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How to Look After Your Vehicles Guards and Fenders

Have you noticed that your fender guards are loose, or maybe you have a ding in your door guard and aren’t sure where it came from?
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10 December 2024

Vehicles nowadays have several parts on them solely to give them some protection against the elements or to guard the car against getting damaged by other vehicles or people. Because these parts are added on as preventative measures, we often don’t look after them as we would other aspects of the car, like the engine. However, sometimes looking after these parts plays a role in keeping your engine going well, too. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can look after Your Vehicle Guards and Fenders. 

What are car guards and fenders?

Car guards and fenders both play a protective role for different parts of your car. Here’s how:

Car guards

Car guards refer to the panels or body kit placed along the side and front of your car on the doors, above the wheels, or on the edges of your bonnet. They are there to protect your car from debris or small stones that may get kicked up by the tyres of the vehicles in front of you. 

Fenders

Fenders have a very similar function to car guards. However, they sit in your wheel arches. Their primary function is to stop debris from getting thrown into the air by getting caught in your wheels, reducing the impact debris has on the engine, and assisting the car in aerodynamics. 

Do they need to be looked after?

A car isn’t a small investment, and if you ever plan on trying to get a good sale off it when you choose to upgrade, having it in good condition would be helpful. So, yes, these parts of your car should be looked after. But not in the way you might think. These parts are designed to take a beating as they protect your car. But they aren’t the types of parts you need to change every time you take your car in for a service.

If you notice that they’re completely broken, then sure, they’ll need to get replaced. But in most cases, you just have to keep up with basic maintenance like keeping them clean, avoiding situations that’ll cause them unnecessary damage, and applying a protective polish on them now and then. 

How do we look after them? 

Here are some basic ways that you can keep your car guards and fenders in tip-top condition:

Keep them clean

Aside from making your look worse, dirt on your car guards and fenders can make them less effective. Let’s say for example, that dirt builds up under your wheel arch on your fender. If left, it could limit how the fender deals with additional debris like sticks or stones. Because of this, instead of protecting the wheel area, it could cause more damage. 

In addition to that, grime, road salt, or other things that build up on your fender could eventually cause them to corrode depending on what material they’re made from. Thus, keeping them clean is in your best interest. 

Provide them with a polish for protection

There’s some debate around the benefits of polishing your car. Some say that the act of polishing damages the first protective layer of paint applied by vehicle manufacturers, but this is a different story when it comes to car guards and fenders. By adding polish, you can effectively protect your car guards and fenders from the harmful UV rays from the sun and give them a lovely, lasting shine, too. 

Watch out for rust

If the car guards and fenders you have on your car are made from steel, you’ll want to keep an eye out for rust. Rust can cause significant damage to a car and is usually common in cars near the ocean. Ideally, if you notice any rust developing on your vehicle, you should deal with it promptly to avoid it spreading. 

Avoid exposing them to saltwater

For those who enjoy a bit of offroading, it’s just common sense to avoid exposing your car to saltwater. Saltwater is corrosive and a huge catalyst when it comes to rust. If you drive through saltwater, the spray will mostly hit your fenders, which could be an issue if they’re metal. 

Get a professional to assist with repairs

Finally, If you notice any issues with your car guards and fenders that require repairs, consider taking your car to a professional. They’ll ensure that the repairs are done right and often offer you a decent warranty to come with their services, too. 

Final thoughts

By practising safe driving techniques, you would significantly reduce your chances of damaging your fender or any of the other guards on your vehicle. But accidents often happen unexpectedly, so if you happen to flick up a stone and damage your fender, they aren’t that difficult to repair. Follow the tips above to help you look after your Vehicles Guards and Fenders

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