Key aspects of car care

THESE DAYS a car's paint finish is chosen not only to appeal to the owner's personal colour preference, but also to provide maximum body and metal protection. It consists of several layers for reliable corrosion-proofing; the body cavities are not only primer-coated by cataphoretic dipping, but are also treated with materials especially developed for this purpose in lengthy tests. The entire floor pan is given a sprayed-on, resilient PVC coating followed by complete wax-based undersealing in some expensive cars.

Regular care and maintenance make a big contribution to safety, outlook and a car's resale value. A number of environmental influences can affect the car's paintwork, some of them purely local. They govern the amount of care and paintwork needs and how often it should be attended to.

Road dust and dirt, tar stains, dead insects, animal secretions (high level of alkali formation) as well as tree and plant materials (resin, pollen) all contain chemicals which, if allowed to remain on the car for any length of time, can damage the paintwork by causing patches, blisters, corrosion and flaking of the top coat.

In industrial areas, the horizontal panels of the body in particular may suffer from deposits of fly ash, lime, oily soot or substances containing sulphur dioxide ("acid rain"), as well as other less easily identified deposits. Even chemicals and acidic substances disposed of by factory owners on to the roads get sprayed on the underside of cars and in wheel arches. Only regular care and proper servicing can avoid damage to the paintwork and the body. In coastal regions, high salt content and humidity of the atmosphere greatly increase the risk of body and panel corrosion.

In tropical climates, the ultra-violet radiation from the sun is strong, the air is often humid and the temperatures can exceed 40 degrees centigrade. These can penetrate the paint surface and the corrosion may then spread across the panel under the paint.

Since the car's paintwork is exposed to so many potential environmental hazards, automobile manufacturers and paint suppliers are constantly working on further improvements to the strength and durability of modern paints.

Care of paintwork: To protect the car from the start against gradual deterioration of paintwork in areas of high atmospheric pollution or where natural substances could damage the paint finish (industrial zones, railways, sap and resin from trees, pollen, bird droppings), it is advisable to wash the car once a week. In severe cases, the car should be washed whenever the paint finish is seen to be dirty or contaminated.

Remove spilled fuel, oil, grease or brake fluid at once as they can attack the paint and change its colour. Bird droppings should be removed without delay, or they will damage the paintwork but they should only be washed away and not scrapped after they have dried. Dead insects should be soaked and wiped off before the main car wash.

Washing the car: Do not wash the car if the engine compartment lid is still hot, or if the car has been standing in strong sunlight, or else patches may form on the paint surface. When using an automatic car wash, try to choose one without excessive brush pressure and with ample supply of rinsing water. Most modern car washes satisfy these requirements. However, the areas not fully reached by the automatic car wash - door sills, panel folds and seams on doors and lids - should be cleaned by hand.

If the car is washed by hand, first soften the dirt deposits on the paint with a fine water spray, and rinse them off. Do not spray water directly into the air inlets of the heating/ventilating system. After this, wash the upper part of the body with a sponge, wash-leather glove or similar and, using plenty of water, and starting with the roof. Rinse out the sponge frequently. Wash the lower part of the body and the wheels last, if possible keeping a separate sponge just for these areas. After washing, dry it with a clean chamois leather to prevent discoloured patches where the water was not removed. To protect the paintwork, a paint-care product or car shampoo can be added to the water used for washing the car. After this, rinse down with plenty of water.

Important Note: After washing the car the brakes may be wet and therefore less effective. Apply them briefly if the car is driven immediately afterward, to dry the discs.

Any local dirt patches or other contamination of the paint surface can best be seen after the car has been washed. Remove them as soon as possible with a clean cloth or wading soaked in alcohol spirit or cleaning grade petrol (gasoline). Eliminate tar stains with a special tar remover or kerosene. Polish the paintwork at these points to restore its appearance and protect it. It is quite easy to decide when the car's paintwork needs polishing or preservative treatment: water no longer forms large round droplets on the painted surfaces. Depending on the use of the car, this may arise after 3 to 4 months. Do not fail to carry out the necessary treatment as soon as it becomes necessary.

If the paintwork tends to lose its high gloss as a result of insufficient care, a suitable polish must be applied. Paint cleaner is needed if the finish is already matt or weathered. An abrasive cutting agent or paint restorer should only be used in severe or obstinate cases. Remember that all polishes, cleaners and paint restorers act by removing a layer of paint to expose paint, which is still in good condition. Only if the resulting new paint surface is most carefully protected will the overall brilliance of your car's paintwork be regained.

Plastic components, leatherette upholstery, roof linings, light glasses and items sprayed matt should be cleaned with water to which a shampoo may be added. Do not allow the roof lining to become wet right through. If necessary treat plastic components with a suitable cleaner for synthetic materials. Never use solvents such as nitro thinners, cold cleaning agents or fuel.

Rubber components should only be cleaned with water or treated with a rubber cleanser or silicone spray. Clean the windscreen wiper blades with soapy water. The wiper blades should renewed at least once a year. Seat belts should only be cleaned with a weak soap and water solution, without removing them from the car. Never attempt chemical or dry cleaning, or the belt fabric may be damaged. Automatic-reel seat belts should never be allowed to retract while still wet. Dirt on the belts could prevent them from retracting correctly, thus constituting a safety risk. Floor mats and carpets can be vacuum cleaned if very dirty. Floor mats can be removed for more thorough cleaning of the car's interior.

If certain areas of the seats acquire an unwanted gloss after heavy use as a result of heat and moisture, they should be brushed "against the pile" with a slightly moistened brush.

Seat upholstery fabrics can acquire a static electrical charge, particularly when atmospheric humidity is low. Persons touching metal parts of the body after leaving the car may then receive an unpleasant but harmless electric shock. Remember to keep your hand on an exposed metal part of the car while getting out of the car; this will disperse the electric charge without being noticed.

If the car is parked for a long time in bright sunlight, it is advisable to cover the seats to prevent it from fading. Regular cleaning and care of leather seats is also essential, since dust and road dirt penetrate the pores and creases, and cause the surface to wear away and become brittle. Moisten a cotton or woolen cloth slightly with water and clean the leather surface without allowing the seams to become wet through. After drying, the leather should be rubbed down with a soft, clean cloth.

Very dirty areas on leather upholstery can be cleaned with a mild detergent (as sold for woollens) containing no brightening agents. Use two tablespoons for one litre of water. Dab oil or grease spots carefully with cleaning- grade fuel, but do not rub.

To maintain the condition of the leather after cleaning, and avoid build-up of static electrical charge, apply cornelian oil or liquid leather polish. Shake well and apply a thin coating with a soft cloth. Allow penetration and drying, then rub with a clean, soft cloth. It is advisable to repeat this treatment every six months if the leather is exposed to normal use. Wipe off drops of water immediately, and try to avoid wetting the surface severely.

Warning: Keep cleaning products out of the reach of children. Many products are toxic of flammable, and therefore hazardous in use. Before using any such product, study and comply with the instructions supplied with it, and note any warnings or precautions stated on the pack. When cleaning the car's interior, always open a door or window. Never use products or solvents not specified for cleaning the car.

Tutu Dhawan

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