The general condition of the body to a decisive extent determines the appearance of the latter and the cost of the car.
Caring for the body does not present great difficulties, it does not require exact observance of maintenance periods. However, carelessness in handling it, in particular minor damage, can cause a lot of trouble to the car owner over time, causing serious damage to the metal, requiring expensive repairs. It is especially important to carefully inspect hidden and therefore not always accessible areas of the body, such as the bottom, wheel arches and the lower part of the engine compartment.
The main body care operation is its washing, preferably done with a jet of water and avoiding damage to the paintwork by dirt particles, etc. It is also recommended to wash the wheel arches with a jet of water in order to better remove adhering dirt, which, in conditions of limited ventilation, contributes to the formation of corrosion, especially in winter, when roads are sprinkled with salt. Paradoxically, it is best to wash the wheel arches and the underbody just in wet weather, when the adhering and dried dirt softens better and lags behind under the action of a jet of water. On wet roads, the body is cleaned of dirt on its own, and this is an auspicious moment for inspecting the bottom.
The body can also be washed with a steam jet (including engine compartment), except when the bottom is preserved with a wax-based protective mastic. This method is widely used in garages and service stations and is good because it allows you to remove oil contamination in some hard-to-reach places. If this method is not available, then we recall that there are a number of quality car detergents, sold both in aerosol packaging and suitable for use with a brush, after which the only thing left to do is wash off the dirt with a jet of water. It should also be noted that these preparations are not suitable for vehicles whose underbody is preserved with the above mastic, because in this case the wax coating will be destroyed by the washing preparation. In general, the body of vehicles with such a coating should usually be checked only once a year, usually in the fall, after rains, when there is no adhering dirt on the bottom. At the same time, you can check the condition of the bottom and hidden places of the body. It is also recommended to wax the hidden cavities of the body; door sills, the inside of the wings, etc., thereby increasing its protection against corrosion.
After washing the bodywork, wipe it down with chamois leather to give the bodywork a sheen, as the finish may fade due to dried water stains. The applied coat of wax coating will give the paintwork more shine and, in addition, protect it from harmful chemicals in the air. If the body is not completely clean, use special detergents that both give shine to the body and have a polishing effect. Working with such drugs will take additional time, but the effect obtained will justify the costs.
It is recommended to periodically inspect and, if necessary, clean the drainage holes of the thresholds and doors, as well as the drain parts of the heating and ventilation system, in order to ensure a quick flow of water. Chrome degals of the body require the same care as the paintwork. Car windows need to be washed with a special compound. It is forbidden to use preparations intended for body washing and containing wax or polishing compositions for this purpose.