You might not realise just how important looking after your vehicle's paint actually is, but the fact is, a decent paint job that's in good condition does more than just make your car look nice. Essentially, your paint acts as a barrier - protecting the metal bodywork of your car from rust and corrosion. Rust can and will build up where there is any damage to your paint job which could be caused by minor bumps and grazes, stone chips and even UV damage. For this reason, it's worth knowing how to tell if your vehicle's paint needs attention, so here are a few telltale signs that you might need a bit of work done - whether that's a touch up or a full strip down and respray.

What Causes Paint To Fade?

If your paint is beginning to wear, or has had a rough life then it's common for it to become faded and dull. Even if you wax and polish your car regularly, the paint will gradually deteriorate if exposed to the elements, so unless you have a museum piece, it's likely that your car will eventually lose its shine. Unless you like the well-worn look of patina, then it's a good idea to consider a respray should your paint become too worn. If you let it continue to wear, then it won't offer any real protection from the elements and can allow rust to form.

What Causes Scratches, Nicks and Swirls?

Damage to your paint is pretty much unavoidable - whether it's stone chips from driving,scratches and dings from the carpark, or being keyed by a crazy ex partner - the more you use your car, the greater the chance that damage to your paint will eventually happen. If you don't attend to chips, cracks, scratches and other cosmetic damage, then they can allow moisture to get in and begin to oxidise the metal - causing rust which given time, will spread like cancer throughout your bodywork. For minor scratches that don't reach the metal underneath, then often simply buffing the affected area and applying a good polish will sort them out. For other, deeper damage you can apply touch up paints that will match your existing colour, or if the damage is sufficient, you might consider having the affected panel resprayed.

Why Is My Clear Coat Peeling?

If your paint looks like its covered in blisters, or is peeling like sunburn, then that's because the clear coat has begun to separate from the base coat. If left unattended then it will expose the less resilient paint to the environment, which can result in further damage. Also, it's super ugly. Discolouration is usually the first sign that your clear coat is on the way out. It will usually go a sort of yellowish or milky colour if it's exposed to too much UV light, so in our sunny climates it is much more likely to happen earlier in the car's lifespan. Peeling clear coat can often be sanded back and a new coat reapplied, however many people will opt to simply repaint the car at this point to get it looking fantastic, and protect it from any further damage.

What Causes Rust Bubbles?

Of all the things to be worried about when it comes to your paintwork, this is the worst. The initial signs of rust build up under your paint are what look like streaks and drips of discolouration coming out of cracks or from behind trim, seals or other things that are attached to the body. When only these initial signs are visible, it can be possible to sand back the affected area, remove as much rust as possible and apply a rust converter before repainting the metal. Be careful however, because rust can quickly advance to beyond a point where this sort of solution will stop it. After the rust has set in and begun to destroy the panel steel of your vehicle, it will blister and bubble up, becoming more and more fragile as it does so. Eventually, your paint will tend to flake off with chunks of rust, and at this point your only real option is to cut the corrosion out and carry out proper body work to repair the damage.

In order to ensure the longest possible lifespan for your paint, make sure that you treat your car's exterior properly:

• Try to park your car out of direct sunlight, so in a garage or at least in the shade.
• Wash it regularly - especially if you live near the beach, and consider waxing the paint every month or two, or more frequently if your car's paint is a dark colour.
• If you simply give your car's paint a little attention every now than then, and keep an eye out for obvious signs of damage, then you can be sure that the metal beneath will remain safely protected from corrosion, and that your car will continue to look its best.