Blog

How to Protect Your Paint Job

Black Honda with water droplets during professional detailing and paint protection service at Priority Honda Roanoke

Keep your investment looking new and dashing for as long as possible with the tips listed below! By protecting your paint job, you'll increase your vehicle's resale value. Find out how easy it is to take care of your car's paint job below!

Get it Pressure Washed

Salt and road dirt build up on the undercarriage of the car when you drive on snowy, icy roads during the winter months. This is nearly impossible to see but can break loose as you're driving and move around to other parts of the car. If this occurs, it can cause significant damage to your vehicle.

When there is a break between snowstorms, head to a car wash for a pressure wash service. Make sure to add the undercarriage wash to get rid of salt and grime, since this area is hard to reach. Washing your car regularly is another easy way to protect the paint, especially throughout the colder months of the year.

Apply a Protective Layer

When the temperatures drop, many people put on gloves to protect their hands from the harsh conditions. Your vehicle needs similar protection from the elements, and a coat of wax is the perfect option. There are several choices on the market, from wax products that have a glossy, shiny finish to those that offer a matte look, spray-on to wipe-on, and everything in between.

Find the product that works best for you and that you'll actually use since it won't do you much good sitting in your garage all winter. A coat of wax helps to protect the paint from sleet, rain, snow, salt, and other grime on the roads.

Reconsider Your Ice Scraper

Getting ice off your car is a safety concern that must happen before you drive, but hard plastic scrapers can cause damage to painted areas if your hand slips. Instead of one of these, opt for a soft-bristled or foam brush to gently wipe away snow and ice. In order to melt the ice, turn on the defrost system in the car to get the temperature up since this will make it easier to sweep away the frosty parts instead of scraping vigorously.

Take Protection a Step Further

If a coating of wax isn't doing enough to protect your paint job, you may want to invest in auto paint protection film that covers the exterior of your vehicle. Often referred to as a clear bra, this film goes on transparent and protects the paint from chips, dings, dents, and other damage. The most common areas to apply it are around the headlights and front bumper since these tend to take a lot of abuse when tires kick up rocks and other debris from the road.

Keep your car's paint looking nice and new by following these simple tips, no matter what season is coming!

Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Recommended Posts

Green Honda Odyssey minivan parked at county fair with Ferris wheel and colorful balloons in background

A Buyer's Guide to the 2021 Honda Odyssey

Every detail comes together in the new 2021 Honda Odyssey to give you an outstanding driving experience. With modern conveniences and advanced safety systems, this minivan can handle both play, recreation, and tasks! Read on to find out more about the impressive 2021 Honda Odyssey. Easy Accessibility This minivan holds up to 8 passengers and provides up to 158 cubic feet of cargo. All 8 passengers can easily reach their seats with power-sliding rear doors and Magic Slide® 2nd-row seats making the third row readily accessible. Let your Odyssey do the work by using your remote key fob up to 50 feet away to turn on the tri-zone climate, start the engine, and open the rear sliding doors so everyone can quickly hop in. Don't worry about debris from shoes or spilled snacks with the available HondaVAC®. Use this handy feature to reach every seat from front to back with its long-reach hose, and then clean up is a cinch with the easily-emptied dust bin. Access the vacuum and rear cargo with a gentle kick of your foot under the rear bumper. This move will automatically raise the hands-free power liftgate letting you stow your gear and fold down the third row Magic Seat® into the cargo floor. 2021 Honda Odyssey Trim Levels The 2021 Odyssey is offered in 5 impeccable models: the LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. Every Odyssey trim includes the Honda Sensing® Suite standard, a state-of-the-art set of safety features to protect you from bumper to bumper. These safety technologies keep your eyes on the road with a series of visual and audible warnings and alerts to assist with timely braking, unintentional lane drifting, gap time between you and the vehicle ahead, and road sign detection to ensure you are always following posted safety laws. Be In-the-Know Keeping everyone happy will be a breeze with the conveniences Honda has designed. The available 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot makes it easy to stay connected while the front and rear USB ports make sure all devices are charged and ready for the drive. The front seat's 8-inch digital infotainment center connects seamlessly with your Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoTM compatible smartphone to easily access music, podcasts, messages, phone calls, and navigation. Hoping to keep eyes on the road, Honda has created CabinWatch® and CabinTalk® to minimize the number of times you need to turn around to see what's going on in the back seats. CabinWatch® uses multiple cameras to allow you to keep an eye on things, even in the dark, while CabinTalk® utilizes the 11 speakers to let you reach the rear occupants. The 2021 Odyssey has all the bells and whistles to make every drive comfortable and safe. Call or stop by Priority Honda Roanoke today to take a look at this incredible vehicle! Whether around town or on the road, the Odyssey has got you covered - schedule a test drive today to enjoy the experience for yourself!

Red Honda Civic sedan driving dynamically on city street, showcasing sleek design and performance - Priority Honda Roanoke

5 Reasons Drivers Love the 2021 Honda Civic

Drivers are raving about the new 2021 Honda Civic this year. It has an extremely comfortable cabin, intelligent safety technology, a distinctly bold and sporty design - read on to find out more about this beauty! 1. Comfortable and Spacious Cabin Your 2021 Civic can seat up to five passengers with ample space left over. It also has available 60/40 split-fold back seating, so you can extend your trunk in a few different ways in order to maximize storage and seating space in this sedan. In the EX-L and Touring trims, you get standard leather-trimmed seating, while on the Sport trim and higher, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob come standard. For even more comfort and luxury, you also get available heated front seats to keep you cozy on chilly winter drives. On the impressive Touring trim, you even get standard heated rear outboard seats so the kids can't complain! Additionally, your 2021 Civic has a driver's seat with available eight-way power adjustment, so you can easily find the perfect driving position for you. 2. Start Your Engine from Afar and Stay Warm in the Winter! Are you tired of getting into an ice-cold car every morning after spending precious time scraping the snow and ice off of your windshield? With the 2021 Civic, these problems are in the rearview mirror. You have access to the available remote engine start function on your keys. This way, you can press a button and your car's engine will start so you can turn up the heat and defrost your windows before you ever leave your house. 3. High-Tech Safety Assistance Features There are many safety-assistance features available with the 2021 Civic so you can feel more confident at the wheel. Honda LaneWatch displays a video feed of the lane beside you when you turn on your corresponding turn signal so you can get maximum visibility before switching lanes. The Multi-Angle Rearview Camera shows you what's behind you when you're in reverse, but now you can choose from three different angles: there's normal, wide, and top-down. 4. Commanding and Athletic Design The 2021 Civic is designed to look pretty and function seamlessly. That's why it has chiseled LED headlights to finish its domineering face and front grille. The body lines of the 2021 Civic are muscular and sleek, and its wide, powerful stance boasts athleticism. The c-shaped taillights with complementing LED light bars complete the bold, sporty look of this classic sedan. 5. Modern Connectivity in Your Command Center You can now connect your smartphone to your 2021 Civic's information center and a display screen with available Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. This way, you can bring your phone calls, navigation apps, music, and more right into your 2021 Civic simply and seamlessly. Both iPhone and Android smartphone users can connect their devices to their Civic, so almost everyone is included! Do you want to learn more about what this car has to offer? Stop by Priority Honda Roanoke today for details on the fantastic 2021 Civic - and maybe even take a test drive to enjoy the experience in person!

Aerial view of Roanoke, Virginia at twilight, showing downtown skyline with mountains in background and Priority Honda dealership lights visible

3 Amazing Day Trips to Take Near Roanoke, VA

The largest city in Southwest Virginia, Roanoke, VA is an important commercial and cultural hub for the entire region, as well as an excellent base to explore the states of Virginia and neighboring North Carolina and West Virginia. If you're planning a day trip or a weekend escape from the city, these are some great ideas and destinations that can be reached in less than a couple of hours' drive. 1. George Washington and Jefferson National Forests As one of the largest public land areas in the Eastern United States, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are a great destination for nature lovers who want to get away from the city and breathe some fresh air. The forests cover more than one million acres of territory, with designated wildness areas, viewpoints, hiking trails, and Mount Rogers, considered the highest point in the state of Virginia. One of the most fascinating places to visit within the limits of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests is the ghost town of Lignite, which was once an iron ore mining town owned by a private company. The industrial areas of the town were abandoned in the 1920s, but people lived in the area until the 1950s. Currently, there are only a few remains of the old churches, post offices, and schools that once existed in the town. 2. Smith Mountain Lake State Park With camping facilities and several recreational areas, the Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a prime destination for day-trippers from Roanoke, Lynchburg, and other nearby cities in southern Virginia and North Carolina. The park opened its doors to the public in 1983, attracting thousands of visitors every year, most of whom come during the warmest months of the year to swim in the lake and perform water sports. The Smith Mountain Lake State Park is located less than 35 miles east of downtown Roanoke, a drive that usually takes a little under an hour in good traffic conditions. Once inside the park, there are lodging areas and designated picnic spots for visitors. Whether you're planning a trip with friends, family, or solo, this is an optimal destination to get away from the city and enjoy the natural wonders of the area. 3. Greensboro, NC The third most populous city in the state of North Carolina is a popular destination among visitors from Roanoke and other nearby towns across the state line in Virginia. Some of the most popular touristic attractions in the area include the International Civil Rights Museum, the Greensboro Science Center, and the historic houses in the College Hill area. From downtown Roanoke, Greensboro is a little under two hours away by car. Before you set off to explore the surroundings of Roanoke and go on memorable day trips in the area, create a game plan to make the most of your time off! Who knows - try out a few and you may find a new favorite destination!