 |
With a little effort and time spent on taking care of your car, your prized possession can be the subject of envy amongst your friends. It’s not very difficult to keep your vehicle looking good, though most would not have it believed. With regular care, a car as old as even 15 years would look just out of the showroom, whereas, one that is barely 3, can be in mutilated shambles with no care at all. The point to drive home is to invest in as much care with the car exterior, as you would with the car interiors/engine or transmission, if you are planning to keep your car longer and in good shape for years to come.
The basics to begin with taking care of car body would include:
• Car Washing – Things like bugs, bird droppings, etc, can play havoc with your car paint, leaving permanent damages on the car body. When the car is dirty, moisture accumulates in dirty areas, causing corrosion. It is recommended that you use pressure wash at least once in a month, which helps to remove the dirt from difficult-to-reach places. Regular washing lends a squeaky clean look to your car, besides preventing damage. Washing is the quickest way to get rid of dirt, salt and sand which, when left unattended can leave scratches on the car body surface.
• Polishing and Waxing – Waxing shields car paint from harsh environment, protects it from fading, and gives it a shiny look at the same time. A good quality car wax usually stays on the car body for a good three to four months, and then needs to be reapplied. It takes about 30 minutes to wax a whole car.
• Rustproofing – Rustproofing and undercoating help protect the car body from corrosion when driving is common in ‘rust belts’ with high humidity and lots of salt on the roads, especially in winters. Corrosion of important car components can lead to mishaps and accidents, if not corrected in time.
• Repairing stone chips – Cars tend to accumulate stones and chips on the road, which later get embedded on the car surface and require immediate removal to prevent corrosions. It is best done with car spray paint and a long tapering stick, which needs to be dipped into the paint. To repair stone chips, one needs to carefully fill up the chip without damaging the paint.
• Removing marks – Marks and scratches are best treated with ultra-fine grit or waterproof sandpaper, polishing compound containing mild abrasive, and car wax. Polishing compound is used where the clearcoat loses sheen due to sandpaper rubbing. The car wax helps to wash out all the polishing compound and buffs the area. Post the treatment, dents/scratches and marks are only barely visible.
Everyone yearns to be the owner of a car that is in good shape and condition even after years of rugged use. One can enjoy the luxury of boasting of a well-maintained car if he chooses to spare some thought, time and effort on the car-care tips mentioned above.
