Keep your car, and your pride, sparkling

Lead in: Dust, grime and pollution can mar the car's colour. But fret not! Besides washing and waxing, there are many other ways to retain the original sheen of your automobile and your image.

A car may be one of your most prized possessions. Its gleaming exterior may even garner attention, adding to your pride. But how do you ensure that you keep the car in 'sparkling' condition for years to come?

Automobiles are constantly exposed to harsh climatic conditions in India. Neglecting the effects of these conditions might mean an expensive paint job or a lower resale price for your car. To avoid this, care for your car's exterior body and paint right from the beginning. Washing and waxing your car regularly for keeping the car exterior perfect is one of the oldest car maintenance tips given by experts.

We get into the intricacies of washing and waxing for retaining that precious sheen.

Car wash
For a thorough car wash, you will require a hose pipe, a water bucket, car shampoo and a sponge or wash mitt. Once you have these items, follow these simple steps for washing your car:

• Use room temperature water with the shampoo to wash your car. Avoid hot water as it softens the wax which needs to be applied later on.
• Use the sponge or wash mitt to avoid scratching or damaging the painted surface.
• For rinsing, water should be sprayed gently, as strong jet sprays grind into the surface.
• Before moving on to waxing, dry the car completely.

Wash and clean your car thoroughly at least once a month. You can even use a car service centre or garage for the same. The above-mentioned tips should help you maintain the shining surface of your car.

Car wax
Waxing is an important aspect of cleaning the car exterior. However, it is not given due importance by Indian car owners. It is advisable to get your car waxed by an expert in a service centre or garage. However, if you plan to undertake waxing yourself, you will need wax or polish, an applicator pad, a chamois or soft cloth and a hand buffer. There are various electronic devices available in the market, which are specifically designed for waxing a car. Keep the following pointers in mind while waxing your vehicle:

• It is important to wash off dirt and grime and dry the automobile before waxing to attain the desired shine.
• Choose good quality car wax products. Duplicate products may contain abrasives, which may affect your vehicle's paint adversely.
• You can either use one of the electronic waxing tools available in the market or wax your car manually.
• Car windows, door or rubber trims, glass and mirrors should be coated during the process, as wax stains these surfaces.

Car waxing should be undertaken at least once every quarter to preserve the car paint. It is crucial in preventing the dirt and grime from dulling the surface of your car.

In addition to these, take preventive action to preserve your car's sheen for long.

• Keep your car covered or parked in shaded areas to avoid fading
• Apply rust proofing solutions in rust-prone spots
• Use products like degreasers, tar or bug removers, etc.
• Use a clay bar to remove contaminants and smoothen the exterior

The tips mentioned above will help keep your car in a pristine condition for a long time and maintain its exterior. Try to use a car service centre or garage which offers washing or waxing services, so that you get the best for your car.
So go on, grab everyone's attention with that super shiny vehicle.