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Vehicles
Bodywork
The problem with this country is that no sooner have you washed and waxed your
car the weather turns it into a muddy, road-grimed shadow of it's former self.
For the brief summer that we do get we don't mind washing our cars but during
the winter months it's very easy to forget. 'Whats the point? 10 minutes and it
will thick with dirt again!'. Washing your car under these conditions couldn't
be more important to the long term look of your paint work. Winter months usually
brings salt spreaders, vital to non-slip roads, deadly to your bodywork. Washing
all the salt and grime from your car will help you bodywork last longer especially
with a coat of protective wax. Wax will fend of moisture and rain. Instead of
water puddling and attacking vunerable parts of your car, the majority will run
off.
Don't forget that your bodywork is the most important part of your car when it
comes to selling it. A buyer can turn away and never see that mint engine if the
first appearance is poor. Alternativley a buyer could overlook the odd rattle
if the overall appearance is good.
CHECK YOUR CARS BODYWORK AFTER THE SPOILS OF WINTER
Painted surfaces can become chipped or scratched and if not treated will become
corroded and lead to rapid deterioration.
After thoroughly washing you car, And with the hose pipe, spray under the wings,
and body sills.
Wash away any salt or grit that has been put on the roads during the winter months,
better still use a high pressure wash machine.
Any fittings such as mud flaps need regular washing off, as dirt and mud can get
trapped and packed solid behind the mud flaps.
• Check front and rear panels just below the bumpers for stone chip damage
• Check along sills for damage or corrosion
• Clean out apertures were the bonnet and boot fit to the body.
• If a sun-roof is fitted it is always a good idea to open roof at regular
intervals to ensure it is not stuck due to lack of use after winter time.
• Open the roof and clean surrounding rubber seal and slider channels, also
check drain holes for blockage.
• Clean inside fuel filler flap/door (This area usually gets missed when
cleaning car)
It is surprising how much the winter months can affect these areas.
THE FOLLOWING ARE JUST A FEW AREAS THAT ARE VULNERABLE
1/ Body sills
2/ Front and rear panels (below bumpers)
3/ Inner sills (These may become chipped and knocked due to kick damage whilst
getting in and out of your car.
4/ Wing edges
5/ Door edges
6/ Joints and seams
7/ Area around sun-roof aperture
8/ Bonnet and boot apertures (The area were these shut onto the body)
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