Buying a car involves making many decisions, one of which is deciding on a colour for your vehicle. Colour gives your car character, and to a certain extent reflects your personality: black could mean that you're cool dude (or at least you want to be) and red alludes to sensuality and excitement.
But more often than not, after just a few years on the road, many cars lose their lustre and start to look dowdy. Don't lose heart. The good news is that with proper care and maintenance your four-wheeler can still look its best!
Protection from the environment
The exterior of your vehicle is subject to environmental erosion. To protect your paintwork from external wear and tear, you should go through a preventive maintenance regimen.
Exposure to ultraviolet rays over an extended period will eventually corrode the paint, so you'll have to use protective coatings and sealants to neutralise the effects of ultraviolet rays.
Another factor is the corrosion that results from air pollutants coming into contact with your car body. Chemicals in the air are sometimes converted into sulphuric or nitric acids, and these acids, when deposited onto your vehicle either in a wet or dry form, will gradually erode the paint. To protect against this kind of damage, frequent washing is needed.
While we're on the topic of acidic corrosion, let's not forget bird droppings. Faeces have very high acid levels, and it takes only a matter of cays before they affect your paint. Make it a point to wipe off bird droppings as soon as possible, and rinse the areas thoroughly with water.
Importance of regular washing
Nothing beats the rejuvenating effect of regular washing. When the car body is clean, moisture dries up quickly; but when it's dirty, moisture can gain a foothold in dirty spots and eventually cause corrosion.
Aim to wash your car at least once a month, or if possible, once every week. After washing, don't leave your car to dry on its own- water marks will be left all over. Instead, wipe it dry with a soft cotton towel.
Once every half a year or thereabouts, wax your car after giving it a thorough wash. A layer of wax gives your vehicle a shiny look, and helps to shield the paint.
Source: The Straits Times Saturday, November 6 2010
Indeed, getting a vehicle is like an investment. It might take some time before you get your hands on one. Therefore, regular maintenance has to be done for the vehicle to make it last long. Doing the washing on your own will surely take some time. If you don't have that luxury, you can always opt for a hand car wash service.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, thanks for the comment. I also agree that getting a vehicle is really the next highest expenditure after our home. Thus it's important to take care of our prized procession.
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