Auto Trader

Car protection - It is advisable to keep your car in a garage because apart from the reduced insurance premium it will be protected from tree sap, bird droppings and severe weather all of which can damage paintwork.


Storage - If you need to park your vehicle for an extended period (more than one month) there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage. Proper preparation helps prevent deterioration and makes it easier to get your vehicle back on the road; turn the engine over for at least 20 minutes every month (or more regularly in cold weather) to recharge the car battery. Also check the tyre pressures with the manufacturer's specification.

Products for car beauty:

• Special car washing product
• Sponge and Chamois cloth/soft towel
• Wax and/or polish
• Foam-type carpet cleaner
• Glass cleaner

For more information on making your car gleam, read our preparing your car for sale article.

Cleaning and preserving advice - Appearance Care- regular cleaning and polishing of your vehicle keeps it "new" looking: Wash and dry your car (always use high quality polishes containing mild abrasives). If your paint has a white, hazy look, to remove the top layer of dead paint, follow the instructions on the polish box. Use rubbing compound only in cases of extreme paint oxidation (rusting).
If the paint is dull and has no shine, apply a chemical cleaner to gently remove the dead paint layer. Wax your car immediately after polishing or cleaning it, in order to protect the newly exposed paint layer. This slows the process of oil evaporation from the new paint layer and maintains the shine.

Below are hints on how to clean and preserve the vehicle. Also included are several things that you can do to help prevent corrosion:


DO:

• Use car shampoos or polishes to wash your car
• Use covered parking or shade wherever possible
• Immediately touch up paint blemishes with the appropriate colour and type of automotive paint. (Consult your vehicle specification sheet for correct paint).
  
  
  

DON'T:

• Use laundry detergents or similar harsh soaps to wash your car. Harsh soaps will remove any protective wax plus the paints oil, which will dry out the paint and make it look flat.
• Let paint chips go unattended. Exposed metal could begin to rust when exposed to water and salt.
• Wash, polish or wax your car in the sun when the sun is hot. It could streak or stain the paint surface
• Use vinyl or plastic car covers in humid conditions. They trap moisture and could cause fungus.

Related articles

• Audio centre
• Security centre
• Parts and Accessories
• Vehicle registration certificates
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Buying and selling advice

• How to buy a used car
• How to haggle
• How to check a car before buying
• Preparing your car for sale
• Car depreciation