According to Bankrate, the average cost to have your car repainted is anywhere from $300 to $900 for a basic repaint to anywhere from $1000 to $3500 or more if you want to achieve an amazing finished product. One of the main reasons why vehicle owners decide to invest in a new paint job is because the current finish on their car is peeling, cracking, and chipping.

Here are a few of the many reasons why your vehicle's paint will chip and peel, including hail damage, and how to prevent it from happening.

An Inferior Paint Job

If you've recently splurged on a new paint job for your vehicle and noticed that within a few months the finish was beginning to crack and chip, the culprit could be the quality of paint and coating used or the technician's lack of experience. Lesser-quality, water-based paints are safer for your family and the environment, but they are also less robust and prone to chips and peeling.

If the technician is inexperienced or hurries through the process, they might not put enough layers of paint on your vehicles or allow them to cure properly.

The best way to avoid chips and peeling because of an inferior paint or inexperienced technician is to do your homework and choose an experienced professional.

Bird Droppings, Dead Bugs, and Tree Sap

During the spring, summer, and fall, it's not uncommon to find bird droppings, dead bugs, and tree sap covering your entire car. In addition to being irritating and unsightly, feces, dead bugs, and tree sap can eat through your paint's clearcoat, leading to serious damage to the paint beneath.

Bird droppings are particularly dangerous because it contains acids that can eat away at the clear coat and paint.

The best way to prevent chipping and peeling is to avoid encountering droppings, bugs, and tree sap. Whenever possible, park inside a garage or another parking structure. Avoid parking beneath trees or anywhere that bugs congregate, such as pools of standing water.

Clean off the droppings, bugs, or tree sap with a mild cleanser right away. There are products available at your local automotive supply store that are formulated to safely remove these unwanted stains.

Harsh and Abrasive Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning your car often will help remove road salt, dirt, bird feces, and the other products and chemicals that will eat away at your car's finish. Unfortunately, if there are difficult stains or you haven't washed your car in a while, you might turn to abrasive products to get the job done quickly. These products will not only remove unsightly stains, but they will also strip away your vehicle's finish and cause your paint to peel and chip.

Instead, always wash your vehicle with a mild car shampoo and a microfiber or terrycloth towel. Using circular motions will remove stubborn stains more effectively as well.

Hail Damage 

Hail will not only cause serious damage to your vehicle's paint job, but it can also create several dents that will require expert repair. Many times, if your paint is still intact, a technician might be able to fix the dents by utilizing paintless dent repair technology. However, if the paint is older or the damage is severe, a technician will first remove the dents before seamlessly restoring your vehicle's appearance by restoring the paint and finish.

The best way to avoid hail damage to your vehicle is to keep an eye on the weather. If there is a chance of hail, keep your vehicle in the garage or another covered parking area. If you cannot put it indoors, covering your vehicle with a tarp is the next best solution. 

From the weather conditions to bird droppings and inferior cleaning products, there are several things that can cause your vehicle's paint to begin peeling, cracking, and chipping.