Premature Paint Fading

Over time, your car's paint paint may fade to a lighter tone. This is phenomenon is primarily the result of oxidation causes by oxygen, moisture and sunlight. As these elements come into contact with your car, they cause the paint to break down and degrade, resulting in a lighter tone. While you can't control the weather, however, there are ways to protect your car's paint from fading, including the following.

Wash Frequently

Washing your car on a regular basis is the first step to protecting it from fading. A good rule of thumb is to wash your car at least once every other week with a high-quality automotive detergent, water and a sponge. This will eliminate stubborn dirt and debris, ensuring that it doesn't degrade your car's paint.

Park in a Garage

When given the option between parking in a garage or outside in a parking lot, choose the former. Parking in a garage will naturally protect your car from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays as well as rain, sleet and snow. So, if your garage is currently packed with old furniture and boxes, perhaps it's time to clean it out. Once you've cleared out your garage, you can begin parking here to protect your car's paint from fading.

Use a Cover

If you're unable to park in a garage, consider using a car cover instead. Available for as little as $30 to $50, car covers are large weatherproof blankets that you can place over your car to protect it from the elements. It only takes a few minutes to toss a cover over your car, but doing so could extend the life of its paint job by several years.

Wax Occasionally

You don't need to wax your car every time you wash it, but you should still wax it on occasion. Waxing adds a protective layer over the clear coat, giving your car an extra barrier of protection against the elements. With that said, waxing it too often will result in a buildup of wax that can actually ruin the clear coat. Therefore, it's recommended that you wax your car no more than once every three to four months.

Statistics show that the average cost of a single-coat automotive paint job is about $400 to $900 in the United States. For a mid- or high-level paint job, you can expect to pay even more. You can stretch out your car's existing paint job a little longer, however, by following the tips outlined here.