How To Protect Your Car’s Paint in the Summer

River North Collision Repair • August 11, 2022

With the summer comes outdoor grilling, watersports, and beach days. But the summer can also be harsh on your vehicle’s exterior. Learn how to protect your car’s paint in the summer so that it doesn’t fade prematurely!

Stay in the Shade

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are exceptionally damaging to a car’s paint if exposed for prolonged periods. So, to keep your vehicle’s exterior looking new and vibrant, stay in the shade as much as possible during the summer.

Always park in the garage or a covered stall when possible, or at least somewhere that provides some shade. If you don’t have a garage or can’t afford covered parking, consider investing in an affordable but practical car cover to keep the UV rays off your car’s paint.

Pro Tip: Large trees provide shade, but they’re also hotbeds for bird leavings and tree sap. They’re typically best avoided.

Handwash Frequently

Cleaning your car does more than make it look pretty—it removes harmful contaminants from your vehicle’s exterior like mud, dust, pollen, bugs, and bird droppings. The longer these things linger on your car, the more embedded they can become to the paint and cause more damage.

A drive-through carwash may be convenient, but their tough and coarse bristles can be rough on a paint job. Wash your car by hand frequently and dry it with a chamois or microfiber cloth to preserve your vehicle’s exterior.

Wax On

Car wax isn’t just about making your vehicle shine like new—it’s also about adding a protective layer to the exterior that keeps dust, bugs, and UV rays off the paint. A layer of wax is like a clear-coated shield for your vehicle’s exterior.

You can find car wax at practically any auto paint shop. Most any wax will do the trick, but carnauba is the preferred wax for most collectors. You should wax your vehicle every three months to protect the paint and ensure it gleams like new.

Add Protective Film

If you want to go the extra mile, you can invest in a paint protective film (PPF). PPF is similar to heavy-duty wax—it’ll make your vehicle’s paint gleam while adding a robust layer of protection to the exterior.

It’s more costly than typical wax, but you only have to add PPF once a year, and there’s no denying the protection and the results it offers.

Now you know how to protect your car’s paint in the summer! If you’re ready to give your vehicle a new paint job, consult with the paint experts at River North Collision Repair.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.