The best way to protect your car and its paint job is to park it inside or under a structure. However, no everyone will have access to garages or carports to protect their vehicles, in which case a car cover might help. Paint protection film installation is obviously long term your best option to keeping your car safe.
However, even when parking indoors, a soft cotton indoor car cover can protect the car from dust and other interior elements. When thinking about what car cover might be right for your vehicle, consider the many common causes of paint damage when parked outside.
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Bird Droppings
Bird droppings are one of the leading reasons for using truck covers. Bird poop contains acid that can eat away at the clear coat on your vehicle. If it is not removed quickly enough, the droppings can stain the paint, and if left on long enough, the droppings can expose the metal underneath. However, most people will clean their cars before reaching that point.
Tree Sap
Tree sap is another substance that can be corrosive to paint. The longer it sits on the surface, the more time it has to weaken the clear coat layer which will lead you to do some rust repair. Sap often leads to staining and discoloration of the paint. To avoid damage caused by tree sap, cover your vehicle using the best material for car cover or avoid parking under trees.
Bugs
The body fluid of insects is highly acidic. Therefore, it can also eat away at the surface layers of paint. However, a bug making contact with your car briefly is not likely to cause much damage, if any. It is only when they are present on your vehicle for long periods. If you notice an insect on your vehicle, remove it and clean the surface of your car.
Brake Fluid
When people work on their cars, it is not uncommon for them to get a little dirty. Unfortunately, some products and materials you use for your vehicle can be problematic for the paint finish. For example, some brake fluids, especially those that are not silicone-based, can act as paint thinner. If you happen to get brake fluid on your car, be sure to soak it up immediately with a clean towel and rinse the area thoroughly.
Properly Covering Your Vehicle
A car cover can help prevent most damage or threats to paint. To install a cover correctly, you want to find the label for the front. Hook the cover to the front bumper. It is best to use two people so that one can be on the driver’s side and the other on the passenger’s side to prevent bunching as you pull the car over the roof to the back bumper, where you will hook it in place.
Ensuring Your Car Is Always Clean
A car cover helps to keep your car clean. However, you want to make sure you wash your vehicle regularly to prevent the cover from inadvertently scratching the paint job. Depending on the climate and weather, washing your car once a month to once a week should be sufficient.
If you are looking for a car cover, consult with your local auto parts store. Store employees can help you determine the right size cover for your vehicle.