The New Car Owner's Guide Vol 3: Car Paint

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In this week's edition of our New Car Owner’s Guide, we’re going acrylic! Yes, that’s right, we’ll be discussing the need-to-knows of the most visually noticeable thing about your car: its paint coating!

When we refer to or describe a car, its colour is arguably the most important identifying factor, followed by its make and model. Your car’s paintwork is its most distinctive feature without a doubt. Needless to say, it’s definitely something you should take note of.

But editorial intern senpai, isn’t paint just… paint?

Sure, but which paint colour should you opt for? Where are we on the paint vs wrap debate? How do you maintain and protect your car’s paint job? Read on to find out!

Colour

There’s a common misconception that red cars have the best resale value due to the commonly used phrase “Resale Red”. Many have assumed that this applies to all types of vehicles, but apparently it was initially used and applicable only to high-end convertibles like your Ferrari 488.

Research shows that yellow cars suffer the least from depreciation while their shiny younger brother, gold, depreciates the most. The safe bet is always to go for monochrome shades. Black, white, and grey cars look just fine in our opinion, and their depreciation rates aren’t that bad. Ultimately, if resale value isn’t a top concern, then go for what you love. The rationale being, if you’re in love with your car and its colour, the more likely you’ll be to keep it well-maintained!

Paint vs Wraps

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At some point in your car ownership journey, you might feel itchy and decide on switching things up when it comes to your vehicle colour. You’ll probably encounter the age-old debate of deciding between getting your car painted or opting for a vinyl wrap instead. There are several factors to consider here, but we’ll keep it simple for you.

A high-quality paint job can easily still be cheaper than a low-quality wrap, so if cost is your main concern, the former would probably be the better option. However, paint jobs usually drop resale value and you can’t simply remove it when you’re looking to put it up for sale. A wrap allows you this option for a fee, and generally has a lower turnover time than a full respray, as its application process is less tedious and time-consuming than the latter.

Taking Care of Your Car’s Exterior

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Metaphorically speaking, a car’s exterior is like your skin. There are various measures that you can, and should, apply to keep it in good condition. Here are three “skin care” measures you can take:

1. Park in sheltered areas

Harsh sun and rain can cause your car’s colour to fade and deteriorate over time. Parking in sheltered or shaded areas can help minimise exposure when your car is stationary!

2. Actively getting it washed

Bird droppings and debris such as fallen twigs and leaves can cause damage to your car’s exterior, especially if left on your vehicle over time. It can lead to paint peeling, and the corrosive nature of bird droppings can even lead to discolouration. Similarly, rainwater can contribute to the deterioration of your car’s colour due to its acidity, so wash (or at least wipe dry) your vehicle after a storm!

3. Regular waxing

Waxing is an underrated step in exterior maintenance. It provides you with a clear layer of protection that mitigates the effects of corrosive elements, such as acid rain and tree sap. Sure, opting for a wax might cost you more at the car wash but ultimately, getting your car repainted or wrapped will still cost way more!

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to your car’s exterior, and you might have to take into consideration more factors than expected, but that’s what we’re here for! If you have any other suggestions, be sure to leave them in the comments section below!

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