To avoid scratches on the paintwork, do not remove dust and dirt with a dry wiping material. It is better to wash the car before the dirt dries with a low-pressure stream of water using a soft sponge. In summer, wash the car outdoors in the shade. If this is not possible, then immediately wipe the washed surfaces dry, since when water droplets dry in the sun, stains form on the painted surface. In winter, after washing the car in a warm room, wipe the body and door seals dry before leaving, since when the remaining drops freeze, cracks may form on the paintwork. It is not recommended to use soda and alkaline solutions, as well as waste water, to wash the car, so that the coating does not fade.
Before washing the car, clean the drainage holes of the doors, thresholds and the cavities of the front wings. When washing the car, avoid direct water jets on electrical equipment, electronic devices, sensors and detachable connections in the engine compartment. Monitor the condition of the protective covers of the detachable connections of electronic units and sensors. If moisture gets in, blow out the detachable connections with compressed air and treat them with water-repellent automotive products to protect the contacts from oxidation.
When washing, thoroughly wash the door flanges, hood, welded seams and joints of the engine compartment and door openings, since accumulated dirt in these areas leads to the destruction of the protective and decorative coating and to metal corrosion.
If signs of corrosion are detected (corrosion deposits, local paint blisters, etc.) clean the damaged area with fine sandpaper until the metal is bare, treat it with Fosfakor cold phosphating agent or another similar agent, cover it with primer and paint it with enamel selected at the service station.
Chips and scratches on the paintwork, chipped mastic on the wheel arches and on the bottom are associated with mechanical impact of an operational nature. Traces of corrosion on welded joints and joints of body parts are superficial in nature and can be removed with polishing pastes at the initial stage. If measures are not taken in a timely manner to eliminate defects in the protective and decorative coating of an operational nature, this will lead to the development of corrosion under the coating layer, its peeling and swelling.
To increase the corrosion resistance of the body, a special anti-corrosion compound is applied to the closed box-shaped cavities of the thresholds, side members, cross members and other elements of the body base. When operating the car, we recommend restoring the protective coating of the hidden cavities of the body yourself or at maintenance facilities during the first year of operation and periodically once every 1.5-2 years.
During vehicle operation, the underbody coating is exposed to gravel, sand, and salt. As a result of this exposure, the mastic and primer wear off, and the exposed metal rusts. Therefore, regularly monitor the condition of the underbody coating and promptly restore damaged areas.
To maintain the shine of painted surfaces of the car (especially for vehicles stored outdoors) polish them regularly using polishing pastes. These pastes close microcracks that appear during operation in the paint coating, which prevents corrosion under the paint layer.
To ensure that the car body surface retains its shine for a long time, do not leave the car in the sun for a long time, and do not allow acids, soda solutions, brake fluid and gasoline to come into contact with the car body surface.
To prevent stains on the paintwork under the fuel filler flap from gasoline, wipe the surface with a clean cloth before and after refueling.
[The article is copied from the website: vazbook]
Wipe plastic parts with a damp cloth. It is not recommended to use gasoline or solvents, otherwise the plastic parts will lose their shine. Of the auto products for cleaning plastic parts, we recommend using universal interior cleaners.
Remove dust from cushion and seat upholstery with a vacuum cleaner. At the same time, thoroughly wipe the rubber seals and the door surfaces that come into contact with them with a damp cloth.
Clean the glass with a soft linen cloth or chamois. Wash very dirty glass first with water and windshield washer fluid (30 cm³ per 1 l of water).
Due to the unfavorable environmental conditions in some areas, there are cases of aggressive impact of individual components from the environment on the protective and decorative coatings of the car. These effects are manifested in the form of a red rash, local color change of the external paint coating, local destruction of the enamel coating of the body.
The cause of the appearance of red rash is the deposition of tiny particles of airborne metal dust on the horizontal surfaces of the body, which is glued to the body by corrosion products during wetting with dew. Red rash can be removed with a 5% solution of oxalic acid, followed by abundant rinsing with clean water, after which the body must be polished. Without special measures, it is gradually removed by subsequent washing or rain.
Local changes in colour (spots) of the external paintwork and local destruction of the enamel coating of the body are the result of exposure to acidic industrial emissions after their combination with air moisture. Such effects, depending on the severity, are eliminated by polishing or repainting the body.