It’s just as important to maintain your car’s hard-to-find body features—such as the wheel wells, frame and engine compartment—as it is to maintain more immediately recognizable components like the windows and paint. Consider the following tips for keeping the entirety of your car’s exterior as flawless as possible:
Steam clean your car’s engine and underside at least once a year. When you remove all the accumulated dirt and oil, you can easily inspect for rust, broken brake lines or cables, faulty electrical wires and other problems. Make sure to grease the front suspension components after steam cleaning. You can also use a water-soluble degreaser when cleaning the engine, but be careful not to get too much water in the alternator.
Pay close attention to the wheel wells. The undercoating can peel away and stones and dirt thrown up by the tires can cause the paint to chip or flake, which in turn can invite rust. If you notice any rust spots, clean them down to the bare metal and apply a rust preventative paint.
Wash your car’s body once a week. Before you start washing, thoroughly wet the vehicle to loosen dirt, and then proceed with a soft sponge and soapy water. If you’re not careful about washing off surface dirt, you risk prematurely wearing down the car’s paint. Remove asphalt and tar spots with a soft cloth soaked in solvent.
Never skip drying. Drying your vehicle after washing it is necessary to prevent water spots. Auto detailing professionals advise using a 100 percent cotton detailing cloth or sheepskin chamois to dry your car—polyester and microfiber can scratch the paint surface. If you want to get more high-tech, many car care product lines offer “paint safe” drying towels that are super absorbent and claim to be lint- and scratch-free.
Clean vinyl trim as often as you clean the rest of the vehicle. There’s no need to use detergents, heavy-duty soap or petroleum-based cleaners on vinyl trim—regular soap and water will work fine. Use a soft brush to remove tough dirt. Apply a coat of rubber and vinyl protectant to keep the vinyl looking like new. It’s also a good idea to apply the protectant to radiator hoses and tires to prevent dry rot.
Don’t apply too much wax. It can be tempting to use a thick layer of wax, but too much will become hard to remove and leave a residue that can damage the finish. Use a damp sponge to apply a thin, even coat of wax. Use a cotton or microfiber cloth to carefully remove the wax once it’s dry.
