If you’re a trucker or fleet manager you know that an auto body paint job in NYC is a must as your trucks are representative of your brand. Sending out trucks with faded and/or dull paint may not reflect so highly on your business.
The fact is- dull auto body paint in NYC is near unavoidable. Your fleet will constantly be exposed to the elements while doing the hard work they were designed to do. So, how can you restore that sad-looking paint job to get it looking brand new once again?
Well, first, you have to understand what causes fading in the first place. By understanding what can cause your fading paint, you can take the necessary steps to try and preserve the life of your paint job for as long as possible.
You know what they say: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Technically, ‘they’ stole that from Benjamin Franklin, but that’s neither here nor there.
What causes faded auto body paint?
- Sunlight/UV rays
Direct sunlight is probably the top reason why your truck will inevitably lose that shiny finish. Ultraviolet rays penetrate your paint finish- even if it has a clear protective coat- and cause oxidation. Ultimately, that causes your auto body paint to become visibly dull and faded.
If it’s possible, try storing your truck in a garage or under a cover when it’s not in use. That can be a challenge, especially in NYC, but covering your truck is the best prevention method to guard against harmful UV rays. It will ensure that your paint is protected- at least until the next time you have to take it back out on the road.
- Corrosion
If you live in a colder climate (like NYC in January) or by the coast, you may notice that your truck is especially vulnerable to corrosion. That’s because salt literally eats away at the paint, causing it to become dull, and eventually chip and rust.
To slow down this process, be sure to wash your truck regularly to remove harmful salt from its surface and prevent corrosion. Unfortunately, if your paint has begun to chip or rust, it’s already too late. You will need a brand new paint job.
- Type of paint
Depending on the method of painting or materials used, your truck may be more vulnerable to the elements and eventual corrosion. Of course, planning a regular wash and wax can help to mitigate these effects, but it’s useful to know how your truck was painted in order to care for it effectively.
- Environmental Contaminants
By this we mean acid rain, bird droppings and insect splatters, among other things. It’s unavoidable! When your drivers are out on the road putting in those hours, these types of contaminants are inevitable and will eventually eat away at your auto body paint.
And the prevention method is… you guessed it! Regular cleaning.
- Lack of care
We know you love your trucks! But do your trucks know that? Are you caring for them with regular washing and waxing?
We’ve said it before and we’ll say again- this is the best possible method of preventing dull and faded paint!
How can I restore faded auto body paint?
If you decided to skip the ‘prevention’ stage of caring for your auto body paint or you have some older trucks in your employ, you may find yourself wanting to restore their paint jobs back to their former glory.
Here are the steps you can take to do just that.
- Wash your truck.
The very first thing you need to do before attempting any restoration process is wash the truck. Use a soft sponge and soap to remove any dirt or residue from the surface of your truck’s paint. Do not use dish soap as it will eat away at your paint finish.
- Buff
Apply a liquid rubbing compound directly to a wet, clean buffing pad. Then, buff your truck, focusing on the most damaged areas of the paint. Press down firmly with your buffer but not too hard to avoid burning away any paint.
This may take a few tries, so stick with it. Double check the most damaged areas by rinsing them with fresh water. Once you’re satisfied, wipe away any excess rubbing compound with a clean towel.
- Polish
Switch out the buffing pad for a polishing pad on your buffer. Apply the polish directly to the polishing pad, and treat your truck’s paint much like you did with the rubbing compound.
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Preventing dull and faded auto body paint in NYC is certainly a challenge. Although regular washes can have a huge impact on the overall durability of your truck’s paint job, it’s near impossible to prevent dull and faded paint over a long period of time.
Follow these tips for a DIY touch-up. And the next time you need to call in the professionals, check out our Preferred Paint Service– complete with a three-year warranty and Fast Action color match guarantee!