Whether it’s a subcompact hatchback, a sensible family saloon or a snazzy red convertible, cars are very significant investments.  At the same time, it embodies the image that you want to show your friends, co-works and other drivers.  Keeping your car looking new keeps its resale value up, make it last longer and helps avoid costly headaches in the future.  A car that looks good inside and out leaves a good impression too, and helps you get the most money when you do decide to sell it, years down the road.  Here are some few tips to keep your car looking new:

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Wash your car frequently.  Remove road grime and corrosion-causing acid rain deposits with frequent hand washes.  Pay special attention to fresh tar or tree sap.  Both will, over time, bake into the finish.  For removing tar before you wash, apply a small amount of coconut oil with a cotton towel or soft, clean rag.  Better yet, there are special solutions available for removing tar at your auto parts or hardware store.  When washing, always remember to use proper car soap or shampoo and rinse from the top down.

Use high-quality towels to dry your car.  Cheap, coarse towels especially those with exposed labels and nylon bindings around the edges will scour the surface and leave scratches.  After clearing most of the water with a chamois, terry cloth towels with a high thread count (otherwise known as “microfiber”) are the best to use for drying after a good wash.  Professional detailers recommend that you dry your car’s surface with an up-down or side-to-side motion, rather than with circular swirls.

Wax occasionally.  At least twice a year, or more often for unusually harsh conditions (i.e. dusty places), give your car a good wax coat.  It not only adds shine, but it supplements your car’s finish with added protection from sunlight, acid rain, small stone chips and bird droppings.

Check and fix damage or rust promptly.  Chips or scrapes, no matter how minor, make your finish more susceptible to rust.  Inspect your entire vehicle each quarter for new corrosion and fix it.

Organize your mess.  Ultimately, the best way to prevent clutter inside a car is to minimize the stuff that’s brought in.  Remove unneeded items such as stuffed animals, small trinkets and furry dice.  Try to live with the barest of necessities inside, and don’t forget to clean out any trash that may have accumulated during a trip, even a short one.  Try not to eat or drink inside the automobile, as the various odors of fast food burgers and coffee will stick to the fabric.

Vacuum regularly.  Regular maintenance is the key to a clean interior.  Make sure to vacuum the floor mats, carpeting and upholstery on a regular basis.  If a dose of carpet shampoo is needed, take care of not leaving the carpet wet, since automobiles are backed by sheet metal underneath, which can rust if left damp.  For small stains, use warm water and detergent first.  If it doesn’t work, then use a specialized spray-on product.

Use the correct cleaners for each surface.  Nowadays, cars come with all sorts of interior trims from carbon fiber to wood.  In each case, make sure to use the correct cleaner/conditioner (i.e. leather cleaner/conditioner for leather, etc.).  This prevents sensitive surfaces such as leather, vinyl and rubber from cracking, drying and other sorts of damage.

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