Your vehicle is an investment, and the best way to protect that investment is to be proactive about protecting it against potential damage. At Minnetonka Collision, we know the vast majority of scratches, dings, dents, and deterioration are easily preventable when you know what to watch for. If you’re ready to take great care of your vehicle, heed the following tips:
Keep It Clean
Keeping your vehicle clean is one of the easiest things you can do to protect your vehicle from damage and deterioration. Pollen, dust, salt, dead bugs, and anything else that comes into contact with your vehicle’s exterior can deteriorate the paint over time, so do your best to wash and dry your vehicle regularly. Depending on how frequently you drive, once-a-week washings are typically necessary to keep the exterior in top condition. We also recommend:
● Waxing your vehicle after each wash to provide an extra layer of paint protection
● Using leather conditioner on your seats to prevent dehydration and cracking
● Installing seat covers for an extra layer of interior protection
● Regularly wiping the dash and controls with a microfiber cloth to remove small particles that can cause scratches
● Having a comprehensive, professional detailing service thoroughly clean and maintain your vehicle
Keep It Out of the Sun
Direct sunlight can wreak havoc on your vehicle's paint, auto glass, and interior, so whenever possible, keep it out of the sun. If you must park in an open parking lot, leave your windows open just a crack to help reduce the interior temperature and equalize interior air pressure.
We also recommend using a windshield protector to prevent UV rays from drying out your dash and seats. Repeatedly leaving your vehicle in direct sunlight is a perfect recipe for faded paint, cracking seats, and overall deterioration, so take this tip seriously.
Park In Protected or Wide Open Areas
The last thing any driver wants is to discover a brand new dent in their vehicle after they’ve parked in a public lot. Fortunately, when you practice prudent parking, unexpected dings can be a thing of the past. Whether you’re pulling into work or you’re out running errands, the safest place you can park is far away from other vehicles. The fewer cars there are near your parking space, the lower your chances of dents, dings, and scratches.
Ideally, if you have access to a parking garage, you should opt for a parking space inside, simply because it provides additional protection from the sun and falling objects. But, even if you park in a protected area, you should still as far away from other vehicles as possible.
Minnetonka Collision: High-End Auto Body Repair in the Twin Cities
Whether you’re looking for dent removal, hail damage repair, or flawless car touchup paint, trust your auto body repairs to our team at Minnetonka Collision. We’ve been serving vehicle owners throughout the Twin Cities for over 30 years, and our stellar reputation speaks for itself. When you need an auto body shop you can count on, we’re the ones to call. To learn more about our auto body repair or to schedule an appointment, give our team a call at 763-230-7805. For your convenience, you can also message us on our contact page or request your free estimate online.