Whether you want to sell your car or just want it to look like the day you bought it, there are a number of things that you can do to make it look like new. The best thing about restoring your car is that it doesn’t have to cost you an arm or a leg. Here are some handy tips you can follow.
Clean it out
Giving the interior a proper clean is the first place you should start on your road to renovation.
If you want to do a proper job, you should remove your seats and make sure you get into every nook and cranny of your car. Depending on the time you have available, this clean is going to take a couple of days to complete, but the results will be worth it.
Replace the floor mats
Your floor mats will have taken a beating over the years and probably need to be replaced. Inevitably, you are going to spend some money on replacing a couple of items on your car and the floor mats are a non-negotiable.
If they are worn, stained and walked through, no amount of cleaning is going to make them look like new. They are inexpensive and you can either get generic replacements, or go to a dealer and order the originals. It all depends on how much you want to spend.
Repair dents and scratches
The dents and scratches are like the interior of your car, you get to use to them and don’t see how they make your car look old. If you can’t afford a panel beater, then you can try any one of the DIY methods.
Scratch pens work like magic when you only want to get those superficial scratches off. Nevertheless, if you can, take your car to the shop and get the whole body checked out. It might cost you a bit of money, but your car will look like it came from the showroom floor.
Do your maintenance
If you want your car to look good and still drive like a new car, then you need to perform regular maintenance services and oil checks. Prevention is always better than a cure and if you keep to the servicing schedule that is prescribed in your owner’s manual, then you will save a lot of money in the long run.
The resale value of your car will also improve if the dealers can see that you kept your car in good mechanical order.
Clean your windows
Cleaning your car windows on the outside is not enough. You need to spend some time on the inside and make sure you get the grime off both sides. Your car is closed most of the time and moisture can become trapped and after a while, will stick to the inside of your windows.
A dirty windshield is noticed best while driving into the sun when your windshield will inevitably produce a glare. Some methylated spirits and newspaper works best to absorb the grime on the inside.
Get a couple of seat covers
As a rule of thumb, you should buy seat covers the day you buy your car. Your seats take a hammering and is the first part of your interior to show that the car was used, especially when you have kids.
Spills happen and you don’t want your seats to stain. Rather buy some seat covers and you know you are good to go, especially when you want to sell the car.
Get some new sound
Most newer models of cars have decent sound systems built in, but chances are that your older car does not. Upgrading the radio and speaker system is a great way to make your car fit in with the newer crowd.
You don’t have to go all Pimp my Ride and take up all the trunk space either. Nowadays, you can buy speakers that look great and deliver superior sound over your original speakers.
Windshield wipers
People who live in areas where they experience a great deal of rainy and winter weather will know the value of a good set of windshield wipers. Cleaning them every week with a microfiber cloth and replacing them every six months or so will go a long way in making your car look like new.
It’s a small item, but when someone takes the car for a test drive, they will know if your wipers are worn or not.
Treat the rubbers and plastics
The sun is merciless and will fade your plastics like your clothes. Treating your interior and exterior plastics is an ongoing thing and you should give them a good polish on a regular basis. Nothing makes a car look sadder than faded plastics and rubbers. A good polish gives them a healthy sheen and it smells good too.
If you want your car to look like new, then the best course of action is to do the small things regularly. Not everyone has the time to spend hours on looking after their cars, but if you do a little bit every now and then, you could cover all your bases quite regularly.
The biggest facelift for a car, though, is cleanliness. Keeping your car clean on the inside and out is the quickest way for your car to look like new. The effort you put in will also motivate you to keep it looking good.
Becky Holton is a journalist and a blogger at essay writing service. She is interested in education technologies and is always ready to support informative speaking at assignment writing service. Follow her on Twitter.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
