Are you looking for ways to keep your car looking fresh and shiny for longer? Below are 7 basic tips and tricks to maintain your car for less than £100.
1. Keep It Clean And Neat
The first step to preserving your car’s look and feel is getting rid of the trash whenever stepping out. Taking the trash out often reduces the chances of it spilling over, leaving the car messy. It would also be advisable to give the dashboard a good wipe with a microfiber cloth whenever possible to get rid of dirt and other foreign materials. An occasional deep clean at least once every 6 months would also help remove dirt and dust hiding in the crevices and fabrics.
You don’t necessarily have to invest in expensive cleaning or organization tools to keep the car clean and neat. A few Ziplock bags in the glove compartment will come in handy for keeping car repair and maintenance, manuals, chargers, cords, etc., organized. With the dashboard, floor mats, and seats clean, you can turn your focus on the exterior. While an occasional wax every few months might help maintain the car’s shine and appeal, giving it a good wash (yourself or at the carwash) can help keep the paintwork clean and shiny for longer. Be sure to clean the wheels with a brush to restore their shine and look.
2. Switch To Weather-Appropriate Rubber Floor Mats
Although OEM floor mats may look nice and sleek, most of these aren’t designed to handle all types of weather and can be a magnet for dirt, dust, and whatnot. It will be just a matter of time before they start wearing down and losing the initial appeal. If possible, consider replacing them with aftermarket and weather-appropriate ones. Rubber flooring car mats are longer lasting, can withstand any type of abuse, and prevent mold growth. Keep the original mats safely in storage to use when required, especially when looking to sell or trade in the car.
3. Invest In New Windshield Wipers
A good set of windshield wipers are a great investment, especially if you live in areas that get real weather with frequent downpours. Original wipers that came with the car can wear out quickly, which is another reason you need to invest in new and more durable ones after some time. The wiper blades, too, will need some TLC. Make a habit of cleaning them with a clean microfiber cloth once a week. Treating the windshield with the appropriate solutions, such as Rain-X, can also help keep the wipers looking good for longer.
4. Consider Seat Covers
Seat covers play an important role in protecting your seats from dirt and normal wear and tear. You could thus invest in good seat covers to protect your new seats or cover older ones to give them a fresh look.
5. Clean The Windows
Dirty windows can make your car seem old and affects visibility too. Your windows can get unbelievably dirty if you have pets or kids in the back seats. To prevent dirt, fingerprints, and grime buildup, use a window cleaner and a microfiber cloth to wipe it clean. Some soapy water with a towel or a paper towel will do the job too.
6. Remove Scratches And Dents
Dents and scratches make a car look old and unsightly. Repairing and removing most of these dents, if not all, can help restore the car’s original look and appeal. Repairing deep scratches and dents is especially crucial for body parts made of metal as it helps prevent dust and further damage. Hot glue and suction method are some of the handy ways many people use to remove dents from plastic parts of the car, especially the bumper. A scratch repair pen or nail polish may help remove/conceal minor scratches.
7. Stick To Regular Car Maintenance
You don’t want a sleek-looking car to keep breaking down on the highway, do you? Regular maintenance is as important as all the other steps outlined above. Regular maintenance will help keep the car running smoothly for longer with very few or no breakdowns. This entails simple servicing, including regular oil changes, belt checks, filter replacement, and spark plug replacement when needed. Bolt checks will also help keep squeaks at bay.
