Keep Your Vehicle Looking New
Vehicles are truly an investment, and not just of funds. They also require time and care. By keeping your vehicle in good condition, you can minimize repair costs and keep the resale value high.
So how do you maintain your vehicle's appearance when it encounters road tar, tree sap and other adversaries on a daily basis? Here are some useful tips to help you fight back.
Washing
Frequency: Ideally, you should wash your car every week. This might not be feasible with a busy schedule, so shoot for at least once a month.
Preparation: Before washing your vehicle, park it in the shade and allow it to cool. This will increase evaporation time, allowing you to rinse off the soap before it dries onto the paint and causes streaks of residue. It will also decrease the likelihood of water spots. If you can comfortably set your hand on the hood, it is probably cool enough to wash. Choosing the product. Instead of using dishwashing or laundry detergents on your car's surface, use a product specifically formulated for automotive paint. Other detergents might remove wax from the surface.
Choosing the tool: Choose a soft, clean cloth, a wash mitt, a terry cloth towel or a soft bristle brush for washing. Make sure whatever you use does not scratch the paint. A sponge is a poor choice because its flat surface might drag dirt across the paint, wearing away the finish.
Washing: You should start at the top of the vehicle and work your way down. This ensures that run-off soap does not trickle onto already washed sections and dry onto the paint. Pressure washing. From time to time, it's a good idea to use a pressure washer to spray underneath the vehicle and inside the wheel wells. These places are prone to rust and corrosion.
Rinsing: Rinse your washing tool often to prevent dirt from accumulating and being rubbed across the paint surface. When you dip your cloth or brush into the soapy water, swirl it around to remove any stuck-on grime.
Drying: When drying, use high-quality towels that do not leave behind any lint or fuzz. Once again, start at the top and work your way down, blotting the water gently off the surface.
Polishing/Waxing
Options: A good polish deepens the shine provided by waxing. It can also remove water spots, small surface imperfections and minor scratches. You can either use a polish designed for use under a separate coat of wax or a combination of polish and wax. Whichever option you choose, polish and wax immediately after washing the vehicle.
Frequency: You should wax your vehicle at least twice a year. Wax just before winter to protect the vehicle from the harsh environment and then again just before or after spring. When water stops beading on your car's surface, it is time for a new coat of wax.
Scratches: If there are noticeable scratches in the paint, take care of those first. For small scratches, use touch-up paint or a rubbing compound. Large scratches might require a specialist.
Cooling: As with washing, polish and wax your vehicle in the shade. Direct sunlight or a heated surface might cause uneven drying and a streaky finish.
Application: Use a soft, clean terry cloth towel to apply the polish/wax to the car's surface in small, even, circular motions. Work on small sections of the car at a time.Removal. Look on the manufacturer's label for the exact drying time. Usually, the polish/wax will look slightly hazy when dry. Wipe away the polish/wax with a fresh cloth, using the same motions as before. You might have to shake the cloth occasionally to remove residue.
Parking Tips
Don't park in the sun: Long periods of exposure to sunlight can cause fading and make the paint more vulnerable to peeling, chipping and scratching.
Park next to vehicles in good condition: When parking in a lot or parking garage, examine the cars. Choose a parking spot next to other vehicles in good condition. Owners of damaged cars might not exert as much caution when opening doors as do those who make great efforts to protect their vehicles.
Bigger is better: Avoid parking in tight spaces. This increases the chance that your car will get bumped or scratched. If possible, park away from other cars.
Don't use your car as a shelf: When you are loading or unpacking the car, do not place items on the hood, trunk or roof. This could scratch the finish.
Interior Care
Routine care: On a regular basis, vacuum the floor mats, carpeting and upholstery. Dust the dashboard and console, and clean between crevices and seat cushions.
Stain removal: To remove stains and spills on the carpet, use a carpet cleaner. Be aware, however, that some cleaners leave the carpet wet. Because car carpet is usually backed by sheet metal, the moisture could cause the metal to rust. For small stains, try using spray-on products, instead. For upholstery stains on fabric, loosen dirt with a soft-bristled brush, and clean with upholstery cleaner.
Leather: To keep leather clean, you should apply leather cleansers regularly. Select products designed for the specific surface. The wrong products can lead to cracking and other damage.
Now that you have removed the dirt and grime, polished away spots and scratches, and coated your vehicle with a layer of protection, it should sparkle like the day you bought it. There's nothing left to do but hit the road and show it off!
