Cars are expensive machines. While the allure of a new car is always there, it makes sense that you would want to keep your current vehicle on the road as long as possible. While basic maintenance is great to keep your car moving, you’ll have to do a little more to make sure that it stays looking like new. Fortunately, there are some simple steps that can keep your car looking like new for years to come.
Wash It Frequently
Washing your car does more than you might think. Not only will it keep your car looking shiny and new, but it will also help to wash away many of the elements that can corrode your car’s undercarriage and that can damage its paint job, like mud and road salt. Make sure to wash your car at least once every few weeks, and pay special attention to washing it more thoroughly if you live in an area where the roads get salted during the winter or if you do any off-roading.
Use Car Floor Mats
Car floor mats are cheap, simple, and take absolutely no expertise to install. With that said, they’re also fantastic for keeping the interior of your car looking like new. When you have mats, you won’t have to worry about permanently staining the floorboards of your car if you have walked through the mud or grass. They also prevent stains from spilled food and beverages in the car. Simply cleaning off these mats from time to time can keep your car looking years newer.
Have Body Work Done Professionally
One of the easiest ways to make a car look old and uncared for is to let it get banged up. As your car accrues dents and scratches, you may decide that the cheapest course of action is to take care of them on your own or to just leave them. If you want your car to look like new, though, you’ll want to make sure that a professional takes care of these problems. This will restore your car to a better condition and make it look like these small problems never occurred.
Store Your Car Inside
Another great way to keep your car looking good is to keep it out of the weather. If at all possible, keep your car in a garage so that it won’t get it wet and so that it won’t be constantly exposed to intense heat, cold, or sunlight. All of these things can take a toll on your vehicle over the years. If you can’t store your car inside, make sure to invest in a car cover so that you can avoid the worst of those problems.
You can keep your car looking new for longer if you put in the work. Clean it well, let professionals work on the vehicle when it needs it, and use common sense to keep it in good shape. If you put in the work, your car will look more like a classic than something that belongs in a junkyard.