Have you wondered how to improve the appearance of your car? You’re not alone. People spend thousands of dollars trying to upgrade their cars.

Free car washing image, public domain car CC0 photo.

So, if you’re in search of things you can do to level up the appearance of your car, these six ideas below may be of interest to you.

1. Get a Paint Job

Getting a paint job for your car is like getting a new hairstyle. It’s a complete refresher. You don’t have to be stuck with the standard factory color you bought. You can pick a color that really represents you.

You can even take it a step further and get a “fun” paint color. You can make your car the focal point of the parking lot. Studies have shown that driving a fun car daily makes people happier. Therefore, you’ll simultaneously improve the appearance of your car and your mood.

2. Add Accessories to Your Car

Think about it: you use accessories to level up your outfit. Accessories can completely change an outfit from basic to fashionable. They can do the same for your car, both inside and out.

Accessories that you could consider, depending on your personal taste include these:

  • LED car light strips to give it a glow.
  • A leather shift boot to give your interior some style.
  • Back seat organizer to keep your car neat.
  • Cable clips for cord management.
  • Car cover to keep your car clean if you park outside.

3. Buy New Rims

Fancy rims can be the difference between basic and looking like the coolest driver on the road. Rims are hard to miss, especially designer rims that have all the bells and whistles. And rims serve a functional purpose. They enhance the performance of your tires.

You must make sure you have a good, quality set of rims, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose “boring” rims. Rims come in many different styles and can have their own accessories to boot. Perhaps you’ve seen rims with LED lights or Sprewell spinners (commonly referred to as spinners). These still serve their intended function while making a car look like a million bucks.

4. Wash Your Car Regularly

If your car is dirty, there is no number of accessories that will make it look good. The first (and maybe the only) thing people will see is the dirt. You’ll be lucky if no one writes a “wash me” message on your window.

Washing your car regularly does more than make it shine. It keeps the paint healthy. When you leave dirt on your car for extended periods of time, the dirt can mix with rain and cause acid-like damage to your paint. Over time, you’ll begin to notice your paint doesn’t look as good and may reach the end of its life span a lot sooner than expected.

An easy way to keep your car washed regularly is by getting a car wash subscription. You’ll save money and may be more likely to wash your car often.

5. Don’t Forget to Clean Your Rims and Tires

So many people wash their car but give no attention to the rims and tires. Simply going through a car wash may get the surface dirt off, but your rims and tires will still have residual dirt that will keep them looking dingy.

Many car washes have options specifically for tires and rims, but people tend to skip these options because they cost extra. Even if you don’t get the tire and rim package every time, get them sometimes to keep them looking good.

6. Fix Dents in Your Car

Over time, cars collect dents. Things happen, like shopping carts bumping into your car, kids’ toys (like balls), pets, and accidents. They all create dents. After a while, these dents become noticeable and begin to make your car look worn.

There are some do-it-yourself methods you can use to fix dents, but the best bet is to contact a good paintless dent removal (PDR) service.

*Note: Do this before you get a paint job.

Get Ready for Your Car to Look Brand New Again

Cars can be pretty needy, but the reward is well worth the work to take care of them.

The steps above are pretty straightforward and easy to do. Most of them are pretty affordable and can be done on the same day. The only exception is the paint job. You should allow several days for the job to be done.

Nevertheless, with a little patience and a little bit of effort, your car’s appearance will be drastically improved.