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How do you prevent oxidation on car paint?

My car's paint job is starting to look dull. I remember from when I was a kid that my mom's car oxidized and looked horrible. How can I protect the paint and prevent it from oxidizing?

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Lauren Smith · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Your car paint will eventually oxidize over time due to prolonged exposure to the elements, but with simple car maintenance, you can put off the inevitable.
Simple ways to protect your car’s paint include:
  • Wash your car frequently with car soap or car wash. Don’t use dish soap or anything you’d use to clean your house; these won’t help your car’s paint and might hasten the oxidation and damage to your paint.
  • Wax your car. Think of wax as your car’s sunblock. This helps protect the paint of your vehicle. Pick liquid or paste style wax to protect your vehicle better.
  • Park in the shade or enclosed spaces. Parking your car in the sun and elements can wear away those protective layers in the paint.
There are also signs for when your car’s paint has begun to oxidize. These include:
  • Dulling of color
  • Losing its shine
  • Cloudy
  • White spots
  • Flaking
When this happens, you should take your car to a professional to get it
repainted
. Untreated oxidation on a car can lead to rust, which can damage your vehicle.
You want only the best for your car to help it last longer. Just like you regularly maintain your car, check in on your car insurance to ensure you’re getting the best deal for the coverage you need. The
Jerry
app makes this easy. Licensed agents automatically review your policy every six months and send the best deals to your phone. The average Jerry driver saves $879 a year on car insurance!
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