Top Benefits of Paint Protection and Paint Correction
Let’s be honest: car paint correction and protection services don’t come cheap. Depending on the make and size of the car, extent of damage, and specific service rendered, you can expect to pay at least $500.
This raises the question: “Is paint correction/protection necessary?” The short answer to this is a resounding yes! It’s true that you’ll spend a considerable amount of money to enjoy this service. However, the benefits you reap far outweigh the initial cost of investment.
If you’re still on the fence, I have highlighted five benefits you stand to gain from paint correction and protection services.
Overview of Paint Correction and Paint Protection
Before we dive into the benefits, it’s important to note that paint correction and protection are two distinct services.
Paint correction is the procedure that precedes paint protection. More specifically, it’s an auto detailing process designed to eliminate minor scratches, swirl marks, hazing, and marring.
The procedure is typically done using specialized equipment and polishing compounds. They’re used to remove microscopic layers of the outermost coat until the surface becomes smooth.
Once this happens, a reinforcement layer comprising car wax, ceramic, or graphene coating can be added. This latter stage of recoating the car with a reinforcement layer is what’s known as paint protection. So, why go through the trouble of paint correction and protection? Here’s a list of benefits you stand to gain:
The Benefits
Preserve Your Car’s Paint and Finish
As its name suggests, the greatest benefit of these two services is that they protect your car’s paint and finish.
Ideally, a car’s paint is expected to last between 10 and 15 years. However, this rarely happens due to constant exposure to elements that cause it to fade or get damaged. Adding a paint protection film is your best bet at preserving the current paint/finish.
Long-Lasting UV Protection
You’re already familiar with the damaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays on human skin- the peeling sunburns you get in the hot summer weather are evidence enough.
But did you know that they also cause severe damage to car paint? That’s right. The UV radiation causes the chemical bonds binding the paint together to break down.
This weakens the paint, which is why it starts to lose its color and peel off. The breakdown compromises the paint’s outermost protective layer, leaving it even more susceptible to environmental hazards.
The best way to protect your car’s paint from such sun damage is to install a protective film like
Graphene or ceramic coating.
Prevent Acid Corrosion
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see bird droppings on your car? They look unsightly, right?
This is true, especially when an entire flock uses your car’s roof for target practice. But more than ruining your car’s aesthetic appeal, bird poop can also cause serious damage to the paint job.
One thing that many don’t know is that bird droppings are acidic, boasting a pH level of 3.5 to 4.5. So, when left to sit on the car paint for an extended period, they eat away at it.
A car sealant, wax, or coating offers a foolproof solution to corrosive elements. Ceramic and graphene coatings, in particular, bind to the car’s paint to create a slick surface. This allows bird droppings and other moisture-based pollutants to slide off instead of adhering to the surface.
Easier Maintenance
In addition to protecting your car from a myriad of things, protection coatings have the added benefit of making maintenance a breeze. Here’s the deal: protective films like graphene and ceramic coatings work by binding directly with the car paint. This creates a powerful exterior layer, which is dirt- and water-repellant.
As a result, any dirt, grime, or water that ends up on the surface attaches very loosely. With a quick jet, these pollutants slide off the surface with incredible ease.
Without these protective films, the dirt or grime bonds with the paint, making cleaning and maintenance harder.
Protection Against Paint Chips and Scratches
Whenever you take your car on the road, there’s a chance of it getting pelted with tiny rocks, debris, gravel, and other road hazards.
In trivial cases, the car will only end up with minuscule scratches, which are barely visible. But, in the worst-case scenarios, it could wind up with hideous chips and dents. This affects its look and leaves the paint susceptible to further damage.
Through paint protection services, you can have a reinforcement layer added. This acts as a shield against all sorts of road debris, thus protecting the layer of car paint underneath.
Maintain Resale Value
The more miles you rack up on your car, the faster it depreciates and the lower the resale price. As such, most people like to resell or trade in their cars at or before the 100,000 mileage mark. If this is your plan, you’ll want to protect the original paint job at all costs. Any dent, scratch, or swirl mark means the buyer has the upper hand and can negotiate for a lower price.
If you want to maintain your car’s pristine allure and, subsequently, its resale value, paint protection is the answer. Adding a reinforcement layer ensures the original paintwork is well-protected from UV damage, gravel splatter, corrosive bird droppings, and other threats.
Conclusion
Like most car owners, you’ve probably never taken paint correction and protection services seriously. Not unless your automobile has sustained a scratch or dent from road debris or collision.
But as explained in this article, these aren’t services you should neglect. Although they require an upfront investment, they offer so many advantages that make them worthwhile. For one, you won’t have to worry about bird droppings or tree sap corroding your car’s paint. You also won’t have to worry about road debris like gravel causing paint chips and scratches.
Paint protection also offers long-lasting UV protection, preserving the original paint and finish. These factors combined ensure optimal resale value, which is handy for individuals looking to sell their automobiles after a while.
