The
rigors of winter leave traces inside, outside and on the chassis of your car -
snow and ice can make bumps and salt can eat away at the metal. Our 5-step list
will help you do your spring cleaning and give your car its luster of
yesteryear.
Start at the bottom
The
first step in returning your car to spring tunes is to remove salt from the
underside of the vehicle. Run a garden hose under your car to wash all parts of
the frame exposed to weather and salt. If this part of the job puts you off,
you can always take your vehicle to a workshop where you wash the cars (and
chassis) manually.
Wash and wax your car
If
you decide to wash the car yourself, take a liquid or powder cleaner for the
body. If there is tar or other stains on the paint, use a stronger product
designed to protect the finish and remove stubborn stains. Do not use abrasives
that can scratch the paint, such as steel wool. Once your car is dry, apply the
wax. For a more durable protection car
covers, try a synthetic polymer wax.
Check your tires
As
standard car wash cleaners do not clean the tires well, use a tire and wheel
cleaner. Apply a good coat to the outer surface, then use a tire brush to scrub
vigorously from front to back. Once finished, apply the cleaner on the wheels,
let the solution work for a minute, then use a clean brush to remove any dirt.
Rinse wheels and tires with a garden hose and then dry them with a microfiber
towel.
Replace the wiper blades
The
beginning of spring marks the perfect time to replace the wiper blades,
especially if the rubber has cracked. In general, the wiper blades last about
six months - replace them each time you notice that they leave traces or
scratches on the windshield. Use any window coolant to clean the inside of your
front and rear windows (they may be dirtier than you think and it blocks your
vision).
Clean the interior
The
same salt and dirt that attacked the outside of your car during the winter
probably managed to seep in. Use a heavy shop vacuum to remove dirt between the
seats. Then take foaming foam cleaner for fabric seats, stain removers for
carpets and Armor All for delicate surfaces. For interiors containing leather
and wood, it is best to first consult the owner's manual and determine what
types of cleaners you can use. For most leathers, any leather conditioner with
a balanced pH that contains stain and waterproofing agents should do the trick.
For all wood grain surfaces, choose a product specifically formulated to clean
the type of wood in your car.
Home stuff for car maintenance
Some
car maintenance glitches can be solved without having to visit a mechanic. Here
is a list of common problems that can be easily resolved.
Cracks and splinters of glass
You
drive at high speed on the highway when a rock, thrown from a truck, hits the
windshield full force. That's enough to make your day disastrous. Not
necessarily. Cracks or splinters of glass are easy to repair. First, be sure to
prevent dust, mud or other types of dirt from entering the crack (or hole), as
this may affect its repair. To do this, stop the vehicle and cover the damaged
part with adhesive tape, leave it until the day of repair. Remember to repair
your windshield as soon as possible, as the weather and the vibrations caused
by driving can make the problem worse. Then, visit a car parts retailer and
purchase a repair kit designed for windshields (these kits contain clear resin
epoxy).
Scratches
Put
your finger on the scratch. If the stripe seems shallow, you are lucky because
only the clear coating has been damaged, the paint layer has remained intact.
Just go to a car parts retailer and get some polishing paste, then follow the
directions for use. On the other hand, if the scratch is deep, the polishing
will be useless. The only solution is to paint the stripe to hide it. Find nail
polish (at home, in a pharmacy or department store) the same color as your car
and gently paint the scratch, then let it dry. If you put too much varnish, you
can remove the excess with a cotton cloth soaked in nail polish remover. Let it
dry then start again.
Bumps
If
the bump is on or near the wheel well, you can repair it using a hammer, but
only after removing the plastic protector under the wheel arch. Before you
start, make sure you have activated the car's parking brake. Then, using a
small screwdriver, remove the four to six screws that hold the protector in
place. Depending on the size of the lump, you can deboss it with your fingers
or a hammer. On the other hand, if the bump is on the plastic protector, there
is no need to remove it. Slip under the vehicle and push with your fingers the
damaged part of the protector so that it returns to its original shape. If the
bump is on the side of the car, you will need to use suction to repair it.
To
get there, you need to find something with a suction cup, like some automatic
sharpeners. You can also find everything you need at a car parts dealer. Place
the suction cup on the bumpy part and pull: if you hear a little "pop",
you have succeeded! The body will have returned to its original shape. You came
across a charitable soul to give you a boost, but nothing helps, the car does
not restart . All is not lost. Check for
corrosion around the battery terminals (contact point of the cables). If this
is the case, pour soda on the corrosion to dissolve it. This will allow better
contact between the cables and the battery terminals, therefore, the motor is
more likely to restart. In addition, soft drinks contain electrolytes that
promote electrical current. Once back home, clean the battery with a little water
to remove beverage residue.
Wax on the bumper
While
waiting for the day when we will design easily removable waxes for cars, there
is always the good old WD-40 oil. Spray it on the wax and clean it with a rag
or an old toothbrush. The WD-40 is also effective in removing wax embedded in
the slots.
