How Should I Care For My Vehicle After A Car Accident?

How should I car for my vehicle after a car accident? Collision repairs will keep your vehicle looking new and shiny with a fresh coat of paint and wax. Following a collision, you should care for your vehicle carefully since there will be new parts installed on your car, including paint. You can do this in many ways.

Caring for Your Car After a Collision

What steps should I take for my vehicle after an auto collision? Be sure to follow these steps to keep your vehicle looking clean and new.

Wash Vehicle With Care

The number one recommendation following your collision repair is to avoid having your vehicle washed for the first 2 weeks. You can wash the areas that do not have fresh paint. Again, this is not a rule, but merely a suggestion. If you must wash your entire vehicle before the 2 weeks are up, here are some guidelines to follow:

• Avoid taking your car to commercial car washes for at least 30 days. Washing your vehicle by hand is best since commercial facilities tend to use brushes that may scratch the new paint. However, you must avoid them completely following a collision repair.
• Always make sure that you wash your vehicle in the shade to avoid having it in direct sunlight.
• Instead of scrubbing debris that is embedded and hard to remove, use a clay bar instead to clean the surface gently.
• Avoid wiping the vehicle to dry it since it will scratch the paint.

Avoid Waxing Immediately

It is highly recommended that you avoid having your vehicle waxed for at least 2 months following a collision repair to allow the finish to cure completely. After the 2 months is up, you can have the exterior of your car waxed every few weeks using a high-quality wax that is approved for automotive paint. If you are unsure of what wax to use, ask a technician. After waxing your car every several weeks, you will eventually only need to apply it every 4-6 weeks.

Cover It and Avoid Dirt Roads

If possible, you should consider parking your newly repaired vehicle in a garage or other covered structure to keep the paint protected from sun damage, fallen leaves, and other debris that can cause scratches. Be sure to keep a close look at the exterior of your car for any scratches or other contaminants. If you notice anything unusual, remove it immediately with a clay bar or take it to an autobody professional to have it professionally buffed out.

Finally, you can prevent damage to the exterior of your vehicle by avoiding gravel and dirt roads. Fresh paint that has not had enough time to fully cure and harden is susceptible to chips and dings that may occur from rocks.

Remember, if your vehicle has been repaired by a qualified technician, it should be safe for you to drive. However, you should remain observant to take note of any issues you notice with your vehicle.

Categorised in: Auto Body Repairs

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