repairs, or replacement in Austin if you sense that it’s not working properly.

Suspension Problems

Your car’s suspension comprises shocks, struts, control arms, springs, and rods that collectively help your vehicle absorb bumps in the road. However, the parts in the suspension tend to wear out over time. If not immediately replaced, a costly suspension overhaul might be the only solution. If you put it another way, taking suspension issues lightly can hit hard on your pockets.

To avoid this, stay alert about the quality of drive your vehicle is delivering. If your car feels bumpier than usual or you sense that it swings to the side, consider getting its suspension inspected in Austin.

Windshield Cracks

No matter how negligible a windshield crack is, don’t ever take it lightly. Windshield cracks are a serious safety hazard. Even if it’s at a corner and won’t block your vision, it’s best not to drive without having it repaired. In some states, driving with any amount of windshield cracks may not even be legal.

Besides, the cracks tend to get bigger over time. So, by responding early and getting the cracks repaired as soon as you detect them, you can preclude the need to replace the entire windshield.

You can get a new paint job for your Austin car to maintain its exterior look from a certified auto repair shop locally. Covert Collision offers excellent paint services for Austin cars. Here is why you should consider this service for your vehicle:

1.      Restoration to Original Look

The biggest reason why you should get a new paint job for your Austin car is that it can help regain its original look. If your car has been in a collision, then it becomes necessary to get a fresh coat of paint to restore its outer look. Fresh paint can take care of any minor scratches or stains. Moreover, the new paint protects your car from rust and other issues of similar nature.

The same is the case for hail damage, which can create your car’s paint, so you need to get a new paint job done. In any case of damage repair, it is important that you also avail the new paint job services for your car in Austin. A professional auto repair shop can make your car look spotless after a collision with the help of a new paint job following an extensive repair procedure.

2.      Increase the Resale Value

A job as simple and effective as a new coat of paint can benefit you tremendously when you decide to put your car up for sale. A freshly painted car will attract potential customers more easily as its pristine will catch their eye. Cars are often judged by their exterior, so if you invest in their outer look, you can receive huge benefits for it while negotiating the price.

If you’re planning on selling your vehicle soon, then we highly recommend getting a new paint job for it. All you need to do is take your vehicle to an auto repair shop that offers paint services and get it done before listing it for sale. The team at Covert Collision will paint your car and bring out its best look. So, what are you waiting for? Visit us today or schedule an appointment on call.

3.      Protection from Rust

Since most cars are made of metal or steel, they tend to get corroded, or their body forms rust over the years. As cars are often out under rough conditions, the corrosion can damage their exterior appeal. You can prevent or protect your car from developing rust by getting a new paint job done from a local car paint shop.

A new coat of paint offers higher protection from exterior elements that deteriorate your car’s body and structure. After the new paint job, your car will remain safe from corrosion and rust for a long period.

4.      Get the Color of Your Choice

If you’re someone who is into the overall aesthetic of their vehicle, then a paint job can be the right answer for you. If you’re bored of the regular colors that these cars usually come in, you can get one of your own choices from a local car paint shop.

You can have your car painted any custom color you choose in Austin easily. Just visit a local auto paint shop and ask them to paint your vehicle any color you want, and it will be done.

5.      Better Maintenance

Another advantage of getting a new paint job done for your car is that you’ll find a new motivation to keep it maintained. Moreover, a newly-painted car is also easy to take care of because you don’t have to put in as much effort to make it look clean and shiny.

A fresh coat of paint also protects your car from everyday wear and tear, so you won’t have to do as much maintenance as with the old paint.

1.      Regularly Washing & Drying

Washing your car at least once a week in Austin should be on your list of chores. This is because the accumulation of dirt and dust on the exterior of the car can fade away and damage the car paint. Using a gentle automotive cleaner and microfiber cloth is the way to go. You want to avoid harsh chemicals such as detergent and dish soap.

2.      Parking Matters

Where you park plays an important role in how long our car paint in Austin is going to last. If you tend to park your car in open spaces under the glaring sun, chances are the paint may lose its vibrant color over time.

To protect your car paint in Austin, try to find parking that is indoors or under some sort of shelter. Parking under trees works best for this and so does parking inside your garage during the day. This is sure to help prevent your car paint from fading as well.

3.      Wax Often

Applying wax to your car comes with several benefits. It protects the car from UV radiation, bird dropping, and mud splatters. It also reduces the drag force allowing your car to operate smoothly and swiftly on the road.

However, that’s not all. It also cleans your car and keeps your car paint in Austin looking brand new at all times. Professionals recommend waxing your car every 6 weeks to ensure effective maintenance.

4.      Apply A Paint Sealant

Paint sealants work the same way as car wax does. But, what makes them better is that they are easy to use and apply. They give a glossy finish when applied by a professional service provider. There is a special technique to getting it right, so you might not want to experiment and give it a go on your own. Unless of course, you have applied it previously.

This paint sealant can last for up to 6 months with regular cleaning and washing of your car. However, there is one thing to note here. Paint sealant can draw out the scratches and imperfections on your car, thus requiring more prep work.

5.      Cover Up

Investing in a good car cover can go a long way. You want to protect your fresh coat of car paint in Austin from the harsh weather. When parked out in the open you can cover it up. Be sure to invest in a car cover that is of high quality. Water-resistant car covers work best as they can protect your car from acid rain as well. In addition, you want to get one that fits perfectly. A car cover that is too big is of no use as it can allow wind and pollution to seep in from the sides.

Refinishing Increases Your Car’s Value

If it looks good, it’s going to sell for more. If the mechanical condition of the car is the same as that of a well-kept and new car, but the outer surface is worn out and has paint that is faded and chipped off, chances are no one would buy it.

So, if you’re planning on selling your car, have it refinished. You can pick the original color of the car or have a new color painted over. The profit you’re going to receive from doing this before the sale is sure to cover the cost of refinishing your car.

Repairs The Outer Surface

Whether it’s dents, scratches, faded paint, or a peeling vehicle wrap, getting your car refinished in Austin is sure to cover up all the flaws. Make your car stand out in a crowd and have it shine bright with a new coat.

You may have been advised to cover up the scratches with a vehicle wrap – doing this may do more damage. The scratches can be visible through the wrap, further deteriorating the look of your car. While vehicle wraps are a great way to preserve the exterior surface of your car, having it done in such a situation is not worth it.

In addition, refinishing also seeks to restore the damage done to your car from harsh weather and the harmful UV rays from the sun. Faded paint is a common drawback of the sun – thus refinishing your car can get you a brand new look in no time while seeking to preserve the look of your car.

It’s Cost-Effective

Auto refinishing is inexpensive. You can get it done in a short period of time – you need not spend hours waiting for the process to commence and push through. You can sit back and relax while the service provider does the job. You can even leave your car at our auto body shop and pick it up when it’s ready.

It’s better to give your car a new coat of paint than have it reach a point where damage control cannot be done. In such cases, selling your car off may not even be worth it as you won’t get much value from it. To save yourself from this stressful situation, refinishing your car should be on your list.

Brings Your Car Back to Life

The auto painting comes with a protective layer on your car. This is the ideal way to bring your car to life and have it look brand new. This also ensures the paint lasts longer and takes a long while to fade out. You can take your car on a road trip, drive it through the scorching heat and puddles of mud, the paint is sure to look brand new with a quick washdown.

Here’s a pro tip – make sure you wash your wash at least once a week. This will help preserve the protective coating and get rid of any buildup.

Prevents Your Car from Developing Rust

The outer surface of the car is prone to get oxidized after coming in contact with oxygen and water. This chemical reaction is a natural process and can lead to the development of rust. If you live in humid areas, this process is sped up even more. Rust can cause holes in your car and eat away your metal even before you realize you are victim to its menace. To prevent rust from occurring, refinishing your car in Austin is an ideal solution. The paint acts as a protective coating and keeps your car in top shape for years.

Whenever a vehicle is manufactured, every component of the vehicle is designed and tested before being integrated into the production process. Here, every component undergoes a strict set of compliance measures and tests to ensure that it is in line with the performance standards of the industry. These parts are referred to as Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM parts. Thus, whenever you have an accident, it is always best to ensure OEM replacement parts are used for the repair.

Here’s a list of why OEM replacement parts are important after an accident in Austin.

They Ensure Safety Going Forwards

When it comes to keeping yourself and your family safe, you always want to invest in the best. This goes for OEM replacement parts as well. While they may cost a little more, they’re surely worth the investment.

Aftermarket parts are definitely easier to find and quite cheap too, but they come with the risk of possible failure. So, it’s best to make the wiser decision and look at the long-term benefits first. Making this assessment is important to keep your vehicle in fine condition and ensure safety for all.

OEM Parts Are Designed For Your Vehicle

OEM parts are designed and manufactured using the same materials and elements that were used during the initial production of the vehicle. This means that they are of the most top-notch quality and made according to industry standards. They fit right into your car’s structural specifications – this is exactly what you want for your car after a crash.

They Come With A Warranty

Austin OEM replacement parts come with a minimum one-year warranty. Thus, if any of the parts become faulty or show signs of wear and tear, you can easily have them replaced right away. With aftermarket parts, you will have to have to pay the full price for a new replacement altogether.

OEM Parts Enhance The Operational Life Of Your Vehicle

Since OEM replacement parts are compatible with your vehicle, they’re sure to improve the performance and operational life of your car. Ensuring the durability and longevity of your car going forward is what you want to focus on here, and OEM replacement parts aim to do just that!

All in all, you want to avoid opting for any aftermarket parts for repair after a car crash in Austin. In addition, it is important to be wary of the fact that most service providers seek to take advantage of vulnerable customers after a car crash. They do this by offering aftermarket parts at a high price. They resemble OEM replacement parts and can easily pass as being the original product. Thus, you want to be proactive and ask for the warranty card and certification documents before closing in on the deal. You’re going to be glad you did this in the long run.