After Repair Car Care
Best practices for lasting results for collision repair
Lasting looks and value
Structural repair is the most important for safety and reliability, but the exterior is what you and the rest of the world will see every day, including other dealerships, when it's time to trade in.
Your friends and family won't be able to tell you had a repair done, and neither should anyone else interested in owning the vehicle whenever you're ready to upgrade.
The most critical time after a collision repair is immediately after you receive it from the repair shop and up to 90 days after the repairs, most notably the paint, have been restored.
Here's a list of important details about taking care of your car's exterior paint after your repair.
Paint Curing Timeline and Initial Care
The newly applied paint on your car needs time to cure and harden properly. This process is crucial to prevent damage and discoloration of the finish.
Environmental factors like weather and temperature definitely play a factor as well.
In the warmer months, the curing process can be as short as 30-45 days; however, the recommended time to add any coatings, wraps, or other PPF (Paint Protection Film) is up to 90 days after repair. In colder months, it's especially important to wait 90 days for common exterior car care, like waxes.
This allows your vehicle's coatings to cure properly and prevent any issues like bubbling and wrinkling.
During these time frames, you will still have a dirty car from regular use. Follow the do's and don'ts to make sure your securing the best results for your cars exterior in that time.
Do's
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Keep your vehicle in a garage when possible to protect it from the elements and animals
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Rinse your car with water without additives to pre-rinse your car before any cleaning
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Use a very mild soap, and in small amounts, to avoid disturbing the coatings
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Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and structures to prevent contact
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Avoid roads that are not paved or have high traffic of commercial vehicles
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Wipe bird droppings and bugs off with a wet microfiber towel
Don'ts
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Leave your vehicle under trees to avoid tree sap
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Allow bird droppings or bugs to stay on your vehicle; they are highly acidic and can quickly ruin paint
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Park next to high-traffic areas, including shopping cart returns
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Use automated car washes
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Dry-wipe your vehicle
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Park your car near industrial plants, even if it's blocks away; use a garage or other cover to protect your paint
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Spill harsh chemicals like gas or additives on your paint
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Apply waxes, ceramics, or other PPFs until at least 90 days has passed, and let any business providing these services know about the restored paint
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Use a pressure washer on your vehicle
Get back on the road with confidence, schedule now
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