Chapter 13
Vehicle Exterior and Interior Maintenance
Your car’s paint is exposed to a harsh environment, including contaminants such
as bird droppings, tree sap, salt, and acid rain that eat into the finish of your
vehicle. When this happens, the paint is exposed to harmful UV rays that fade
the finish. It’s important that you keep your car washed; however, there is a right
way and a wrong way to wash it, and the wrong way can do damage to the
finish.
If you wash the car yourself: When washing your car, don’t work in direct
sun because high surface temperatures cause chemical residues remaining on the
finish to fade it. So park the car in the shade if you are outside. Before washing,
rinse the car thoroughly with fresh water to remove harmful abrasives (dirt, grit,
salt, or gravel). Make sure you use a soft cloth or washing mitt that is clean of
dirt and a car wash solution that is pH neutral. Contrary to popular belief,
dishwashing detergents are not safe to use on your car! These products are
designed to cut grease. Consequently they will strip the protective wax coat,
harm the clear-coat, and cause the car’s finish to dry out and age prematurely.
Remove bird droppings, bug stains, tree sap, and other such agents because this
stuff discolors and stains the finish. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a chamois.
If you go to the car wash: Go to a car wash that is brush-less and uses fresh
water (not recycled water). Harsh nylon brushes can scratch the paint, and
recycled water may contain dissolved salt and other contaminants from previous
vehicles that accelerate deterioration. Make sure that they remove bird
droppings, bug stains, tree sap, and other such agents to prevent discoloration
and staining of your car’s finish. Good car washes dry your car before you leave,
either with an automated strong air current or attendants who dry it by hand with
a chamois.