Every time you take your car onto the road, you open it up to the risk of damage from a wide variety of threats – either from other cars, stones and gravel thrown up from the side of the road, projectiles or damage from elements like hail.
Integrating protective car accessories and equipment makes solid financial sense. Repairs to paint and bodywork can be exorbitant and insurance companies will usually expect you to pay an excess that is more than the cost of the protective equipment. With this in mind, let’s take a quick look at some of the most effective products available on the market, to keep your car looking pristine and new for longer.
Panel Protection
Car bonnet – One of the most vulnerable surfaces on a car is the bonnet or hood due to stone and pebble damage. Unlike their older counterparts, contemporary car bonnet protectors are specifically designed to be uniquely moulded and fitted to individual models of vehicles. This makes them unobtrusive and ensures perfect, seamless integration with the aesthetics of your car. Modern car bonnet protectors are also aerodynamically designed to reduce wind noise and air turbulence and are sleek and beautiful accessories. Look for car bonnet protectors that are made from long-lasting, UV-resistant materials to avoid fading and cracking.
Bonnet protectors can often be bought as a package with other protection like window visors which are designed to mitigate rain and wind – protecting both your car’s interior and your hair!
Door panels – Other vulnerable panels like door edges can be protected through the use of adhesive silicon pads which can be positioned to protect your car when parked from doors opening into panels. If you have small children, silicone pads can also protect neighbouring vehicles when kids swing their doors open. Pads come in many forms and cost very little compared to the money they will save in the long run.
Mirrors – Side mirrors are notorious for being prone to damage from passing cyclists and other vehicles. Stylish side mirror covers are available for a wide range of car models and are simple to install. Look for mirror covers that are made from high-quality materials and able to withstand UV rays and harsh weather conditions.
Bumper bars – These are the ultimate protection from being backed into or rear-ended when driving. They are also perfect for protecting your car when parked.
Paintwork
There is a wide range of waxes on the market, specifically crafted to add a protective coating to paintwork to make it more durable and less prone to scratches. Look for a wax containing carnauba, a 100% natural, hard wax that results in a superb, gloss finish. Derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm, the wax has been used for decades as a quality polish for surfboards, furniture and on speedboat hulls to enhance speed and protect against the corrosiveness of salt water.
In a recent rating of the best car waxes for 2024, carnauba wax was an element in two of the top four car waxes.
Windscreen Damage
One of the biggest and most expensive threats to a car is debris hitting and damaging the windscreen. Speed can be a factor in windscreen damage, particularly where roadworks are being carried out, so it pays to heed speed limits. On roads with loose gravel shoulders, avoid driving too closely to other vehicles, particularly behind large trucks but even oncoming trucks pose a threat. If approaching a truck on a highway, slow down and move as far to the side of the road as possible.
If you do experience a small chip in your windscreen, take it immediately to a company that specialises in windscreen repairs. If the chip is smaller than a 50-cent piece, it may be possible to repair it for around $50, which is affordable enough to make it worth a try.
There are an increasing number of companies offering windscreen film as a protective coating. The film is purported to improve wet weather vision as well as make the windscreen chip scratch-resistant. If you spend long periods of time driving on rough roads or highways, it may be worth investigating their effectiveness.
The Benefits
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Nobody wants to pay for car repairs or go through the hassle of an insurance claim. The solution is simple. Just as protective coverings on outdoor furniture extend their usefulness and value, integrating accessories that safeguard your car’s exterior, keep it looking beautiful for longer, save money and preserves its resale value.
