Exterior Care

General Precautions for Exterior Care

When using chemical cleaners or polishes, it is very important to follow the instructions on the labels. Carefully read all warnings on the labels.

Paint Care

Vehicle Washing

To protect the paint from corrosion and wear, wash the vehicle thoroughly with slightly warm or cold water at least once a month.

After driving off-road, always wash the vehicle after each trip. Pay special attention to removing any accumulation of salt, dust, dirt, and other foreign materials. Make sure the drain holes in the lower surfaces of the doors and suspension panels are clear of debris.

Insects, tree resin and sap, bird droppings, industrial fallout and similar contaminants can damage the paint finish of your vehicle if they are not removed promptly.

However, even when washed promptly with water, it is not always possible to remove all contaminants. For more effective washing, use a non-alkaline soap that is safe for painted surfaces.

After washing, thoroughly rinse the vehicle with slightly warm or cold water. Do not allow the soap solution to dry on the paint finish.

Wax Polishing

Apply wax only after water no longer beads on the painted surface of the vehicle.

Before waxing, be sure to wash and dry the vehicle. To polish the vehicle, use a high-quality liquid wax or wax paste and follow the instructions of its manufacturer.

Apply wax to all metal components to protect them and maintain their shine.

When removing oil, resin or similar substances with a paint spot remover, the wax coating is usually also removed.

Be sure to restore the wax coating on these areas, even if waxing of the rest of the vehicle is not currently required.

Repairing Paint Finish Damage

Deep scratches or chips from stones on the painted surface must be repaired promptly. Exposed metal corrodes quickly, which may ultimately lead to significant repair costs.

NOTE

If your vehicle is damaged or requires any repair or replacement of metal parts, make sure the repair shop applies anti-corrosion treatment to replaced and repaired parts.

Care of Polished Metal Parts

• To remove tar and insect residue, use a product specifically designed for this purpose. Do not use a scraper or other sharp object.
• To protect polished metal surfaces from corrosion, apply a protective wax coating or a chrome-containing protectant, and rub to a higher shine.
• In winter or in coastal areas, apply a thicker layer of wax or protectant to polished metal parts. If necessary, cover these parts with non-corrosive petroleum jelly or another protective compound.

Underbody Care

Corrosive substances used for removing ice and snow can accumulate under the underbody. If these substances are not removed promptly, corrosion of underbody components such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and exhaust system parts may accelerate, even if they have been treated with a corrosion protection agent.

Thoroughly wash the underbody and wheel housings with a strong stream of slightly warm or cold water at least once a month, and after driving off-road and at the end of the winter season. Pay special attention to this area of the vehicle, since accumulated dust and dirt are difficult to see on it. Merely wetting ingrained dirt without removing it will do more harm than good.

Make sure that the drain holes in the lower part of the doors, suspension component panels and frame parts do not become clogged with dirt; water remaining in these areas may cause corrosion.

WARNING

After washing the vehicle, check the brake system operation by driving at low speed to make sure that water has not entered the brake system components. If brake system performance has decreased, dry the brake assemblies by continuing to drive at low speed and lightly depressing the brake pedal.

Care of Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels

Aluminum or chrome-plated wheels have a protective coating.

• Do not use abrasive cleaners, polishing compounds, solvents or wire brushes to clean aluminum or chrome wheels. This may cause scratches or damage the finish.
• Clean the wheels only after they have cooled down.
• Use only non-alkaline soap or a neutral cleaner. Rinse the wheels thoroughly with water. Always clean all wheels after driving on roads where salt has been applied. This helps prevent corrosion.
• Do not wash the wheels with high-speed car wash brushes.
• Do not use cleaners containing acid. They may damage and cause corrosion of protectively coated aluminum or chrome wheels.

Corrosion Protection

Protecting the Vehicle from Corrosion

Using the most advanced design and manufacturing technologies for corrosion protection, we produce vehicles of the highest quality. However, this is only part of the task. Long-term corrosion protection also requires help and cooperation from the owner.

Main Causes of Corrosion

The main causes of vehicle corrosion are:

• Road salt, dirt and moisture that accumulate on the underbody of the vehicle.
• Chips in the paint or protective coatings caused by stones and gravel, as well as minor chips and dents that leave bare metal exposed to corrosion.

Areas of Active Corrosion

If the vehicle is operated in locations where it is constantly exposed to corrosive materials, corrosion protection is especially important. Some causes of increased corrosion are road salt, chemicals used on roads, sea air and industrial pollution.

Moisture as a Source of Corrosion

Moisture creates the conditions in which corrosion is most likely to occur. For example, corrosion processes are accelerated by high humidity, especially when the ambient air temperature is slightly above freezing.

Under these conditions, moisture that evaporates too slowly keeps corrosive materials in constant contact with the vehicle surface.

Dirt is a particularly active source of corrosion because it dries slowly and holds moisture on the vehicle surface. Even if dirt appears dry, it may still contain moisture and promote corrosion.

High temperatures can also promote corrosion in poorly ventilated areas of the vehicle where moisture may collect. For all these reasons, it is especially important to keep your vehicle clean and to remove dirt and other deposits regularly. This applies not only to visible areas but also to the underbody of the vehicle.

Preventing Corrosion

You can help prevent corrosion by taking the following actions:

Keep your vehicle clean.

The best way to prevent corrosion is to keep your vehicle clean and regularly remove deposits of corrosive materials. It is very important to pay special attention to the underbody of the vehicle.

• If you operate the vehicle in areas of active corrosion (where roads are salted, near the sea, in regions with heavy industrial pollution, acid rain, etc.), take special measures to prevent corrosion. In winter, wash the underbody of the vehicle with a water jet at least once a month, and after the winter season, wash it thoroughly.
• When cleaning the underbody, pay special attention to areas that are not easily visible. Clean thoroughly; simply wetting the dirt instead of washing it off will increase corrosion rather than prevent it.

High-pressure water and steam are especially effective at removing dirt and corrosive deposits.
• When cleaning the lower part of the doors, suspension components and structural members, make sure the drain holes are open so that moisture can evaporate and does not collect inside, which accelerates corrosion.

Keep the garage free of moisture

Do not park the vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated garage.

This creates favorable conditions for corrosion. This is especially true when you wash the vehicle inside the garage or park a vehicle covered with snow, ice or dirt in the garage. Even a heated garage can create conditions that promote corrosion if it is poorly ventilated and moisture does not evaporate.

Keep the paint and trim panels in good condition

Scratches and chips in the paint should be covered with quick-drying paint as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood of corrosion. If bare metal is found, it is recommended to contact a specialized body repair shop.

Bird droppings: Bird droppings are highly corrosive. They can damage the paint within a few hours.

Remove bird droppings immediately.

Do not forget the interior

Moisture that causes corrosion can collect under floor mats and floor coverings. Periodically check that there is no moisture under the mats. Be especially careful if you use the vehicle to transport fertilizers, cleaning materials or chemical reagents.

Such materials must be transported only in containers designed for them, and any drips or stains must be wiped off, rinsed with clean water and thoroughly dried.