Stop Driving an Ugly Car: 4 Tips to Improve Its Look

Tony Mers • March 12, 2018

Are you sick of the way your old car looks? Then it’s time to make a change. You don’t have to sell your vehicle and buy a new one to get back to liking your car’s appearance. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to upgrade your ride without replacing it. Here are some things you can try that will help improve your car’s visual appearance:

Visit a car paint shop -- Painting a car can be a great way to give your vehicle a new look that you approve of. Whether you’ve had your current car for a few months or 10 years, a new paint job can give you a whole new appreciation for your vehicle’s look and feel. Painting a carshouldn’t be done by just anyone, however, which is why it’s best to visit a trusted and experienced paint shop.

Be careful driving during the winter -- Snow, ice, roadway salt, and all the other winter elements can really take a toll on your car’s appearance. If you really want to improve your car’s look, you’re going to have to take extra care during the winter months. In fact, if you have a classic or vintage car that's especially near and dear to your heart, it's best to keep it safely parked in the garage until spring arrives. Of course, most people can't afford to stop driving completely during the winter, which seems to last almost half the year here in Chicago. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your car's paint in the winter. First, be sure to use a waxing product on your car's exterior before the first snow falls. During the winter itself, take your car to a car wash once a month. Not only will this protect your car paint, it will also protect the undercarriage from all that ice, salt, and sludge.

Stay on-top of vehicle maintenance -- If your car is dinged up in any way, even if it’s just a small dent, it’s not going to look anything close to its best. In a recent survey, researchers found that an estimated 77% of vehicles were in need of maintenance and repairs at any given time. However, when a car is all banged up, many driver's are much less likely to stay on top of routine maintenance. Don’t let your car’s damage ruin its look, take care of any damage as soon as you can. Also, above all else, drive carefully !

Keep it clean -- It sounds simple enough but far too many vehicle owners let their cars get extremely dirty both inside and out. You should make sure that every inch of your car's interior is clean at all times and spend some time thoroughly washing it whenever the exterior is dirty.

If you want to learn more about painting a car or are in need of quality auto body services, contact River North Collision Repair right away.

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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.