The general condition of the body largely determines the value of the car. Maintenance itself is not difficult, but requires regularity. Minor damage can lead to rapid corrosion and high body repair costs. It is very important to keep an eye on the hidden parts of the body, such as the underbody, the inner surfaces of the wheel arches and the lower parts of the engine compartment.
The main part of routine maintenance is washing the body, preferably with a large amount of water from a hose, which washes away any pieces of dirt adhering to the body. It is important to wash off the dirt with water so as not to cause scratches when removing it in other ways. Wheel arches and subframes also need to be washed thoroughly, as dirt accumulates in them, retaining moisture and contributing to the development of corrosion. Paradoxically, it is a fact that in wet weather it is much easier to wash the bottom and arches of the car, since the dirt in the hidden cavities has not dried out. In wet weather, dirt on the bottom and in the wheel arches is automatically washed off while driving.
From time to time, except for cars with a wax-based anti-corrosion bottom coating, it is useful to wash the bottom and subframes with a jet of water under pressure or a steam jet, including the engine compartment. At the same time, it is useful to carefully examine the body to detect pockets of corrosion and damage to the protective coating that require repair and renewal. Such washes are useful for washing off oily dirt, which can be quite thick in some places. However, sinks of this type also have disadvantages - when knocking dirt off the paintwork, it can be scratched, it can fade from exposure to steam, a strong jet of water can break through the door seal and flood the interior and internal components of the doors (locks, loudspeakers and power windows). Please note that these methods are not suitable for thin wax-based protective coatings, which can simply be washed off. Likewise, pressurized water and steam can enter areas where water would not normally enter and damage electrical components and fuel equipment. A jet of water can also penetrate the soft working edges of the seals, penetrating into the lubrication system. Such washing, therefore, must be carried out with extreme caution and, in any case, not regularly. It is much more reasonable to wash with a free jet from a hose. Although the engine compartment looks dirty. In this situation, motor cleaning compounds are used, which are applied with a brush and then washed off with water. Take care after washes to restore wax coatings that can be destroyed by solvents. Normal washing is usually done with warm water and a suitable car shampoo. Bitumen stains are removed with white spirit, then with soapy water to remove traces of white spirit. When washing, make sure that water does not get into the intake ducts, keep their drain tubes always clean.
After washing the paintwork, wipe it with soft chamois leather to avoid damage. Coating with a layer of protective wax-based polish will give additional protection from atmospheric influences. If the finish is dull or oxidized, polish the body to restore shine with one of the many compounds available. It requires little effort, but paint fading is due to the lack of regular body washing. Metallic exterior painting requires special attention as it only allows the use of non-abrasive polishes to avoid damage to the lacquer. Polished metals should be treated in the same way as paintwork. Glasses are wiped with detergent compositions to remove oil films from the glasses. Never use glass polishes intended for bodywork or chrome finishes.
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