Your car’s paint is supposed to last as long as the vehicle itself, but don’t be surprised if you start to notice scratches and fading after a few years. Car manufacturers have a vested interest in making as much paint possible at the lowest possible cost, and the paint job is often not protected by the vehicle warranty (as happened in this notorious case with Nissan). Below are some of the biggest contributors to car paint degradation and some of the steps you should take to avoid them.
Keys
Car keying may seem obvious, but it accounts for over half of all reported damage to a vehicle. Even if you aren’t in a high-crime area, holding your keys in your hand while you open the car door can cause little dings and scratches to appear over time. Be careful to keep your keys away from the body of your car to avoid needing to go over it with vehicle touch up paint.
“Five Things to Avoid to Protect your Paint”