Step-by-Step Guide to Polishing Your Car’s Paint
I somehow had a double mind while creating this post because mechanics or paint dealers may tag me as “a bad person” for sharing for free what they are using to collect money from their customers. But then, on another thought, this post will be helpful to the mechanics too as I will be sharing deep secrets they may not know about. One hot afternoon, I looked out through my balcony and discovered that my car was not shining the way it used to. I could not tell if it was because of the Nigerian sun or the harmattan dust, all I knew was that my car paint had faded. I consulted my mechanic friends, did some research, and viola, I saw what was missing- polishing! I learned how to polish my car’s paint myself and since then, I have not complained of faded paint again. In a country with harsh weather conditions, there is every need to polish your car’s paint from time to time to maintain its color. The sweet thing about this is that you don’t have to be a professional to do it. Just have the right tools, the right knowledge, and some patience. I will through this article teach you all the steps you need to polish your car’s paint like a pro. If I were you, I would get my book and pen and jot down some things. Let’s get started already! Why Polishing Matters for Car Paints You may be thinking that polishing your car’s paint is just for the aesthetics, but it is more than that. It will help in protection as well. Polishing your car’s paint regularly helps to remove some minor marks and scratches that are bound to happen due to traffic conditions and daily usage. It will also boost the vehicle’s resale value in case you want to sell it off, and many other things. Maintaining your car paint is an investment worth making. Isn’t it? Step-by-Step Guide to Polishing Your Car Paint Here are the steps you can follow to ensure that your car is shining always. Read through with rapt attention. 1. Thorough Washing of the Car This is the first step you have to take. Before you talk about polishing, the car must be free from dirt and grime first. Do not make the mistake of skipping this step as it can lead to dirt getting trapped under the polish. To wash your car properly, do the following; · Make use of quality car shampoo: These common detergents we use have effects on the car paints. They strip away wax, and you may not notice it in the beginning till it is late. It is advisable to go for shampoo specialized for car wash. · Wash in cool temperatures: If you wash your car under the sun where the soap dries before you come to rinse, you may want to stop that and start washing it under shade or maybe in the morning and evening when the temperatures are cooler. · Rinse after washing: Please use enough water to rinse the surface after washing, and allow the car to dry completely. 2. Do a quick inspection of the paint surface This is the second step to take after your car is cleaned. Check for all the minor damages that may have happened on the paint. It is necessary to spot them before you start polishing. Things to check out for are; · Scratches: This can come from using external objects on the car. A typical example is children scratching the car with stones while playing. · Swirl Marks: This one happens when there is an improper washing technique. They are the small scratches that occur when the techniques for washing are wrong. · Oxidation: This can be due to much exposure to the sun thereby making the paint oxidize and look dull. 3. Selecting the Right Polish Here, you will have to put on your thinking cap. Not all polish can withstand the harsh weather conditions in Nigeria. There are two types of car polish; · The cutting polish: Has abrasives that help to remove a thin layer of the clear coat, thereby covering deep scratches and marks. · The finishing polish: This one is used to shine and smoothen the car’s paint surface after applying the cutting polish. Now you may ask, is there any polish you can recommend as regards to this? Yes, there is! Latico clear coat polish from Fidel Associates is designed to provide a lasting shine on your car paint. It does not only remove scratches but also gives long-lasting protection. 4. Apply The Polish After you have chosen the right polish, the next step is to apply it. This can be done using a machine polisher or your hand. If you are polishing by hand, get a foam applicator pad to apply the polish in a small circular motion. Work in sections to avoid drying before it is evenly distributed. Just pick a part, ensure even coverage, and then choose another part. If you are using a machine polisher, apply a small amount of polish to the polishing pad. Start with a low speed to evenly spread the polish. Move the polishing pad in overlapping motions to obtain the best results. 5. Buff The Surface It is not enough to polish the car and leave it, you have to buff off the polish in order to completely expose the shine. You use a microfiber towel to do this. Make sure it is soft to avoid scratching. Gently apply pressure and work in circular motions for maximum results. Check for further leftover polish, and immediately buff it out to avoid streaks. 6. Apply Wax for Extra Protection This is optional to do, but it is good if you
Best Paint Options for Commercial Vehicles in Nigeria
Let me tell you something: if you drive a bus, taxi, or even delivery van, your car must experience wear and tear because of daily usage, exposure to the sun and rain, and rough roads. The best thing you can do for your car is invest in the right paint option. It’s a fact that Nigerians can forgo patronizing you because your car is not shining. It’s very funny, but it is true. I know you will not want to joke with your daily grind, so read this article to the last sentence to discover the best paint option for your vehicle. As a leading paint distributor in Nigeria, Fidel Associates brings you a guide on what to look out for in paints for commercial vehicles in Nigeria. Whether you are running a logistics brand, a public transport service, or even using your own vehicle for daily operations, this article will be very helpful to you. Let’s get started already! Do Paint Matter for Commercial Vehicles in Nigeria? Commercial vehicles are not just for transportation; they can serve as an advert for a brand too. The way these vehicles appear every time can change the way customers see the brand. Customers can perceive it as a big brand or those who are not serious in business based on the paints. A well-painted clean vehicle will always beat a poorly maintained vehicle any time any day. Quote me anywhere! Paint is not just about aesthetics, it conveys reliability and professionalism too. Nigerian roads and the harsh weather will tell on your car, it’s inevitable. Constant exposure to the sun and dust will fade or even peel damage the paints. Instead of repainting every few years, why not go for the best paint option and polish it only from time to time? Think about it. What Should I Look for in Paint for Commercial Vehicles? These are the important things you should put into consideration when looking for good vehicle paint, particularly for commercial use. Read through carefully. 1. Durability Paints that can’t resist scratches, sun, or other effects of the weather are not a good one to go for as commercial vehicles are always exposed to harsh conditions. 2. Easy maintenance Commercial vehicles demand regular washing and maintenance. It is not so advisable to go for paints that are so difficult to maintain. 3. Color retention A good paint should have the ability to retain its color for a long time. In Nigeria, the rays from the sun alone are strong enough to fade your paint if it is not high-quality. Rust Protection A good paint should prevent rust from the vehicle’s body. It should serve as a barrier between the body of the car and rust. Best Paint Options for Commercial Vehicles in Nigeria Having known things you should look out for in a vehicle paint as well as why paint matters for commercial vehicles, let’s now see some of the best paint options that commercial vehicles in Nigeria can go for. 1. KAPCI 600 Series Automotive Paints This is the first on our list. You can never talk about durability or reliability without mentioning the KAPCI 600 series. It is specially designed for industrial and commercial vehicles, as it protects against scratches and other harsh weather conditions. It comes in different colors and offers good adhesion to the vehicle’s body. If you are looking for paint that is excellent weather-resistant, scratch and chip-resistant, and cost-effective as well, this paint option is the best to go for. The beautiful thing is that you can get yours through Fidel Associates which is Nigeria’s Choice for premium and quality car paints. 2. Acrylic Enamel Paint The first thing that comes to mind at the mention of Acrylic Enamel Paint is usually tough finish and long-lasting shine. This paint brand over delivers when it comes to resisting both weather and road conditions, as it usually forms a hard layer on the surface of the vehicle it was applied to. It has a high gloss finish that makes your vehicle always look fresh and appealing, as well as an excellent level of protection against rust. This paint option comes in diverse colors so you can make your choice. If you are looking for beauty and durability, get this paint option today. 3. Single-Stage Urethane Paint This is another excellent option to go for as a commercial driver if you want a quick application and good results too. This paint option combines both the clear coat and the base coat together, making it very fast to be applied. This paint after application leaves your vehicle with a durable glossy finish. One thing I like about it is that it saves time, but still gives that durability that you need in paint as it provides excellent resistance to scratches and chips. It is also budget-friendly. 4. Polyurethane Paint This particular paint behaves like the Acrylic Enamel that forms a hard layer on the surface it was applied to, to prevent scratches. Polyurethane forms a thick coat that stands against cracks, peeling, chips, and others. It is usually recommended for trucks and buses that are always on the road, or under heavy use. It gives durability, rust prevention, and resistance against the UV rays from the sun. Do you want a long-term paint investment on your vehicle even with heavy use? Go for this paint option. 5. KAPCI Clear Coats This is not a paint, but a shield to that high-quality paint in your vehicle. It was designed to provide an additional layer of protection from the sun’s rays, thereby enhancing the durability of your vehicle’s paint and making it shine longer. It does not only protect from scratches and environmental damages but ensures that your vehicle exudes reliability and professionalism. The best KAPCI clear coats on the market today are supplied by Fidel Associates, a trusted paint importer. Conclusion Choosing the right paint for your commercial vehicle is one of the best investments you can
Understanding Car Paint Codes: A Guide for Nigerians
I laughed hysterically when one of my friends who was a new car owner narrated his ordeal with a mechanic to me. He said that after getting his Toyota Corolla, he drove straight to a mechanic workshop in Lagos to do a few touch-ups on the car. As the mechanic was about to start work, he asked him for the car paint code. My friend was not only confused, but annoyed. To him, his car is already white, and any touch-up should be white paint too. I almost fell off while laughing. What he failed to understand was that there are more than ten shades of white, and if proper paint code is not used, his car may end up being like someone wearing a mismatched outfit. I took my time to explain to him, even though he told me the mechanic had already. So in this post, I will explain everything I told my friend to you as well so you won’t get confused when you are asked your car paint codes. Let’s get started already. What Are Car Paint Codes? Car paint codes are labels the manufacturers place on vehicles to indicate the particular shade of paint that was used on the vehicle when it was manufactured. Depending on the type of car, they can come in just letters or a combination of letters and figures. You will think that every red or blue is the same until you use the improper paint code, then you will understand the variations. Knowing the right code helps you or your mechanic to make the right paint mix that matches your car perfectly. Do Car Paint Codes Matter in Nigeria? Yes, of course! I mean do Nigerians not like good things? Have you seen a black car where one side of the body looks slightly grey? That’s what happens when you do guesswork and do not use the exact paint code for your vehicle. Aside from the beauty, it would give you, knowing your car pain code helps increase your car’s resale value as buyers are quick to spot mismatching colors in a car thereby labeling the car an accidental or flooded one. I know you won’t want something like that. How Do I Find My Car’s Paint Code? You have to pay rapt attention here. I’m about to disclose an important part of why you are reading this post. Knowing that there is something called car paint code, your next question should be how do I find mine? Right? Below are places where you can find your car paint code; 1. Inside the driver’s door frame There are usually small stickers or metal that contain all the details of the car, including the paint code on the driver’s door frame. You will get information like the engine specs, tire information, paint code, etc. 2. Under the bonnet Some cars have their paint codes pasted under the bonnet near the engine. 3. Car trunk Sometimes, you can also find it near the spare tire compartment inside the trunk. 4. The car’s manual There is also a possibility that the manufacturers mentioned in the manual the particular spot where you can find the paint code in case you didn’t see it from all I’ve mentioned above. Understanding Car Paint Codes When you see a car paint code, it may look complex, but each code refers to a specific formula used by the manufacturers to create the shade of paint on your car. Some of the paint codes are; · For Honda: Codes may start with NH. NH578 means taffeta white. · For Toyota: There are codes like 1G3, 1F7, etc. · For Ford: There are codes like SD/M6776, F7/M6074, etc. · For Nissan: Codes like KH3, K36, etc. · For Hyundai: Codes like YP5, R2T, etc. Different brands of cars use different paint code formats, but the summary is that it would give the exact paint shade you are looking for. Common Car Paint Code Mistakes Made by Nigerians & Consequences The mistake most Nigerians make is doing guesswork on the paint code. This always has in the end led to the following; · Mismatching colors: When you do a touch-up without the right paint code, the car will have more than one color leading to color inconsistency. · Decreased value while reselling: As I earlier mentioned, a car with more than one paint shade can easily be tagged an accident car which may scare buyers away. · Waste of resources: Of course, in a case where your paint is not as it should be, you have wasted money, and will have to redo the painting. Conclusion At this juncture, I can say that I have been able to give you a complete guide on car paint codes as a Nigerian. Do yourself more good by rereading this article, and putting to practice all you’ve learned here. Whether you are driving a Nissan, a Toyota, or a BMW, knowing your car’s paint code will save you from embarrassment and necessary questions at mechanic shops or paint stores. Get the exact paint shade of your car today from Fidel Associates today! Editor’s Recommendations