Car Paints - Do’s & Don’t’s

Do - Always use a wet cloth for wiping the car, after rinsing the paint surface with water first.
Don't - Never wipe dust off your car with a dry cloth or duster.
Do - Wax your car after it's been washed.
Don't - Do not wash, polish or wax your car in the sun when the sun is hot. It could streak or stain the paint surface.
Do - For car covers use natural fabrics that breathe, like cotton. Make sure the car cover is secure.
Don't - Never use vinyl or plastic car covers in humid conditions.
Do - Always use soft (normal) water to wash your car.
Don't - Do not use hard water, which contains minerals. It will leave a film on paint surface.
Do - Use car shampoos or polishes to wash your car.
Don't - Never use laundry detergents or similar harsh soaps to wash your car. Harsh soaps will remove any protective wax plus the paints oil, which will dry out the paint and make it look flat.

NOTE: Do not use any polish or wax on the car’s paint surface before checking your owner’s manual regarding recommended treatment.
Do - For acrylic finishes, use nonabrasive liquid polishes specifically designed for such finishes.
Don't - Never use polishing or rubbing compounds on paints with a clear acrylic coating, the coating will become dull.
Do - Use rubbing compounds only when the paint surface is extremely oxidized (chalky) and does not shine, even after wax has been applied.
Don't - Abrasive cleaners are extremely dangerous and can easily remove the paint & primer, leaving bare metal.
Do - Choose light colors. They retain their brilliance over the years better than dark colors do.
Don't - Dark colors are more susceptible to oxidation from the sun.

Do - Use covered parking or shade wherever possible.
Don't - Avoid parking the car in the sun for an extended period of time. It may cause the paint to blister.
Do - Immediately touch up paint blemishes with the appropriate color and type of automotive paint. Consult your vehicle specification sheet for correct paint.
Don't - Do not let paint chips go unattended. Exposed metal could begin to rust when exposed to water and salt.

NOTE: Be careful about using silicone-based wax. The wax penetrates all layers of paint. Paint touch ups are more difficult in this case.


What do you do to restore the gloss of your paint?

Wash and dry your car.

Always use high quality polishes containing mild abrasives. If your paint has a white, hazy look, follow the instructions on the polish box to remove the top layer of dead paint. Use rubbing compound only in case of extreme paint oxidation.

If the paint is dull and has no shine, apply a chemical cleaner to gently remove the dead paint layer. Wax your car immediately after polishing or cleaning it in order to protect the newly exposed paint layer. This slows the process of oil evaporation from the new paint layer and maintains the shine.