Are You Accidentally Scratching Your Car’s Paint? 🏁
If you're a member of this newsletter, chances are, you care about your car's appearance.
And avoiding scratches is a big part of that (we don't park at the far end of the lot because it's fun 🤣).
The problem is, there are a few ways you could be scratching your paint without realizing it, and today, I'm going to share some with you.
Stay tuned for a full video that goes into further detail!
1. Snow removal
Using a brush to clear snow from your windows is fine, but those bristles will scratch your paint if you let them.
If the snow is fluffy, a leaf blower does a great job of removing snow without even touching it.
2. A clay bar
I recently scratched the fender of my Harley in a video, just to prove what a clay bar can do to soft paint.
Clay bars should only be used when necessary, and your paint should be polished afterward to clear up any marring.
3. A vacuum hose
This one might not be as obvious, but pay close attention to what your vacuum hose is doing to your door jamb while you scrub your carpet back and forth.
Remember that this is the thinnest paint on your car, and that ribbed hose can wear through it pretty easily!
4. A car cover
It's no secret that I'm not a fan of these, and the argument I hear in return is usually the same: "But mine is soft, microfiber inside!"
Consider how a microfiber towel behaves, though - it grabs and holds any dirt it comes into contact with tight in its fibers.
And since it's impossible to get a car 100% surgically clean, you're bound to be rubbing that on your paint when you slide the cover on or off.
5. Improper dust removal
Removing dust from your car the lazy way, whether it be with a detail spray or California Duster, can cause scratches.
If your car is dusty, just wash it properly. It's not worth the time savings.
6. Washing (Yes, even properly)
Any time we wash or dry our cars, the risk of scratching is real. We're combining dirt with friction, regardless of the method we use.
Safe methods definitely make a HUGE difference, but the truth is, if you wash a car enough times, the surface will eventually get dull (especially with soft paint).
That's why it's a good idea to do a paint enhancement or a light polish every few years to keep your car looking glossy without removing any clear coat.
