You just got a winter front grille cover and want to know what else you can do to protect your truck. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to keep your vehicle’s exterior in top shape. With these 10 steps, you can extend the life of your truck’s paint job and prevent rust.
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10 Steps to Protect Your Truck Exterior
1. Use a Guard
If you spend any time off-roading, you need a guard. Dirt, rocks, and even grass kicked up by the tires can scratch the grille. A guard protects it against anything nature throws its way.
2. Limit Damage
You try to avoid collisions at all costs, but sometimes it’s out of your hands. If you see a crash coming, try to limit the damage to yourself first and the vehicle second.
For example, if a car is coming at you head-on, turn your truck, so the empty passenger’s side gets the brunt of it. If you have a grille guard, you can use that to prevent damage to the rest of your car.
3. Use a Spot-Cleaning Kit
Keeping a spot-cleaning kit on hand ensures you can address dirt whenever it strikes. It’s especially important to wash away bird droppings, which can eat through wax and paint.
4. Park Away From Other Cars
Not everyone is great at parking or careful about opening their doors. To prevent dings, park away from other cars.
5. Clean Before Waxing
Waxing makes your car shine, and it creates a barrier between the paint job and the elements. However, waxing without cleaning is detrimental. Small bits of dirt can scrape the exterior as you buff, leaving scratches that are too small to see but big enough to cause problems.
6. Wash by Hand
How often do the brushes in automatic car washes get cleaned? Not often enough. If you run your truck through an auto-wash, you’re exposing it to all the grime of vehicles that came before it. It’s better to wash your car by hand so you can pay attention to detail.
7. Use the Right Towels
Even Steelcraft grill guards can get scratched if you aren’t careful. Towels can damage exteriors if they’re too rough, creating opportunities for rust to form. To ensure your truck’s paint remains unharmed, you should use microfiber towels for washing and waxing.
8. Store Your Car Inside
Your garage is the best place to store your car, especially during the winter. If you can, run your HVAC system control to minimize the amount of moisture your truck is exposed to.
9. Get a Car Cover
If you must store your car outside, make sure you get a car cover. These protective coverings shield your truck from a variety of dangers:
- Windborne debris
- Rain and snow
- UV rays
10. Fix Dents
Dents may seem like aesthetic concerns, but they can lead to more significant problems down the road. Additionally, even minor dents make a truck look older than it actually is.
Now that you know the best ways to protect your truck, it’s time to install a Black Horse classic black grille guard and get ready for a weekend of fun. The better you care for your vehicle, the longer you have to enjoy it.
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