Car wash
The best way to protect your car from the harmful effects of the environment is to wash it frequently and preserve the paintwork.
The longer the contaminants adhering to it remain on the paintwork, the stronger their destructive effect. High temperature or humidity enhance the effect. So, depending on the circumstances, it may be sufficient to wash the car once a week. But washing might be enough once a month with the subsequent preservation of the paintwork. After completing the period of salting the pavement, be sure to thoroughly wash bottom.
Automatic washing installations
The varnish of the car is strong enough for a normal car wash in automatic car washes.
For automatic washing, it is sufficient to observe the usual precautions (pre-close windows and roof panel). The factory equipped antennas for the radio, telephone/navigation system* are located in the passenger compartment.
When the vehicle is fitted with special car accessories such as a spoiler, roof rack, radio antenna, etc. it is best to consult the personnel of the washing plant.
Hand washing
Hand washing a car requires a lot of water. First, soak and wash off the dirt. Wash the car with a sponge from top to bottom. Use shampoo only in exceptional cases. Rinse the car with water. Dry the car with window cleaner.
When washing by hand, first soak the dirt with plenty of water, and then rinse it off as best as possible.
Then wash the car with a soft sponge, glove or brush for washing, without pressing too hard on the surface. Start washing from the roof and work your way down. Shampoo use only to remove stubborn dirt.
Rinse your sponge or cleaning glove regularly and thoroughly.
Wheels, sills, etc. wash last. Use a different sponge to wash them.
Do not wash the car in bright sunlight - there is a risk of damage to the paintwork.
When watering the car with a hose in winter, do not direct the water jet at locks or door joints and other joints - there is a risk of freezing.
Do not use insect sponges, hard kitchen sponges, etc. - there is a risk of surface damage.
Only wet cleaning of headlights is allowed - best of all with soapy water. Never clean headlights with a dry cloth or sponge.
Washing with high pressure cleaners
If certain rules are observed, the vehicle can also be washed with high-pressure cleaners.
Follow the high pressure cleaner manufacturer's instructions.
Keep a sufficiently large distance in relation to the soft components of the vehicle.
When washing your vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the machine. This applies especially to spray pressure and distance. Keep a sufficiently large distance from soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulating materials. Under no circumstances is it allowed to use non-directional nozzles or dirty cutters.
Coating conservation
Good preservation largely protects the car from environmental influences, as well as even from minor mechanical damage.
The paintwork of the car can be treated with liquid wax already a week after the delivery of your new car.
protective layer hard wax preservative, re-applied no later than clearly disappears rolling effect drops of water from a clean coating.
Even with regular use detergent preservative in automatic washing installations, it is recommended to apply an additional protective layer of hard wax to the coating at least twice a year.
Insect residues that have stuck mainly in the warm season on the front part and front bumper are, as a rule, much easier to remove from the paintwork with a freshly applied preservative.
Polishing
Polishing is used to restore gloss.
Polishing is necessary only if the paintwork has lost its attractive appearance, but it is no longer possible to restore gloss using preservatives.
If the polish used for this does not contain preservative components, then after polishing it is necessary to carry out preservation of the paintwork, see above.
Do not use polishing agents or hard wax on matt painted parts or plastic parts of the vehicle.
Decorative components and moldings
Decorative components and moldings in silver are made of pure aluminum (without chromium). This is dictated by considerations of environmental protection.
To remove stains and plaque from decorative components, use neutral care products (with zero acidity (pH)), do not use chrome care products. For the care of decorative components and moldings, polish intended for the care of paintwork is also not suitable. In addition, alkaline intensive cleaners, often used before entering automatic car wash lines, can cause matt/milky stains when dried.
Synthetic components
Synthetic components are subject to normal washing. If this is not enough, then synthetic components can also be treated with special solvent-free products intended for the care of such products. Lacquer care products are not suitable for the care of synthetic components.
Paint damage
Minor damage to the paintwork is eliminated with a coloring pencil or an aerosol can -
Minor damage to the paintwork, such as scratches, marks or traces of stone impacts, should be varnished immediately, before corrosion occurs. Suitable for your car coloring pencils or aerosol cans available at Audi workshops.
The number of the original paint code for your vehicle can be found on the vehicle rating plate, see Vehicle identification numbers.
Carefully remove rust deposits that have appeared at the site of damage.
First apply to this place anti-corrosion primer, and then varnish.
Window panes
Remove snow and ice with a plastic scraper.
Remove other residual formations with glass cleaner.
Dry the glasses with a clean cloth.
Do not clean the windshield with insect remover or wax. Otherwise, the function of the wiper blades may be impaired (brush vibration).
Remains of rubber, oil, grease or silicone can be removed glass cleaner or silicone remover. Wax residues can only be removed with a special cleaner.
Glasses must be cleaned regularly also from the inside.
To dry the glass, use a special glass cloth or leather. Do not use leather intended for the treatment of lacquered surfaces for drying glass, as Preservative residues adversely affect visibility.
Rear window heating filaments are located on the inner surface of the glass. It is not allowed to stick stickers on the threads of the electric heating of the rear window, so as not to damage them.
Rubber seals
Rubber seals for doors, hood, trunk, roof panel and windows retain their properties and last longer if they are rubbed from time to time with a special product intended for the care of rubber products (e.g. silicone spray). After such processing, they do not freeze even in winter and the doors open more easily. In addition, prevent premature wear of the seals and leakage.
Locks
Castles can freeze in winter.
When washing the car, make sure that as little water as possible gets into the locks.
Wheels with steel rims
Wash rims and wheel covers during the car wash.
Cleaning the wheels will prevent the accumulation of brake pad wear, dirt and road salt on their surface.
Stubborn brake pad wear can be removed acid-free disc cleaner. Acidic rim cleaners can be aggressive to the surface of the wheel bolts.
Regular treatment of discs with liquid hard wax prevents premature contamination.
Repair damaged paintwork before rust appears (Chapter Repair of minor damage to body panels).
Alloy wheel rims
Rinse brake pad wear and road salt off the rims at least every two weeks.
Handle clean wheels only acid-free alloy wheel cleaner.
Rub discs thoroughly every three months hard wax.
To maintain the decorative appearance of light-alloy wheels for a long time, they require regular maintenance. If you do not regularly remove the wear products of the brake linings and road salt, then these substances will begin to corrode the light alloy.
Treat the wheels with a special acid-free alloy wheel cleaner. In no case do not leave the cleaning agent longer than the time prescribed in the instructions. Acidic rim cleaners can be aggressive to the surface of the wheel bolts.
Do not use polish intended for the care of paint and varnish coatings, or other abrasive products. In case of damage to the protective lacquer coating, for example, from stone impacts, repair the defect immediately.
Underbody corrosion protection
In the process of driving, damage is not excluded protective layer, therefore it is recommended with a certain frequency - it is best before the start of the winter season and in the spring - to contact the service station to check, and if necessary, to eliminate damage to the protective coating applied to the bottom of the body and the chassis of the car.
Preservation of body cavities
It is not necessary to check the preservation of body cavities.
All corroded car cavities are treated preservative wax already at the factory.
Such conservation does not require control and subsequent processing. If wax is released from body cavities at high temperatures, remove it with a synthetic scraper and washing gasoline.
Caring for interior elements
Synthetic components, artificial leather, overlays and upholstery
Wipe synthetic components and artificial leather with a damp cloth. If this is not enough, then these components can only be processed solvent-free special products, intended for the care of such products.
Lining and upholstery of doors, seals of the trunk, ceiling, etc. treated with special cleaners or dry foam and a soft sponge.
Genuine Leather
When handling and caring for it, it is necessary to observe certain caution and rules, which is due to the exceptionally high quality of the types of leather used and their special properties (sensitivity to oils, fats, dirt, etc.).
Avoid sun exposure for long periods of time to keep your skin from fading. When the car is exposed to the sun for a long time, the skin must be protected from direct sunlight.
Use a protective cream regularly and after each cleaning. The cream nourishes the leather, helps to keep your leather upholstery supple and breathable, and restores moisture. At the same time, the cream forms or renews the surface protection.
Clean your skin every 2-3 months. Remove fresh dirt immediately.
Fresh stains from ballpoint pens, ink, lipstick, shoe polish, etc. remove as soon as possible.
You also need to take care of your skin tone. Refresh the color in appropriate places with a special skin color care cream.
Genuine leather trim
Normal brushing
Clean the soiled surface with a slightly damp cotton or wool cloth.
Strong pollution
Heavily soiled areas can be cleaned with a cloth dampened with mild soapy water (two tablespoons of chemically neutral soap per liter of water).
When doing this, be sure to ensure that the skin does not get wet anywhere and that water does not penetrate through the seams.
After washing, wipe the leather with a soft and dry cloth.
Stain removal
fresh spots on water based, (e.g. coffee, tea, juices, blood, etc.) remove with a damp cloth or tissue. Remove dried-on stains with a leather cleaner.
Fresh fatty spots (e.g. butter, mayonnaise, chocolate, etc.) Remove with an absorbent cloth or tissue, or if the stain has not yet been absorbed, with a leather cleaner.
Dried grease stains remove with a fat-dissolving aerosol.
Special Spots (e.g. stains from ballpoint pens, felt-tip pen, nail polish, emulsion paint, shoe polish, etc.) are removed with a special stain remover suitable for the skin.
Skin care
Treat your skin with a skin care product every six months.
Apply skin care product sparingly.
After leaving for some time to act, it is then washed with a soft cloth.
If you have questions, contact the workshop for advice on a skin care program, including, for example:
- Set for cleaning and care;
- Coloring creams for skin care;
- Stain removers for removing stains from ballpoint pens, shoe polish, etc.;
- Fat-dissolving aerosol.
Alcantara® leather cleaning
Stain removal
Dampen a cloth with lukewarm water or diluted alcohol.
Remove the stain by wiping it with a cloth towards the center.
Dry the cleaned area with a soft cloth.
Do not use skin care products.
You can also use a skin care shampoo to remove dust and dirt.
Dust, dirt particles in the pores, folds and seams contribute to the wear of the leather and can damage its surface. When the car is exposed to the sun for a long time, the leather must be protected from direct sunlight to keep it from fading. Slight discoloration due to skin use is normal.
Never clean Alcantara® leather with solvents, polishing wax, shoe polish, stain removers, leather care products, etc.
Never use brushes, hard sponges, etc. to clean the leather.
Seat belts
Soiled belts can be washed with mild soapy water.
If the belt tape is heavily soiled, the operation of the automatic belt retraction mechanism may be disrupted. Let the belt dry completely before winding up the belt with the retractor.
Do not dry clean belts as chemical cleaners can damage the fabric. Also, do not allow corrosive liquids to come into contact with the belt bands.
Replace the belts if the fabric, joints, belt retractors, or buckles are damaged.
Visitor comments