The top 10 tips for maintaining your car’s bodywork

Impacts from inclement weather, splashes, droppings, bumps, and insects…

The fact that a car’s bodywork is one of its favorite victims is something that all of this has in common.

As a result, it is essential to place a primary emphasis on safeguarding this component of our vehicle. Both its effectiveness and useful life will increase due to this modification.

As a result of this, in the new article that we publish on Motorbli, we will try to shed some tips or advice that can be used to take care of your vehicle’s bodywork as tactfully and sensitively as possible. Y

You must pay attention to the information provided below, especially if you have just recently purchased a car or are planning to sell it reasonably.

In either case, it serves your best interests to do so.

What exactly do I need to do to ensure that the bodywork remains pristine?

It is time to get down to the nitty-gritty of the situation and go into detail about each action that can assist you in maintaining the best possible conditions for this most critical component of a car:

1. Periodic exterior cleaning

This may be one of the more obvious recommendations that will come up along these lines. Despite this, one should not conclude that its significance has been diminished in any way.

The fact of the matter is that some of the particles derived from the dirt can be corrosive, which means that they can wear down the metal typically used to make it.

Because of this, it is not simply a matter of appearing radiant.

At the very least, it is recommended that this cleaning task be carried out once a month, using pressurized water and your hands, as well as products that have been specifically prepared to carry out this task, which, preferably, should be soaps that should be composed of neutral PH.

In addition, it is recommended that you use products that have been specifically prepared to carry out this task.

To complete the process, it is recommended that rather than sponges, you use microfiber cloths or gloves because sponges collect dirt and have the potential to cause minor scratches.

You’re possibly confused about why it’s not a good idea to go to the car wash with the vehicle to speed up the process.

There’s a good reason for this: the rollers have the potential to be very rough and scratch the car.

On the other hand, if you know of a reliable location that can manage this factor so that it does not hurt your vehicle, you should go there.

2. Park the automobile inside the garage

This is yet another simple step to take; it can help you avoid many issues caused by the weather.

Some examples of these issues include intense precipitation in the form of rain or even hail, as well as the ultraviolet rays that come from the sun.

On the other hand, if you decide to protect your vehicle from the elements by parking it in the garage, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:

Parking lots that have too small spaces: in this scenario, it is best to avoid a location surrounded by other vehicles because there is a risk of other drivers unintentionally damaging the car’s bodywork.

The presence of pipes in basements: if there is a persistent leak, it is likely that very resilient stains will appear, which will detract from the overall appearance of the vehicle.

If you do not have access to a garage, you will need to exercise extreme caution when parking your vehicle.

You should avoid parking it in crowded areas for the same reason as the risk of rubbing or unintentional damage by third parties.

You should also avoid parking it underneath trees because these plants release pollen, resin, and droppings from the animals visiting them.

If you do not have access to a garage, you will need to exercise extreme caution when parking your vehicle.

As long as you park it for a week or more, it is not only a good idea but also a good idea if you have a cover for it. Some on the market are very acceptable that cost about 60 euros.

3. Take immediate action in response to the blows

A prompt and quick action after a blow will prevent, for example, the sheet metal from rusting if it is exposed to the sun.

This means that the damage will have to be repaired more brutally.

The vehicle’s stability may also be compromised depending on the parts that have suffered the blow, as damage to the structure may affect the driver’s safety while driving the vehicle.

The features that have sustained the blow are described in the following sentence.

Going to a workshop staffed by knowledgeable people and stocked with the appropriate equipment is your best bet for finding a solution.

For instance, if there is a scratch on the window, the best course of action is to take corrective action as soon as possible to stop the glass from cracking entirely and avoid the expense of having to replace the entire window. It shouldn’t take more than an hour to finish this task.

On the other hand, it is covered by insurance, and if you do not have insurance, it can cost you approximately 60$.

4. Give the paint a final coat of polish

At the very least, polishing the paint should be done once every two to three years.

Polishing the paint involves removing the topmost layer of color with a polishing machine and an abrasive paste.

Its purpose is to restore the surface to its optimal condition, to remove minor marks and scratches, and, finally, to restore the shine that had been lost in the paintwork.

5. Waxing following the washing process

After the washing process has been finished, it is a good idea to give the car a coat of wax with a can because it leaves it shiny and creates a protective film that neutralizes the harmful effects dirt can have on the paintwork. Wax can be purchased in most auto parts stores.

However, to accomplish this, it is best to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer step by step. Otherwise, the paint may become damaged.

6. Exercise extreme caution when visiting the beach and other coastal areas

It is not uncommon for these areas to experience the accumulation of minute ferrous deposits due to the passage of time.

These deposits can potentially permeate the sheet metal and give rise to rust spots.

Because of this, we are applying a decontaminant once every two years is a good idea to eradicate these deposits once and for all. On the market, an item of this kind can be purchased for nearly twenty euros.

In addition, if there is a beach in the area, you should be aware that the corrosive effects of the salty air on the supporting structure should be avoided at all costs.

Applying a product that decontaminates to make those deposits mentioned above disappear and a layer of wax is essential.

On the other hand, it is necessary to park the car in a shady area to protect it from heat, sand, and salt.

7. Check the headlights, tires, and undercarriage of the vehicle

Since the headlights are an essential component of the bodywork, it is recommended that their condition be checked regularly.

The care that they require is highly comparable to that which is required of the other components that are found in this area.

However, it is recommended that you change them every three to four years through a polishing process.

The user can do this process at his own expense for about fifteen euros, allowing them to regain their original shine while also ensuring that any slight deterioration they may have suffered in the past does not get any worse.

If the wheels are correctly maintained, they can prevent damage to the bodywork of the vehicle; to ensure this, it is a good idea to check that the pressure and wear that the wheels carry on their backs do not affect the bodywork.

It is best to replace them every 5-6 years. This is because in both of these scenarios, the damage to the rubber in the form of cracks or loss of grip, among other things, is accelerated.

If the car is frequently stationary for a long time or is driven outside, it is best to replace them every 5-6 years.

Even though it is not visible, splashes can cause significant damage to the underbody of a vehicle, making it one of the most vulnerable components of the car body.

This can lead to an accumulation of dirt and salt in the most recessed areas of the car due to gravel and stone chips and their impact on the wheel arches and exhaust, among other places.

This can occur because gravel and stone chips affect these areas.

Because of all these factors, it is recommended that you perform cleaning on the underbody of the vehicle with pressurized water using the lance of a car wash, for example, once every two months, and check the condition it is in when you take it to the workshop.

8. Stay away from the curbs and take care to protect the rims

To protect the integrity of the boundaries, it is best to avoid coming into contact with the edge of a curb as much as possible. This is especially important if the rims are made of some alloy.

When cleaning them, it is best to make use of specialized products that have a PH level that is neutral somewhere within their composition.

If they are not acidic, this is a significant plus because, if they are, it can cause damage to the lacquer layer that contains the paint and leave several large stains that have been impregnated.

9. Take special care when handling the plastic guards that cover the bumpers and the hood

The plastic protections in the air intakes of the bumpers and hood, among other areas of the car, must be handled with extreme caution because they can fall off at the most inconvenient and unanticipated of times.

In addition to what has been mentioned up to this point, their improper adjustment can allow dirt to freely enter areas that are supposed to be protected, which can result in extensive damage in the long run.

10. Change your habits according to the season

To draw a conclusion and provide a concise summary of everything that has been discussed, the following are some guidelines that should be followed to care for the bodywork depending on the season appropriately:

Summer

Because of the heat, stains caused by bird droppings and other types of birds become more permanent and must be removed immediately.

Beach corrosion also leaves damaging effects, so if you can park at a relative distance from it when you go, you will save yourself several problems.

Additionally, opting for shady spots that circumvent the paint wear that this produces is another excellent way to protect yourself from some trouble.

Autumn

Since this time of year is characterized by elements prone to making the automobile dirty, such as mud and leaves, it is necessary to clean the automobile more frequently than during other times.

Corrosion can be caused by moisture, so if you can’t avoid it, you need to pay attention to any damage it has caused, even if it’s only a little bit.

Because of the dangers posed by what could fall from trees, it is in everyone’s best interest to leave them alone.

Winter

Salt is a very effective remedy against snow, but it tends to adhere to the paintwork, as does mud, so it is essential to wash it consistently.

Salt is also an effective remedy against ice. Because of this, I was waxing it and protecting it from the weather necessary.

Additionally, it is essential to protect from rust the components of the vehicle most susceptible to salt damage (tires, wheels, underbody, windshield wipers, and front grill).

Spring

Temperature changes can cause tires to lose pressure, so it is essential to check on them whenever the temperature shifts significantly.

Put a cover on it to protect it from the resin if you have no choice but to park it under a tree or close to one.

Last but not least, windshield wipers can reduce insects’ desire during these months to make physical contact with moving vehicles; therefore, it is essential to ensure that they have the appropriate amount of fluid in them and to check their condition regularly.

¿Did you like the content?

Related articles