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Auto Care
Keeping a vehicle clean is as much a psychological thing as it is a physical one. Some people even say that when their vehicle is clean it actually runs better. With today’s fast paced society, people sometimes resort to taking their vehicle to an automatic car wash instead of washing their vehicle by hand. Detailing a car personally, however, can be very rewarding and can save money. The appearance of the vehicle does not actually change its performance, but it does improve its longevity. A vehicle that is kept clean inside and out will surely render a better value at trade-in-time. This chapter provides the necessary information for cleaning and caring for your automobile.
Tech Tip
Automatic Car Washes
Over the years there has been a debate over automatic car washes. When automatic car washes first came out, they had rotating brushes. Some people believe that brush car washes grind in dirt, causing scratches in the finish. This may be true depending on how dirty a vehicle is and the quality of the wash equipment. Today the most popular automatic car washes are brushless, using high-pressure nozzles to clean a vehicle. However, this high pressure is hard on a vehicle’s finish if the paint is already peeling or flaking. To be on the safe side, wash your vehicle by hand at home or at your local self-serve car wash.
Automotive Finishes
Up until the 1980s, most vehicles had a basecoat finish. In this type of finish, the color was the topcoat. When waxing, the rag used to wax the vehicle would actually turn the color of the vehicle. The oxidized coat of paint would come off revealing a fresh layer. Since then, finishes have advanced significantly. The finish used on most vehicles today is a clearcoat finish. In this type of finish the color of the vehicle, the basecoat, is coated with a clearcoat. This extra layer adds protection and appearance to the pigmented coat. When waxing this type of finish, the rag does not turn the pigmented color because it is just removing the oxidized layer on the clearcoat. When choosing a finish cleaner, refer to your owner’s manual for suggestions and recommendations.
Washing
The finishes on vehicles have to withstand varying conditions for all seasons of the year. Road dirt, rain, dust, mud, snow, ice, and salt are all harsh on the finish. Keeping the finish clean is the first step in maintaining the vehicle’s shine and endurance. Not cleaning a vehicle can have adverse effects. If you accidentally brush up against a dirty vehicle you can scratch the finish. When washing, it is not recommended to wash a vehicle while it is hot. Make sure the vehicle is in the shade. In addition, do not use dish detergent. Dish detergents are not chemically designed for vehicle finishes. Dish detergents may strip the wax and dry out the finish. Use only approved car wash soaps for cleaning finishes. Car wash soaps are formulated to float away the dirt and grime without harming the vehicle’s finish.
Drying
Water accelerates corrosion. And hard water can leave damaging spots on the vehicle’s paint. After washing, dry the vehicle with a towel or a chamois. A chamois, usually made from sheepskin, is super absorbent. A dry chamois will be hard and abrasive. Before using a chamois, wet it and ring it out. Drag it over the finish to pull off the water. Keep squeezing out excess water. The chamois should stay damp when you are using it.
Trouble Guide
Paint Care and Repair
If paint feels rough, the finish needs to be waxed or buffed. To repair chips, clean the damaged area, touch-up with primer, and then cover with a color matched paint.
Waxing
Waxing adds shine and protection to your vehicle’s finish. Wax is to your automotive finish as lotion is to your skin. The sun can dry out the finish on a vehicle. Wax coats and “moisturizes” the vehicle’s finish, removing oxidation to keep the finish shining. Carnauba, a natural wax, has the tendency to shed water by making it bead and run off a finish. Some synthetic waxes add an extra agent that increases the slickness, shedding water even better. Water contacting these types of finishes will slide off the vehicle. Water and the impurities in water can add to corrosion and wax breakdown. The quicker a vehicle dries, the better. Like washing, you should never apply wax on a hot vehicle or in direct sunlight. Remember to always read the labels on the wax container for specific information. Make sure the wax that you buy is suitable for your car’s finish. Some waxes are safe for both basecoat and clearcoat finishes, others are not. Clearcoat type waxes usually have fewer abrasives than basecoat waxes.
Tech Tip
Wash Before You Wax
It is extremely important to wash your vehicle before you wax it. If you don’t, you may rub the dirt and grime into the paint causing scratches. It is equally important to remember to clean around the doors, trunk, and hood. Do not use a chamois around the doors, trunk, and hood. Use a shop towel that can be cleaned easier. Avoid getting your chamois dirty to prevent scratching your vehicle’s finish.
Cleaning the Inside
Vacuuming cleans the inside of the vehicle. This includes vacuuming the headliner, seats, carpet, floor mats, and door panels. Dirty fabric will wear out quicker than clean fabric. Dirt accelerates wear by grinding away at the material. Fabric, vinyl, and carpet that is stained or soiled can be cleaned with special fabric cleaners. The most important thing to do safety wise is to wash the windows. Dirty windows can lead to unsafe driving. At night, windows that have a film over them glare. Use an auto-approved glass cleaner that resists streaks. Old newspapers or lint free cloths work well for wiping the glass cleaner off the windows. It is also important to protect the vinyl and rubber components. Vinyl and rubber have a tendency to dry out and need to be conditioned. Specially formulated interior cleaners are safe for most types of vinyl and rubber parts, but always read the manufacturer’s labels. Leather should also be cleaned and conditioned with the appropriate product.
Summary
Keeping a vehicle clean is not difficult, it just takes a little time. Washing, waxing, and vacuuming will make your vehicle worth more and make it more appealing to drive and own. Finishes on vehicles have changed over the years from basecoats to basecoat/clearcoats. Clearcoats add a deeper shine and a more durable finish.
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