Body maintenance
The condition of a car's body has a major impact on its value. Maintenance is simple, but should be done regularly. Neglecting to repair minor damage will quickly lead to its worsening, which will require expensive repairs in the future. Therefore, it is important to monitor the condition of not only those parts of the car that are visible from above, but also the bottom, wheel arches and the bottom of the engine compartment. If your vehicle is not equipped with front mud flaps, it is highly recommended to install them. This will protect the door thresholds from dirt and moisture in inclement weather.
The most common body maintenance job is washing, which is best done with a hose. This removes particles stuck to the car. It is preferable to wash them off with a stream of water, which prevents scratches that may occur when washing with a cloth. The wheel arches and underbody should be washed in the same way to prevent corrosion from accumulated dirt. Oddly enough, the best time to wash the underbody and wheel arches is inclement weather, when the dirt is still damp and soft. In very wet weather the bottom will usually clear itself of very large accumulations of dirt, so this is a good time to check its condition.
It is advisable to periodically use steam to completely clean the underbody of the car, including the engine compartment, to thoroughly check and eliminate minor defects. Steam cleaning removes traces of oil that may occur in certain areas near the engine, gearbox and rear axle. If steam cleaning is not available, it is advisable to use quality dirt removers applied with a brush. After this, the dirt is easily washed off.
After washing, wipe the body to avoid stains. A layer of protective agent will protect your car from the effects of harmful substances contained in the air. If the paintwork appears dull or oxidized, use a cleaner/polish combination to restore the original shine. Always make sure that the drainage holes and pipes are clean so that water can drain freely. The glasses should be kept clean and treated with an aqueous ammonia solution from time to time. Never use chrome based products to polish glass.
Car interior care
Rugs need to be brushed or vacuumed regularly to keep them clean. If they are very dirty, remove them from the car to clean and dry them thoroughly before putting them back. The seats and interior trim should be kept clean by wiping them with a damp cloth. If they become stained, use detergents and a soft brush to remove them. When washing the interior, do not use too much water, as this may lead to increased humidity inside the car. If there is high humidity in the interior, the interior should be dried by removing the mats. Do not use oil or electric heaters on this circuit!
Caring for Vinyl Headlining
Never attempt to clean vinyl headliner with detergents, alkalis or alcohol-based products. To clean it, use water, soap and a soft brush.