The condition of a car's bodywork is an extremely important factor in determining its presale price. Carrying out repair procedures to restore damaged or neglected body parts is much more difficult than repairing mechanical components. Hidden areas of the bodywork such as the wheel arches, frame and engine compartment also need to be looked after, although they do not require as much attention as the rest of the bodywork.
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.
Simultaneously steam clean or degrease the exterior surfaces of the engine and engine compartment.
Close attention should be paid to the wheel arches, as the protective coating can separate from the inner surfaces and small pebbles 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 should be removed to bare metal, and the surface is covered with anti-corrosion paint
Body wash should be about 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.
Spots of tar or asphalt falling on the body from a heated road surface can should be removed with a cloth soaked in solvent.
Semiannually wax the bodywork and chrome trim. 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.
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