Bought a car this festive season? Read this NOW!

  [caption id=“attachment_3142654” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] Image courtesy - oppositelock.kinja.com[/caption] We all love the way a car looks when it’s first driven out of the showroom. The spotless interiors, the new-car smell that we work hard to retain, the scratch free, perfectly shined paint. It’s perfect. But as soon as you buy a new car, you start worrying about it. You keep it covered and protected. You anxiously stare at every passer-by just in case they accidentally or deliberately end up damaging your car. For the first few days you personally try to keep it clean and shiny. But you know how polluted and congested India is. Before you know it, the car starts to lose its shine. You begin to notice imperfections, stains and scratches. But don’t worry. Here are 5 things you can do to keep your car looking clean and new for as long as you desire: Maintain your car’s shine   [caption id=“attachment_3142754” align=“aligncenter” width=“600”] Image courtesy - zero2turbo.com[/caption] Cleaning is the first step to maintaining your new car’s shine. And it doesn’t cost much to do it yourself. Shampoo it on a regular basis and you’re good to go. However, avoid using the wrong shampooas it can damage your car’s shine and colour because some shampoos are very aggressive on car paint. You need to know which product will best suit your car. You can also opt for a commercial power wash,but ensure there is a safe distance between the surface of your car and the water jet. To protect your car’s exterior paint,it is best to use a proper wax, such as a good quality carnauba wax. Avoid using a dyed wax, as that might be unsuitable for your car. Just 20 minutes is all you need every month to apply wax on the car’s painted surface to keep it free from environmental damages like UV Rays etc. A car guide or instruction manual can tell you just how much to use. You should also consider rust-proofingyour new car to protect it from any long-term damage and prolong its life. For any problem related to rust and corrosion,a product like 3M’s  Anti-Corrosion  treatment will protect your vehicle from the effects of water and time. Protect your car from scratches [caption id=“attachment_3142656” align=“aligncenter” width=“550”] Image courtesy - mulpix.com[/caption]   Scratches are one of the most common problems for cars, and a big worry for car owners.While small scratches can be removed by a proper rubbing and polishing process, deeper ones require primer treatment before you use any paint. An ideal way to prevent scratches, stains and chips from damaging the look of your new car is by using a  Paint Protection Film . Not only does this protect your car’s exteriors, but it also helps to maintain that brand-new look and can be installed anywhere on your car. It is most helpful on bumpers, door edges, OVRM’s and bonnets. Though there are other products available in the market today to help you remove stains, scratches and paint imperfections from your vehicle, the best way to do so is by optingfor an annual car maintenance package that can keep your car looking like new for more than a year. A similar package is the 3MTrizactPackage  which includes a series of Exterior and Interior detailing treatments that can clean and revitalize your car’s surface, engine compartment, glass, tires, and any vinyl or rubber parts retaining the newness of your car. These services are undertaken by professionals and enrolling in a package allows you to save a good amount of money in the long run. Park your car in a sheltered spot [caption id=“attachment_3142660” align=“aligncenter” width=“492”] Image courtesy - plus.google.com[/caption] When you park your car outdoors,it is bound to get dirty from bird droppings, dust and other debris. If your car is out in the open, there is a possibility that something will fall on its windscreen causing serious damage. In case you have no choice but to park your car out in the open, use a car care product like 3M Car Care’s UV Protect  treatment that serves as a repellant for harmful UV rays, and protects against acid rain, bird droppings and tree sap. Using such a protective coat for your vehicle will not only enhance its durability and shine but also will preserve the car’s painted surface for a longer time. However, if you reside in coastal parts of India, avoidparking your car under coconut trees in the monsoons. In such cases, it’s best to park your car in a sheltered environment to protect it and to increase its life. Keep the germs at bay [caption id=“attachment_3142662” align=“aligncenter” width=“502”] Image courtesy - pinterest.com[/caption]   You spend a lot of time in your car: driving to work, taking your spouse shopping or kids to school, and enjoying long drives. When you spend so much time inside your car, it is likely that germs and bacteria will build up.The problem is that you cannot see them, but they grow, and soon a new car starts smelling like an old one, and they cause other harms too. A visit to the nearest 3M Car Care store can help keep these germs at bay. A 3M GermKleen Plus treatment can clean your car thoroughly, not just visually, but also by removing 99% germs from the car and keep it smelling great. To prevent further germ buildup, Nomad Carmats from 3M can keep your car clean by trapping dirt from the soles of your shoes. These matshave an anti-fungal property that prevents germ-build up due to food dropped in the car. These mats are available in neutral shades that complement any color of car interiors and can be custom fitted to make sure that you get the maximum area covered on your car floor. Leave it to the professionals Another way to maintain your car’s look and shine is to head to a car care expert like 3M, which offers an array of treatments for your vehicle. You can opt for the 3M Wrap Film , a very popular product that enhances the aesthetics of your car. They can be digitally printed to feature different patterns and colour combinations. You can also choose from different finishes- Gloss, Matte and Carbon Fiber to give your car a different, yet appealing appearance. So, stop worrying about your new car. Put your faith in these car care services which offer the best treatments and services that renew the shine and attractiveness of your car. More importantly, professionals like 3M can ensure your car gets the best care, which also extends its life. This is partnered post.