The average lifespan of a car is around twelve years. If you want your vehicle to reach this peak golden age without issues, you need to be vigilant regarding maintenance. The same goes for when you want to keep your vehicle looking brand new.
Ensuring that your car is running efficiently is one thing, but maintaining the way your car looks is a whole other topic. After all, when it comes to automobiles, looks do matter. If your vehicle is looking worn and tired, restoring its appearance can be accomplished with a few upgrades and additions along the way.
Buff and Polish
An essential step of restoring your vehicle is buffing and polishing. Minor scratches can result from daily wear and tear from stones on the street to mineral deposits in the water and environment. These minor scratches can be fixed with buffing and polishing to keep your car sparkly clean.
Buffing
Buffing is an abrasive process that removes a very thin layer of paint. Buffing evens out the paint and removes any minor scratches. This prepares your car for a good coat of polish. Buffing requires the use of a rotary buffer that can run at speeds of up to 3000 RPM. To ensure your safety, it is best to get your buffing done by a professional auto detailing service.
Polishing
Polishing a car involves using a mildly abrasive solution that removes a minute of the car’s clearcoat. Polishing prepares the car for waxing, which gives your car that lustrous finish.
Headlight Restoration
A car’s headlights are its crowning glory. Over time, your headlights can become faded or foggy due to exposure to the elements. This occurrence is expected especially for standard-issue plastic headlights. The good news is that you can restore your headlights to their former glory with just a few tools and materials.
- Sandpaper
- Polishing compound
- Wax
- UV sealant
You can buy these materials separately or get a headlight restoration kit, which is a more convenient option. Restoring your headlights not only enhances the look of your vehicle; it also ensures better efficiency when it comes to headlight function. If you also want to ensure that your car is in the best running condition, you may also want to invest in an OBD2 scanner that can analyze your car’s data and help you save on costly repairs.
Car Accessories
Blackout Grilles
Most cars come with chrome or chrome-plated grilles. If you want to refresh your car and give it an update, try installing some blackout grilles for a sleek and modern feel. Blackout grilles are a perfect statement piece, and you can get one fitted for your car that can match its make and model. Maintaining your vehicle not only means ensuring optimum engine performance but also updating your car’s exterior.
Blinkers
You should always make sure that your car blinkers are functioning correctly. This ensures your safety and compliance with state laws. Over time, the bulbs may give out and need to be replaced. Blinker lights may also become foggy, especially when your car has been on the road for a few years. To give your vehicle an overall makeover, you can replace your worn-out blinkers with clear blinkers and indicators.
Wheels
Nothing says sleek like a good set of wheels. APEX wheels are some of the best wheels on the market. If you’re thinking of refreshing your car, try replacing it with a new set of wheels and see how it makes all the difference.
Roundels
You can add decals or vintage roundels if you want to add a whimsical touch to your old vehicle. Roundels were traditionally used in rally cars to denote car numbers in races. If you’re going to restore your vehicle and add a vintage feel to it, you can opt for temporary roundels that are either vinyl or magnetic. You can also customize these decals to match your car’s color and model.
Paint Repair
Refreshing your car may also mean that you need to give it a new paint job. Paint colors do fade over time. Other environmental factors such as frost and extreme heat can also contribute to the paint quality. If you want to refresh your car and give it a new paint job, make sure that you only bring your vehicle to the most trusted bodywork stations that specialize in custom paint jobs.
A vehicle is an investment that should last you for the years to come. With proper maintenance and regular checks, you can make sure that you get the mileage that you deserve from your car. Keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape also means that you look after how it looks on the outside. Keep these tips in mind when you want to give your tired car the refresh it deserves.