Maintenance - Body and Underbody

GENERAL INFORMATION

The overall condition of the body is one of the factors that strongly affects the value of the vehicle. Body maintenance is quite simple, but it must be performed regularly. Neglecting maintenance, especially after minor damage, can quickly lead to further deterioration of the body and increase the cost of subsequent repairs. It is very important to monitor the condition of parts that are not in plain view, such as the underbody, the inner surfaces of the wheel housings and the lower part of the engine compartment.

The main method of body care is washing, preferably with a large amount of water from a hose. This removes all dirt that may have adhered to the vehicle. Dirt must be rinsed off so that it does not scratch the paint. Wheel housings and the underbody must also be cleaned regularly with water to remove accumulated dirt, which holds moisture and promotes corrosion. Strange as it may seem, the best time to clean the underbody and wheel housings is in wet weather, when the dirt is damp and soft. In very wet weather, most deposits on the underbody are washed off by themselves, and this is the best time for inspection.

Periodically, unless a wax protective coating has been applied to the underbody, it is recommended to clean the underbody and the engine compartment with steam so that a thorough inspection can be carried out and any minor restoration or repair work required can be identified.

Steam cleaning can be performed at many repair shops and is necessary to remove all oil deposits, which sometimes build up in fairly thick layers in certain areas of the underbody. If steam cleaning is not available, use solvents: apply them to the underbody with a brush, then simply rinse off the resulting dirt with water. Note that these methods are not recommended for vehicles with a wax underbody coating, as it may be removed. Vehicles with such a coating should be inspected every year, preferably before the winter period, and the underbody must be washed and the protective coating restored. Ideally, a completely new protective coating should be applied. It is also recommended to use wax coating to fill door panels, sills and box sections for additional protection against rust, if such coating was not applied by the manufacturer.

After the painted surfaces have been washed, wipe them with a chamois to achieve a flawless surface finish. A layer of clean wax polish will provide additional protection against airborne chemicals. If the paint has dulled or oxidized, treat it with a cleaning and polishing compound to restore the shine. This operation is quite labor-intensive, however such dulling usually occurs because regular washing of the vehicle has been neglected. When working on painted metal surfaces, be especially careful: use non-abrasive cleaning and polishing compounds so as not to damage the polish. Always make sure the ventilation and drain holes and tubes are clean so that water can drain freely. Chrome finishes should be treated the same way as painted surfaces. An oily film that often forms on the windshield and glass can be removed with a suitable glass cleaner. Never use wax products or chrome polish on glass.