General External Care Precautions
When using chemical detergents or polishes, it is very important to follow the directions given in the tables. Read all cautionary statements in the tables carefully.
Paint care
Car wash
To protect the paintwork from corrosion and wear, wash your vehicle thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water at least once a month. When using the car for off-road driving, it is necessary to wash it after each ride. Pay special attention to removing any buildup of salt, dust, dirt and other foreign matter. Make sure the drain holes on the bottom surfaces of the doors and hanger panels are clear of debris. Insects, tree tar and sap, bird droppings, industrial emissions and similar contaminants, if not cleaned up in a timely manner, can damage your vehicle's paintwork. However, even with timely washing with water, it is not always possible to remove all contamination. For more effective cleaning, a non-alkaline soap that is safe for painted surfaces can be used.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water after washing. Do not allow the soap solution to dry on the vehicle paintwork.
Attention.
- Do not use strong soaps, chemical cleaners, or hot water. Also, do not wash the car in direct sunlight or if the car body is very hot.
- Do not wash the side window with a strong jet of water under pressure. Water can enter through the window and wet the interior.
- To prevent damage to plastic parts, do not wash them with chemical solvents or strong cleaners.
Attention.
- Wet elements of the brake system.
- After washing the vehicle, check the operation of the brakes by driving at low speed to make sure that no water has entered the brake system. If the performance of the brakes has decreased, dry them by continuing to drive at low speed and lightly depressing the brake pedal.
Attention.
- Washing the engine compartment with water, including pressurized water, may cause failure of the electrical circuits located in the engine compartment.
- Under no circumstances should water or other liquids come into contact with electrical/electronic components inside the vehicle as this may damage them.
Wax polishing
Wax should be applied after the water has stopped dripping on the painted surface of the car.
Always wash and dry your car before waxing. To polish your car, use a high quality liquid wax or wax paste and follow the car manufacturer's directions. Wax all metal parts to protect them and keep their shine. When removing oil, tar or similar substances with a stain remover from the painted surface of the body, the applied wax is usually also removed. Be sure to re-wax these areas, even if the rest of the vehicle does not need to be waxed at the time.
Attention.
- If you try to wipe dust or dirt from the surface of the body with a piece of dry cloth, scratches will remain on the paintwork.
- Do not use steel wool, abrasive wool or strong alkaline or caustic solvents on chrome or anodized aluminum parts. Doing so may cause damage, discoloration, or paint loss.
Restoration of damaged paintwork
Deep scratches or gouges from stones on the painted surface must be repaired in a timely manner. Exposed metal rusts quickly, which can result in significant repair costs.
Note. If your car is damaged or requires any repair or replacement of any metal parts, make sure that the body shop performs anti-corrosion treatment of the replaced and repaired parts.
Caring for polished metal elements
To remove road tar and traces of insects, use a product specially designed for this purpose. Do not use a scraper or other sharp object for this.
To protect the polished surfaces of metal parts from corrosion, apply a protective wax or chromium preservative and rub for a higher shine.
In winter or all year round in coastal areas, coat polished metal parts with a thicker coat of wax or protectant. If necessary, coat these parts with non-corrosive petroleum jelly or other protective compound.
Lower body care
Corrosive substances that are used to remove snow and dust can accumulate under the bottom. If these substances are not removed in a timely manner, corrosion of underbody components such as fuel lines, frame, underbody and exhaust system components can be accelerated, even if they have been treated with an anti-corrosion agent. Thoroughly clean underbody and wheel wells with a strong jet of lukewarm or cold water at least once a month and after off-road driving and at the end of the winter season. Pay special attention to this part of the car, as it is difficult to see all the accumulated dust and dirt on it. Simply wetting stubborn dirt without removing it will do more harm than good. Care must be taken to ensure that the drainage holes located at the bottom of the doors, on the panels of the suspension elements and frame parts, are not clogged with dirt; water remaining in these areas can cause corrosion.
Attention. After washing the vehicle, check the operation of the brakes by driving at low speed to make sure that no water has entered the brake system. If the performance of the brakes has decreased, dry them by continuing to drive at low speed and lightly depressing the brake pedal.
Caring for aluminum wheels
Aluminum wheels have a protective coating.
Do not use abrasive detergents, polishes, solvents or wire brushes to clean aluminum rims. This may cause scratches or damage to the coating.
Use only non-alkaline soap or neutral solvent. Rinse discs thoroughly with water. Remember to clean all discs after driving on roads where salt has been applied. This will help prevent corrosion.
Do not wash wheel rims with fast rotating car wash brushes.
Do not use detergents containing acids. This can cause damage and corrosion to coated aluminum rims.
Corrosion protection
Car protection against corrosion
Using the most modern design and manufacturing technologies for corrosion protection, we produce vehicles of the highest quality. However, this is only part of the job. To ensure long-term protection against corrosion, assistance and assistance from the owner is required.
The main causes of corrosion
The main causes of car corrosion are:
Road salt, dirt and moisture that accumulate under the bottom of the car.
Chips in paint or protective coatings from rocks, gravel, and minor chips and dents that leave exposed metal open to corrosion.
Zones of active corrosion
If the vehicle is operated in areas where it is constantly exposed to corrosive materials, corrosion protection is especially important. Some of the causes of accelerated corrosion processes are road salt, road chemicals, sea air, and industrial pollution.
Moisture is a source of corrosion
Moisture creates the conditions in which corrosion is most likely to occur. For example, corrosion processes are accelerated at high humidity, especially when the ambient temperature is slightly above zero. Under these conditions, moisture evaporating too slowly keeps the corrosive material in constant contact with the vehicle surface. A particularly active source of corrosion is dirt, because it dries slowly and retains moisture on the surface of the car. Even if the dirt appears dry, it can still contain moisture and promote corrosion. High temperatures can also contribute to corrosion of poorly ventilated parts of the vehicle where moisture can settle. For all of these reasons, it is especially important to keep your vehicle clean and regularly remove dirt and buildup of other materials. This applies not only to visible areas, but also to the bottom of the car.
Corrosion Prevention
You can help prevent corrosion by following the steps below.
Keep your car clean
The best way to prevent corrosion is to keep your vehicle clean and regularly remove deposits of corrosion-causing materials. It is very important to pay special attention to the bottom of the car.
If you operate the car in regions of active corrosion (where roads are salted, near the sea, in regions with heavy industrial pollution, acid rain, etc.), You must take special measures to prevent corrosion. In winter, clean the bottom of the car with a jet of water at least once a month, and after the end of the winter period, rinse it thoroughly.
When cleaning the bottom of the vehicle, special attention must be paid to structural elements located in the wheel arches and other places that are not visible. Clean thoroughly; simply wetting the dirt rather than washing it off will aggravate the corrosion rather than prevent it. High pressure water and steam are particularly effective in removing dirt deposits and corrosive materials.
When cleaning the underside of doors, suspension components, and structures, make sure that the drain holes are open to allow moisture to evaporate and not accumulate inside, accelerating the occurrence of corrosion.
Keep your garage dry
Do not park your car in a damp, poorly ventilated garage. This creates the right conditions for corrosion to form. This is especially true when you wash your car inside the garage or drive into the garage in a wet, snow-covered, ice-covered or muddy car. Even a heated garage can contribute to corrosion if it is poorly ventilated and moisture does not evaporate.
Keep paintwork and decorative panels in good condition
Scratches and chips in the paintwork should be covered with quick drying paint as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of corrosion. If an unprotected area of metal is found, it is recommended to contact a specialized body repair shop.
Bird droppings are highly corrosive. It can damage paintwork in a matter of hours. Always remove bird droppings as quickly as possible.
Don't Forget the Salon
Corrosive moisture can collect under carpets and floor coverings. Periodically check that there is no moisture under the mats. Be especially careful if you are using the vehicle to transport fertilizer, cleaning materials or chemicals. Such materials should only be transported in approved containers and any drips or stains from them should be wiped off, washed with clean water and thoroughly dried.