Auto Body Maintenance
When buying a vehicle, one of the most important things to remember is that after a while, a vehicle's body will decay and rust over time if not properly maintained. Without the body, the vehicle is just a frame with four wheels. Here are some basic tips on how to maintain the vehicle's body, and keep it looking like it just rolled off of the lot:
Wash the vehicle
When the vehicle is driven, it collects dirt, dust, mud, etc. So, to reduce the chances of the body becoming damaged due to corrosion and rust, washing the vehicle will be a lifesaver. Try to avoid using high pressure washers and drive in car washes on a regular basis. They are useful after the winter months to remove heavy salt build up underneath your vehicle and along the inside the wheel wells, but if they are used all of the time, they can dull and chip the pain, as well. Wash your vehicle using a low pressure hose, a bucket and soft sponge. Fill the bucket with water, and soap ,then wash the vehicle vigorously with the sponge, then use the hose to rinse off the soap. Be sure not to use dish washing liquid, laundry detergent, or any other household soaps. These soaps can fade the paint over time. Use soap made for motor vehicles which can be picked up in any department or hardware store.
Undercoat the vehicle
Undercoating is a vital part of basic auto body maintenance. This is the process of spraying a coating underneath the vehicle. This coating is made from various ingredients such as fibreglass, rubber, ceramics, silicone, asphalt, or petroleum. It protects the undercarriage of the vehicle from salt, corrosion and rust. Some vehicle owners do not choose to undercoat their vehicle, and the results can be extremely damaging. If the vehicle is exposed to salt, extreme moisture, and other harsh elements, corrosion can form. This results in rust which can damage the body, by causing large holes and paint chipping. The process of undercoating is an affordable option that can add years to the life of a vehicle.
Waxing the vehicle
Providing a coat of car wax can maintain a beautiful gloss to a vehicle if applied properly. Car wax protects the vehicle from hot and humid temperatures. It also protects the body from extreme sunlight, which can fade the paint after time. Wax can be purchased at most department or hardware stores, and has detailed instructions on how to apply it. Be careful when applying wax to the vehicle, if it is applied too hard the paint will be damaged and can rub off. This can result in premature gloss fading of the vehicle. Also ensure that you wax only the body, as wax can damage hood ornaments, lettering and the like. Depending on the brand name, and type of wax, the number of times it can be applied per year can vary. It can range from three to four times a year, to less than that. Waxing can make any vehicle look beautiful when it is used properly and lovingly.
These are but a few basic tips to ensure the body of a vehicle can stay in tip top shape. If every single motor vehicle owner used these tips and applied them to their vehicles, they would save tens of thousands of dollars in auto body repair over the respective lives of those vehicles.
