Automotive factories are working to increase the life of cars. As a result of these efforts, the engine and other units retain their performance for a long time, while the body - the main part of the car - becomes unusable. To reach such a state, he needs only some 6-7 years.
How acute the problem of body aging and corrosion is is proved by numerous studies conducted around the world. Corrosion is so aggressive that it begins to affect cars already in the first year of their operation, and in the 3rd year, according to research by the Moscow Automobile and Road Institute, 130-150 corrosion centers appear on the bodies of domestic passenger cars.
A favorable environment for the development of corrosion is created by:
- high stresses of body parts and vibrations;
- the emergence of various intricate designs with hidden cavities - convenient storage of moisture and dirt;
- various decorations, sometimes without measure and taste hung on the car. The contact of these decorative parts with the metal of the body became a hotbed of corrosion;
- quality (porosity, microcracks) the metal itself, where each pore, with the access of moisture, becomes a trace element;
- an environment with a high content of fuel combustion products and sulfur dioxide, which, interacting with moisture, forms sulfuric acid;
- road de-icing chemicals, among which calcium chloride and sodium are excellent at absorbing moisture, creating a life-giving environment for the development of corrosion.
Owners «Zhiguli» acutely felt the threat looming over the car. The threat was also felt at the plant. Dozens of institutes and laboratories, designers, metallurgists, and chemists joined the fight against corrosion. The paint and varnish industry has mastered the production of water-borne and synthetic primers and enamels with accelerated drying of coatings and increased anti-corrosion properties. Welded seams - sources of corrosion - began to be treated with D-11A plastisol mastic. The front fenders, where there are convenient niches for the accumulation of moisture and dirt, were additionally covered with zinc-chromate tread primer. The bottoms of the bodies and the internal cavities of the doors began to be treated with epoxy primer, which has high protective properties.
For the first time in the domestic automotive industry, VAZ would use a phosphating activator that improves the quality of the phosphate film, and hence the protective and adhesive qualities. Finally, having overcome numerous technical difficulties, VAZ introduced 100% anti-corrosion treatment of hidden cavities in the rhythm of the conveyor using effective materials Tekfyl 309 AW-20 (Sweden) and domestic NGM-ML and «Movil». However, many years of experience confirms that even the most thorough anti-corrosion treatment of a car at the factory effectively lasts a maximum of 2 years. Corrosion is a vigilant enemy. She clings to every tiny area exposed from the protective coating. It bites into the pores and microcracks, continuing its work secretly, under a layer of paint and soil, and if you do not wage a fierce fight, evil will triumph. It is very difficult to stop the process that has begun. You can only slow down its development.
Properly operate the car, carefully monitor it, effectively use those «auto medicines», which are produced in sufficient assortment and quantities by the chemical industry, and the car will serve you faithfully for much longer than it should according to technical conditions. All manufactured drugs have proven themselves well. They are reliable and easy to use (available in small packages and aerosols). These preparations are able to protect the car from corrosion and maintain its beautiful appearance for a long time.
As in any business, using autopreparations, one should not lose a sense of proportion. First of all, you need to carefully study the instructions for the appointment and method of using the selected drug. This will minimize annoying mistakes that can leave an indelible mark (literally and figuratively. It is advisable to approach the choice of the drug creatively, remembering that many of them belong to the same group, are interchangeable and the use of some does not require the use of others. One of the main conditions for extending the life of a car - the day of purchase and throughout its entire service life - is to keep it clean and shiny. Only constant sanitary and hygienic treatment allows you to extend the age of the car.
To fight effectively, you must first of all know the enemy, know his strengths and weaknesses. Before giving advice on how to process, wash a car, a few words about pollution. It turns out that pollution is complex multi-layered combinations of gas, soot, dust, asphalt particles, mineral oils and greases. Research by Czechoslovak experts found that the top layer consists of freely adhering silicate particles mixed with organic matter. This layer can be easily washed off with water. The second layer is the remains of exhaust gases from cars, soot, asphalt particles, insects and fatty substances. It can be washed off using car shampoos. The third layer contains oxidation products of polishing and preservatives and particles of destroyed paintwork. The last, fourth layer consists of pigment particles surrounded by free particles released from synthetic resins. These two layers can be removed either chemically or by using abrasive pastes.
As you can see, the mud is complex in composition and structure, so it should not be so simple washing process.