Body Care

1. The condition of a vehicle's body is an extremely important factor in determining its resale value. Carrying out repair procedures to restore damaged or neglected body parts is much more difficult than repairing mechanical components. Concealed areas of the body such as the wheel arches, frame and engine compartment also require maintenance, although they do not require as much attention as the rest of the body components.

2. Once a year or every 20,000 km (12,000 miles) mileage, it is desirable to steam clean the internal surfaces of the body. Once all traces of dirt, oil and grease have been removed, surfaces can be inspected for signs of corrosion, broken brake lines, frayed wiring insulation, damaged drive cables, and other faults. Upon completion of this work, it is necessary to lubricate the front suspension components.

3. Steam clean or degrease the outer surfaces of the engine and engine compartment at the same time.

4. Close attention should be paid to the wheel arches, as the protective coating can separate from the inner surfaces and small stones and grains of sand flying out of the wheel treads will cause damage to the paint and, as a result, the development of panel corrosion. When traces of corrosion are found (rust), they must be removed to bare metal, and the surface covered with anti-corrosion paint.

5. Body washing should be done approximately once a week. Wet car body surfaces thoroughly to loosen dirt, which can then be washed off with a soft sponge or water jet. Careless removal of adhering dirt is fraught with damage to the outer layer of paint.

6. Stains of tar or asphalt that fall on the body from a heated road surface can and should be removed with a rag soaked in solvent.

7. Once every half a year, wax the body and chrome trim elements. Remember that when using cleaners to clean chrome surfaces, along with traces of corrosion, part of the chrome plating will also be removed - try not to use such solutions too abundantly.