As most car owners spend a significant part of their day in their vehicles, it is easy to have the temptation of trading the old run for a brand new sparkling one. But it would be crazy to go out and buy a new car every time you have that thought or when your vehicle showed slight wear and tear. Not all of us can afford to purchase brand-new cars or the massive custom upgrades that make our rides turn heads.
But we can make it look new again! With a bit of elbow grease, pride, and a few dollars, we can improve the look and feel of our car. If you want to refresh your vehicle to keep it looking nice, here are some cost-effective ways to do so.
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Cost-Effective Ways to Make Your Car Look Better
If you are embarrassed about the condition of your car, here are some easy and affordable ways to make it look new again!
Replace Faded Trim
If the surfaces or switches of the trim are damaged or faded, take them off. It is easier to do so with solid-color plastic trim as you can chip them off. But if it is made of leather or wood grain, chipping off would be difficult. In case you have got missing switches or trim, contact the parts department of your nearest service center.
Replace Audio Unit
If your car’s audio unit did not come with AUX or USB, it is time to upgrade it to an aftermarket head unit. This replacement will help if you plan to sell the vehicle to a young buyer who does not listen to the radio. Cruise control is becoming a standard feature even in second-hand and budget-conscious cars.
Change the Look
If you have got an off-roading vehicle or a performance model, decals are a cost-effective way to improve its profile without springing for a sports kit. Professionally applied decals can make your car stand out when on the road. Tinted windows are another addition that can immediately modify the visible look of your vehicle while also providing the benefits of reduced glare and heat.
Paint the Wheels
Wheels are often an ideal giveaway of the age of a vehicle. On the one hand, factory alloys usually change the designs with every model upgrade. But flagship models have a machined alloy option. If you cannot afford to change your car’s alloys, paint them to refresh the color, which may have faded. It will upgrade your wheels without the expense of four new alloy rims.
Paint Car Parts
Adding touches of accent color to some parts of your car can take its look up a notch. It is the same as painting the car wheels. But get it done by the professionals to avoid any glitches. 3D printing is also getting popular in the automotive industry for quite some time now.
Similarly, to undo the years’ worth of damage you have done to your car, you can give it a paint job. It will return to its vibrant and youthful appearance. But the paint job is not limited to restoring the vehicle’s original paint, so feel free to paint it in any color combination you like.
Get New Lights
Fixing new headlights and tail lights in your car is the best way to make it look fresh and sharp. You can also get car lights custom by contacting your nearest service station. Old and foggy headlights can make your vehicle look incredibly aged. So, consider replacing the bulbs for an updated look.
Clean Under the Hood
To make your car look brand new, you need to clean it from every angle. To achieve this, consider replacing the stock air intake with a new cold air intake. It will help you reduce fuel usage and hopefully a quieter and calmer drive. Combine it with a replacement muffler to improve the airflow in your vehicle.
You can also get your vehicle to a professional center to clean the engine while ensuring that no water gets into it.
Fix the Dents
Car dents stick out like a sore thumb and draw negative attention. They also make people avoid driving and parking next to you. But unfortunately, you cannot cover the dents with paint as it will only make the car look worse. You can only get the dented parts replaced from a junkyard or a dent puller.
New Seat Cover & Mat
New seat covers and floor mats are an easy and quick fix to deteriorating upholstery. They not only protect your vehicle’s original material but also prevent it from stains and damage. As there are many tacky covers available in the market, do your research to find the one that enhances your car’s overall appearance. Also, please make sure both of them complement each other.
Give it a Clean
Sometimes cleaning is the best solution. To make your car look as good as new, remove all the rubbish and give it a thorough clean. It will not only improve the look of your car’s interior but also make driving safer. Getting your car’s exterior cleaned by professionals surfaces the problem areas while making it look younger than its actual age.
To Sum Up
There are tons of additional ways to give a newer touch to your vehicle at modest pricing. It includes a new steering wheel, gear shift knob, racing pedals, rear-view mirrors, light covers, and other cute accessories. But take note that too much of these can make your car look tacky instead of tasteful.
It can be embarrassing when you have to give someone a lift and your car looks like it belongs in the tip. Your friends may make fun of its failing features, or family members poke you again and again on getting a new car. But with these tips, you can give a new life to your aging car, at least from the outside! To extend its life further, keep it in a working condition by spending time on oil changes, belt checks, and filter replacement.
