Body and subframe — maintenance

The condition of your car's bodywork is very important because its resale value depends on it. It is much more difficult to repair a neglected or damaged body than it is to repair a mechanical assembly. Concealed areas of the bodywork, such as the wheel wells, engine bay, are equally important, although they don't require as much attention as the rest of it.

The main thing in body maintenance is washing it, preferably with plenty of running water. It allows you to remove all the dirt that sticks to the car. It is important to wash it so as not to scratch it with sand particles. The wheel arches and underframe need to be washed to remove dirt that retains moisture and promotes rust. It is best to clean the body in wet weather, when the dirt softens.

Periodically it is good to clean the car with hot steam, except for cars with a wax-based protective coating. This will allow you to see what repairs and replacements are needed. Cleaning is needed to remove accumulations of oily dirt. This method is not suitable for vehicles with waxed protective coating, otherwise it will be removed. Such vehicles should be serviced before winter, when the underbody can be washed and waxed. You need to apply a completely new coating. It is also injected into doors, window sills, body compartments, etc. as an additional safeguard against rust damage where such protection is not provided by the manufacturer.

After washing the body, wipe it with leather and suede so that there are no stains. A layer of car polish will help protect it from chemical pollutants in the air. To restore the shine of the paint, use a polish/cleaner such as Turtle Extra. Metallic type paint requires a special mild cleaner to avoid damage.