Your car’s paint does more than make it look good; it’s your vehicle’s first line of defense against the elements. One inevitable aspect of your paint’s functionality, however, is that it will fade over time as it’s exposed to those elements. When that happens, you’ll need to repaint or repair the bumper.

Bumper paint repair is, for the most part, unavoidable, but you can take steps to prevent your paint from fading and help it last as long as possible. Here are some of the biggest reasons why your bumper paint fades.

1. Sunlight exposure

One of the main reasons for bumper paint fading is exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. UV rays can cause your vehicle’s paint to discolor, fade and become brittle, even peeling away over time.

To minimize this damage, always park your car in a garage or an area with shade. If you don’t have access to a covered parking area, consider buying a car cover as an affordable alternative. You can also purchase UV-resistant car wax or sealant to further delay any sun damage.

2. Salt corrosion

Whether you live in a coastal area or a snowy climate, your car is likely to be exposed to salt. Unfortunately, salt can cause your bumper paint to corrode and fade over time, so try to avoid your vehicle’s exposure to salt as often as possible.

The easiest way to do this is to wash your car regularly, especially after a drive near the water or after a big snowfall. While you can’t prevent salt from making contact with your car altogether, you can shield your vehicle with a coat of wax or paint protection film. This will prevent the salt from sticking to and eroding your car’s paint, delaying your need for bumper paint repair.

3. Air pollution

We know that air pollution is bad for many things, but did you know it’s harmful to your car’s paint job? Vehicle exhaust and other pollutants can cause paint to fade and become discolored over time. 

If you live in a densely populated city, wash your car often and use a wax or sealant to help protect your vehicle’s paint. A ceramic coating can also help keep pollutants at bay.

4. Abrasive cleaning solutions

If you wash your car at home, you may have made the common mistake of washing it with a dish soap solution. While many people think dish soap is a suitable cleaning solution for washing your car, it actually contains harmful chemicals that can strip away your car’s protective coating. 

With this coating removed, your car’s paint is likely to fade rapidly, requiring bumper paint repair. To preserve the integrity of your car’s paint job, always clean your car using a cleaning solution specially designed for use on vehicles. These are widely available at any auto store and most big box retailers.

5. Automated carwashes

If you think you’ve saved your car’s paint by taking it to a carwash instead of washing it with dish soap, think again. Automated car washes are some of the biggest culprits of damaged paint jobs.

The coarse brushes used by drive-through car washes can scratch your vehicle’s paint and strip it of its protective coating. Instead, handwash your vehicle or take it to a professional car wash where employees will handwash your car.

If you have faded bumper paint and need a quick touch-up, there’s no need to stress. Bumper Buddies makes the paint repair process easier than ever with a hassle-free process that comes to you to repair all damage. 

We perform all of our repairs with top-of-the-line PPG paints and supplies. We use your car’s VIN to find the exact paint color required for the job and blend our PPG paints with the surrounding area to provide a 100 percent color match and a flawless appearance. There’ll never be any discoloration or unsightly patches, and no one will know that it isn’t your car’s original paint job. 

Our process is exactly the same as an auto body repair shop’s, so you’re receiving the same standard and quality with the convenience of mobile bumper repair service. Whether you’re at work or home, we’ll travel to your location and repair your vehicle’s paint job in just a matter of hours. To receive a free estimate for Bumper Buddies mobile dent repair, give us a call today at 888-711-5074, text us at 949-799-1413, or contact us online.