A new BMW is sleek, sexy and has a presence that can’t be imitated or duplicated by any other car brand in the world. We do everything we can to keep our BMWs in good shape — washing the exterior, detailing the interior and performing regular maintenance to keep the engine running smoothly. 

While we can’t always avoid scratches, there are plenty of things we can do to prevent the ones that can lead to costly repairs.

Park It Indoors

Even if you’re in an area that isn’t prone to things like hailstorms, parking outside could still be detrimental to the health of your paint. Sticks and sand can get picked up by the wind and can scratch up your clearcoat. 

Bird droppings are one of the worst culprits. Animal droppings are corrosive and can cause more damage the longer they are allowed to sit.

You can’t always avoid bird droppings, especially when driving. However, if you notice that a passing feathered friend has left you a nice gift on your car, wash it off as soon as possible. 

Inspect Car Washes First

While washing your car by hand is the best choice, we don’t always have the time to do that, so we’re left with automatic car washes. While these businesses aren’t inherently evil when it comes to scratches, you need to be careful when choosing your car wash. Brushes can pick up sand and dirt from other cars, turning into sandpaper, which can leave fine scratches all over your BMW. 

Make sure the carwash you choose is well maintained and kept clean. Skipping this step could cost you a lot of money in the long run as you’re stuck repairing the paint. 

Be Mindful of What Is in Your Garage

Even if you have room to store your car in your garage, these rooms tend to become a catch-all for lots of things. Be mindful of what you’re storing in your garage if you want to prevent scratches on your BMW. Hazardous chemicals could burst as temperatures rise or fall, causing untold damage to the exterior of your favorite Bimmer. 

Also, be careful of anything that could potentially fall on your BMW. Anything from Christmas decorations to gardening tools can damage your paint. 

Take or Stow Your Valuables

Even if you lock your car, leaving valuables like phones, purses, wallets or laptops in plain sight is just asking for someone to bust your window. Thieves aren’t going to be careful to avoid scratching your paint when they’re making off with your goodies. 

If possible, remove all your valuables from your car when you arrive at your destination. If you can’t take them with you, stash them out of sight. Don’t make your vehicle a target for thieves, and you won’t have to worry about them scratching your paint while they’re stealing all your toys. 

Always Be Careful

It’s not always possible to make your BMW scratchproof, but you can take steps to reduce the risk and help protect your investment.