Do You Know How To Properly Wash And Care For Your Vehicle?

Your vehicle is most likely the 2nd most expensive item that you will buy! Keeping that investment looking new is the smart thing to do. Here are some washing and paint care tips for anytime you clean your vehicle.

Rinse off as much dirt as you can prior to washing your vehicle. This will help prevent scratching from rubbing the dirt and grit into the surface. Never "dry wipe" your vehicle because it will scratch the finish!

After cleaning your wheels and tires, thoroughly rinse the wash mit or use a seperate mit for the vehicle body. Wheels and tires are usually covered with grit that can scratch the rest of the vehicle.

Use a designated car wash soap. Household detergents and soaps can strip your vehicle's wax and protective coatings off of the finish, causing it to age prematurely.

Avoid washing your vehicle in the direct sun. Dirt and soap will dry on the surface before you have a chance to rinse it off. If you drop your mit on the ground, make sure to rinse it off before continuing to wash the vehicle. Even the smallest particles of grit can scratch your vehicle's finish if left on the mit!

Wash in a straight line pattern with overlapping strokes. Make sure your fingers are guiding the wash mit into style line grooves, edges of moldings, and any uneven surface. This will insure that you don't have dirty patches left after you rinse the soap off the vehicle.

Be sure to wash all door jambs, trunk gutters, and engine compartments. Rinse dirt from suspension components and wheel wells. The build up of dirt holds moisture and can lead to rust problems.

Use a chamois or terry cloth towel to dry the finish. When vehicles are left to dry on there own, they will most likely develop water spots, especially if rinsed with hard water.

Never wax your vehicle in the direct sun light! It will make it extremely difficult to wipe your coat of wax off and could damage the finish. Be careful not to get any wax on textured moldings and bumpers, mask off the parts if necessary. Wax can discolor or damage textured and unpainted plastic parts.

Between the regular washing of your vehicle, avoid parking under trees. Sap, leaves, and the build up of moss will damage your vehicle.

After driving in salty conditions, such as salted roads or at the beach, wash or at least rinse your vehicle to prevent fading, corrosion, and rust damage.

Immediately rinse gasoline, oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or battery acid spills off of your finish!

Don't place luggage, grocery bags or other objects on the top of your car or trunk. The result of this could be dents and scratches.

Avoid brush style car washes because they can scratch the vehicle's paint.

Regularly vacuum and clean the interior of your vehicle. Ground in dirt can damage carpet and upholstery.

It is a great idea to get a Complete Detail once a year. Our Fix Auto Mall 205/Gateway location has a Full Service Detail Department.

Any of our Fix Auto Collision Centers will be happy to answer any questions you have about the care of your vehicle's paint. Click on our "Locations" tab to find the location nearest you.

GW2006