A lot of information surrounding the preservation of a car`s value focus on the external metrics of the car. These experts will advise that you keep the body of the vehicle in tip top shape (which you should!) and monitor the health of the tires and oil quality closely (which you also should!). But there is more to keeping a car healthy than keeping it looking nice and the engine running. To maintain your cars value, it is instrumental that you keep the internal aesthetic of the car clean and working well. Covering your car`s upholstery and keeping the surfaces clean and clear goes a long way in protecting your car`s value. But you can always be doing more like adding some must have car accessories!
It’s best to order a custom-fit car seat covers and accessories for full protection and overall better appearance and comfort.
You can keep your car looking like new for YEARS with just a couple of investments now.
Here are 5 must have car accessories that will maximize your car`s value.
Sun Shade
Sun exposure can wreak havoc on your car`s interior just like it can your skin. There is a significant fading risk with prolonged exposure. Even worse, you can expect bleaching and even cracking over time.
The best way to address sun bleaching is by preventing it from damaging your car to begin with!
This is as simple as a sun shade in your car`s front and back windows. You might need only one if you aren`t going to be leaving your car for a prolonged period. However, if you decide on an impromptu day trip to the beach, you will be glad to have two so that you can cover both windshields over the course of the sun`s setting.
Leather Conditioner
If your car has fabulous leather seats, keep them looking fabulous with regular conditioning. A little conditioner on a regular basis goes a long way to keep leather from drying out and then cracking.
Leather is at great risk of sun damage and scratches. Every nick and cut will be immediately evident on leather surfaces.
Floor Mats
Not all floor mats for vehicles are created equally! Some are strictly for fashion, and others provide a lot of function. Fortunately, floor mat design has come a long way. So you can find the perfect balance of form and function for your car.
Take, for instance, all-weather floor mats. All-weather floor mats provide a ton of value to people living in regions with all four seasons. Snow and mud can ruin the interior of your car. Even worse is the salt they use to de-ice surfaces like roads and sidewalks: this salt is highly corrosive and can corrode and permanently stain your car`s interior surfaces. How gross is that?
Regardless of what you plan to ask of your floor mats, they should be durable. You don`t want a thin floormat that will crack or rip at the first sign of bending.
There are plenty of cheap floormats on the market, but I would suggest that you invest a little more than you think you should in your floormats. The floors of your car take the biggest beating out of all the surfaces in your car. The investment will go a long way if you do your research. Plus, more expensive floor mats are likely to fit your car`s floors better.
Microfiber Cloths
As you have probably surmised by now, the key to keeping a car looking like new is by preventing incremental damage from environmental factors.
While it seems at first glance to be an inconsequential cosmetic issue, dust and grime building up on your dashboard and other car surfaces actually puts your car at risk. Gunk clogging your car`s air filters is BAD news.
The harder your car`s air filter has to work, the likelier it is that contaminates can make their way into your car`s engine and stir up trouble. Clogging in the air filter can lead to overheating, reduced oil quality, and other internal damage.
Car Upholstery Covers
Extending the life of your car`s upholstery is as simple as keeping it covered. And you can cover almost every surface in your car! Your car`s stick, your steering wheel, and even the headrests wear down over time from the oils naturally secreting from your skin as you touch them.
The windshield and the gear stick are particularly prone to wearing down. Even grosser, they can exhibit build up from dead skin and oils. Something as simple as a fabric barrier can extend the life of your car`s upholstery and interior surfaces immeasurably.
Bonus: this also helps mitigate sun exposure if you forget the sun shade (which you won`t 😉).
