The best thing you can do to protect the painted exterior of your car is to
wash it on regular basis. This will remove the industrial pollutants, bird droppings and
other substances that can eat their way through the paint. The best choice for washing a
car is one of the carwash soaps sold in auto parts stores ( or as supplied by Amway or
Modicare). In respect to other soap products, there is widespread disagreement on what's
okay and what's not. If you can't see your way to spending a little extra for carwash
soap, use a mild solution of any other commercial detergent. ( not recommended). Do not
wash your car in full sunlight. You could end up spotting it permanently. Have the garden
hose standing by ready to rinse off. Begin by washing the roof, using a sponge or soft
cloth, and work your way down the car so that dirt from one area won't be rinsed onto part
already washed. After a thorough rinsing, dry the car with a soft cloth. Soak the soft
cloth in water and wring it out before using it. Once you've finished washing, check the
painted surface for bug or tar spots. Solvents to remove these substances are available
through auto parts stores. If the surface appears lightly scratched or spotted after
washing and a solvent treatment, you should polish it with a light polishing, compounding
may be necessary. Apply fine polishing compound to small areas using a damp cloth or
rubbing pad. Rub only until the scratches or blemishes disappear. If you overdo it or rub
extensively on an edge, you'll end up with a bare spot. |
When it comes to application of a final wax and polish, you have a number
of options. The newest polymers, offered in both basic configuration and rather expensive
kit form, provide the longest lasting protection. However many detailers contend that
polymer's can't produce the lustrous sheen a conventional wax and silicone, on the other
hand, offers longer lasting protection. Most products that offer a combination of wax and
silicone also contain a some abrasive for the removal of very minor scratches or stains.
Sometimes these are offered in two - component systems, one being a cleaner, the other a
wax. Some of the one - component polishes do not contain abrasives. When applying a wax,
work only in the shade or on a cloudy day. Apply the product to one small area at a time.
Most wax manufacturers recommend working in areas of about 2 sq.ft at a time. When you've
finished waxing, wash the car with lukewarm water and a soft rag to remove polish residue.
Polish caught in crevices can attract moisture, which leads to rusting. Use wheel polish
to clean and shine custom steel or aluminium wheels. A vinyl dressing will clean and
protect plastic exterior and interior parts. |
To clean interior carpeting, vacuum the interior thoroughly, and then
scrub with carpet shampoo. You can use the same shampoo that you use in the house or
purchase carpet shampoo through an auto accessories store. The handiest type for use in
cars comes in brush- applicator bottle. Instructions usually tell you to apply the
shampoo, scrub until foam disappears, allow to dry and then vacuum up the residue. The
final vacuuming is an important step. If you don't do it. the dirty residue will be left
at the bottom of the carpet piles. Vacuuming on a regular basis will help keep the carpets
clean between shampoo treatments. |
