Exterior auto parts and accessories basics

A vehicle’s exterior is its first impression. While all of the time you spend driving happens inside your car or truck, naturally, the exterior of your vehicle is what most people are going to see first, or at all. A shoddy, dilapidated, or outdated exterior is going to attract people’s attention alright, but not in a good way. A side view mirror that is hanging off, a rusted door handle, a ripped convertible top – neither of these scenarios boasts a flattering look. In addition to enhancing your vehicle’s overall appearance, many exterior auto parts and accessories also have a functional purpose as well. Therefore, it would be wise to keep the exterior of your automobile in a good state of repair. Doing so will only make you proud to showcase your vehicle around town, but it will also maintain the overall safety and integrity of your vehicle.

There are many parts and accessories that play a role in the upkeep of your car or truck’s exterior. These range from the aesthetic that are strictly for looks to the practical and functional. For example, weatherstripping serves as a functional purpose since it used to seal the inside of your vehicle and keep it protected from all of the various outside elements like rain, snow, dirt, wind, and other debris. Just imagine what your vehicle might look like without it. Your car or truck’s grille is a major distinguishing component of a vehicle’s face and serves both for a cosmetic and functional purpose. Emblems and decals are one of the easiest things that you can add to the exterior of your vehicle to improve its look and increase its style factor.

These are only a small sample of the exterior auto parts and accessories that you will find on the outside of your car or truck.  Others include radio antennas, towing mirrors, door handles, body molding and trim, racks, parts for your window wiper system, trunk, hood, tailgate, bumpers, rust repair panels, and much more.