Land Cruiser Driving Through Snow

5 Tips For High-Mileage Paintwork

Just because your car’s getting old, doesn’t mean the paint has to look that way. We know Toyotas and Jeeps are built to last, and you can definitely find a few Hondas with over 150,000 miles puttering around your town if you look, but typically when you see these cars at such high mileage they look like garbage. You know as well as I that the owners of these valiant vehicles love their cars with all their hearts, which is why I’ve compiled the top 5 tips for longer lasting paintwork. Make these simple changes to your detailing routine and you’ll notice a world of difference for many, many, many miles to come.

  1. Opt for the Paint Sealant. A “regular” wax is great, don’t get me wrong, however a quality paint sealant lasts 2 to 3 times longer than a typical carnauba wax would. If you’re planning on keeping your car for 5 or more years, it’s best to give the paintwork a little added protection once or twice a year. You’ll notice a longer lasting shine and better paint throughout the entire life of your daily driver.
  2. Loose the High-Speed Buffer. Many people think all their problems can be solved with a machine. Well, that’s just not the case. Years of experience and research has proven that you can achieve brilliant results with your hands – and most machine work is due to neglect or improper care. Just something to think about next time your car’s in need of a polish… Are the swirls there because you forgot to wax?
  3. Can you say Clay Bar? I know I can. You might not be able to see the microscopic debris that is embedded in your paintwork, but you sure can remove it. Clay removes impurities and airborne contaminants from causing future scratches and swirls, and is a MUST for anyone who wants to keep their car looking good for the next 5 to 10 years. (Read more on Claying)
  4. Keep a Detail Spray Handy. Whether it be bird $@!%, tree sap, dust or finger prints, lots of things come into contact with your paint throughout the course of a day. Having a quality detail spray and microfiber towel in your car at all times will allow you to eradicate any potentially harmful substances from your paint with ease.
  5. Wax Seasonally. You’ve heard it before… a lot from us, but waxing 4 times a year is an absolute must if you want to keep your car shining at 200,000 miles. Need proof? That ’89 LandCruiser above has 259,753 miles (and counting) on it and is a living testimonial of proper paint care. Enough said? I think so. (More LandCruiser Photos)

By now you should believe me, old cars can look great by keeping these 5 paint care tips in mind at all times. Aside from increasing resale value, you’ll end up keeping the car longer than you probably would if it looked like junk (even if it still runs great). Too many drivers neglect their cars and end up paying for it later, so break out of the pack and join the good side! Got a high-mileage beauty you’d like to share with us? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook!

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