Every car, even with the most thorough care and maintenance, is not insured against paint damage.
Every car, even with the most thorough care, is susceptible to paint damage (LCP). Scratches and chips not only spoil the appearance but also pave the way for corrosion to the metal. Unfortunately, no universal method has yet been invented that fully protects the body. However, there are several effective solutions that really help extend the life and shine of the body.
We tested a number of popular protection methods — from regular washing to ceramics and liquid rubber — and share only what actually works.
An indoor parking lot or garage is the best choice. If this is not possible, try to park the car in the shade and away from trees.
Ultraviolet, sharp temperature changes, rain, and dust destroy LCP, especially in the hood and roof area. According to Auto Bild magazine tests, in two summer seasons, the unprotected LCP can fade by 10–15%.
A clean car is not just aesthetics but protection. Dust, reagents, bird droppings, and insects contain acids and salts that corrode the varnish.
We tested touchless washing on an old car — after a month of active washing without protection, micro-scratches appeared on the hood.
This is not only shine but also real protection against minor scratches and oxidation.
Types:
In practice, manual polishing can be done by yourself with a microfiber cloth and a Turtle Wax type paste. It takes 1.5–2 hours to process the entire car.
An affordable way to "seal" the body for half a year to a year. This is a polymer composition that gives shine and increases the hardness of the top layer. We tested a composition from Willson (Japan) — protection lasted up to 8 months with regular washing.
Application:
Do not use in cold or heat (ideal — 18–22 °C).
Maximum level of protection against chips and abrasive wear.
Options:
Nuances:
Film wrapping requires experience — trying to do it yourself almost always leads to bubbles and defects. It's better to trust the work to professionals.
Budget:
You can save by wrapping only vulnerable areas: hood, bumper, sills.
If you want professional protection for 1.5–2 years — ceramics is your choice.
Composition includes: silicon dioxide, aluminum, and titanium oxides — creating a hard "shell" on the body.
A couple of nuances:
For example, Gyeon Quartz coating after winter still gives a lotus effect. But it is important to take proper care — do not use alkaline shampoos.
This is not quite protection in the classical sense, but an excellent way to temporally and cheaply protect the body — especially for tuning and summer trips.
Advantages:
Suitable for experiments. We applied matte black Plasti Dip on the hood — it's effective, protects, but does not save from gasoline.
Which method to choose — depends on your budget, driving style, and how much time you are willing to spend on care. If you want something cheap — liquid glass or manual polishing. Want to forget about protection for a couple of years — polyurethane film or ceramics.
But the main thing — regular care and washing.