When your auto’s exterior looks good, chances are you feel good. Driving is especially enjoyable when you can climb behind the wheel of a shiny.With some preventative maintenance, it’s possible to maintain your vehicle’s paint job so that your car keeps looking like new.

Here are some steps to maintaining your car’s exterior:

1. Wash your car on a regular basis

The longer dirt, grime and environmental stains remain on a vehicle’s paint, the duller the paint becomes.

Keeping your car clean helps the paint retain a vibrant color and shine. Whether you wash your car yourself or take it to a car wash, ensure that all dust, dirt, and other damaging substances are completely removed.

2. Use cleaning products designed for autos

When washing your car, avoid using household cleaners, as they can be harsh and can damage vehicle paint. Always use a cleaner made for cars.

Choose wisely what you use to scrub the car, as the paint scratches easily. Opt for a terry detailing cloth or a microfiber.

Use a chamois to dry the surface of the car after washing. If you skip the drying step, your car is likely to develop mineral spots that can stain the paint when hit by the sun.

3.Waxing your car

Waxing your car protects the paint and finish. In essence, it seals the exterior and protects it from the elements, UV rays, salt, splattered insects and bird droppings, while it leaves the car looking shiny and new.

Car wax usually comes as a paste, liquid or cream.Before applying, either dip an applicator pad into the wax container (for pastes and creams) or pour a small amount onto the pad (liquid). Many waxes are sold with applicator pads, but they can also be purchased separately.

Apply wax to one section or panel of the vehicle at a time. Start by framing the section which is applying the wax along the edges in a straight line.

This gives you better control and helps prevent getting wax in and on unwanted areas, like plastic or rubber trim. Then fill in the rest of the area by wiping the wax on in a circular motion.

As it dries, the wax will form a haze. This usually just takes a few minutes. Use a clean, soft microfiber cloth to wipe away the haze.

Try to use one small section of the cloth when wiping each area, so you still have clean cloth to wipe the next section. Repeat this process over the entirety of the car's finish.

4.Maintain frequently

As a general rule of thumb, you should wash your vehicle every two weeks. That is if you're not driving down dirt roads daily or in an area where salt is used on the highways. This is under normal wear and tear circumstances.

For those who live near the ocean or where salt is used on the roads, you should wash it more frequently. This is because the salt can cause your vehicle to rust earlier than normal.

If you store your vehicle in your garage or if you do not drive it on a daily basis, you can do a car wash less often than that.

Remember that washing your car and having it detailed and waxed are for more than just the looks of the vehicle.

It helps to protect the investment you've put into your car. Whether you take it to a car wash or you do it yourself, remember to have it done on a regular basis to protect and beautify your ride.