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| Introduction: With
all the products in the market, it can be confusing choosing the right products for
maintaining your automobile. Manufactures sometimes use names such as polish, glaze, wax,
cleaner wax, but mean different things. Each manufacturer's product either does a specific
thing or does a few things all from one product. autosupermart.com is here to help you
sort through these various products and help you choose the products which will do the
best job for your specific need. Our main goal is to help keep your automobile looking and
feeling like new for 10 years or longer. Where short term goals are needed we have
indicated so.
The key to maintaining a show-room like shine is use know what
product to use on your car and how often to use it. Professionals in the industry know the
difference between wax, polish, glaze, pre-wax cleaner, wheel cleaner, wheel polish,
synthetic chamois, leather chamois, and hundreds of other terms. In order for you to know
what you need to use, you must first understand the meanings of these terms.
Car wash: As opposed to household detergents, a car wash is a light
detergent solution which removes dust and daily dirt while not removing the wax layer on
your paint.
Paint cleaners / pre-wax cleaners: Any cleaner contains abrasives
which remove layers of paint to show a new clean layer. They do this by smoothing the
surface of any scratches and cutting through any grime or stuck on particles on your
paint.
Polish / Glaze: Polishes and glazes are products which remove/hide
swirl marks and scratches, in addition they provide a deeper shine to your paint. Some
contain light abrasives to finely finish your paint surface of dirt and grime. They are
usually also good for removing light oxidation, water spots, scratches and swirl marks.
Some contain waxes or silicones. Polishes and Glazes are usually applied just before
waxing.
Wax: used to provide a finish with a layer of protection against
damage. Many waxes come with additives in them, such as a polish contained within a wax.
However a pure wax does only one thing, it protects. Key features of waxes are its
reflectivity, and its resistance to the environment over time.
Clear Coat Paint: This refers to the clear top coat of paint that is
applied over a colored base coat paint and is found on most vehicles built in recent
years. Clear coat increases the paint's durability, gloss, resistant to harmful
environmental effects. Oxidation: Weather and outdoor exposure to acid rain cause dulling
and haziness in paint, referred to as oxidation. Correction requires use of cleaners or
rubbing compounds which are harsher cleaners.
Orange Peel: This term represents the texture that one can notice in
paint when looked at from various angles. Some paints purposefully use orange peel to give
them depth while excessive orange peel is a paint defect.
Silicone: A chemical polymer that has a slippery feel. These are
used in waxes of lower quality to enhance wax use and removal and increase gloss and
durability. However they do cause paint damage therefore autosupermart.com does not carry
products which contain silicones for use on the paint surface.
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| History of Carnauba: Carnauba is derived from a wax palm tree (Caopernicia Cerifera) in various
parts of South America. Carnauba is the hardest wax known to man and has a very strong
grain structure. Along with its durability, Carnauba also produces a deep, natural shine
which makes it the main ingredient in many top quality waxes.
Carnauba is available in differing grades with the rarest #1 white
Carnauba found in the tropical rain forests of Brazil. This grade is very rare and
expensive, hence, many manufactures do not use it.
Other grades commonly found in waxes are #1 yellow, #2 yellow, and
#3 yellow. Because Carnauba is so expensive, manufactures seldom disclose the true
percentage of Carnauba in their wax products. Some waxes, such as the ones readily
available in department stores and auto part stores, only have around five-percent
Carnauba with other ingredients like silicone, and petroleum added to produce the
slippery, newly waxed feel on the automobile.
Carnauba can not be used in its purist form since it is extremely
hard, so some high-end manufacturers use up to 70-75% Carnauba in their waxes. This
produces an extremely deep-gloss and adds a layer of protection on the automobile that
will protect it from harsh environmental contaminants and harmful fallout.
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| Washing The
first step in maintaining your automobile is to wash it often. Car wash products are made
of a light detergent formulated for washing the surface dirt and grime off your paint.
Regularly washing your vehicle, at least once a week, will do far more in the long run to
keep your automobile looking clean and shinny.
Most people don’t wash their automobile often and let dirt pile
on which eventually causes fine scratches. When washing your car, the key is to use a
product specifically prescribed for use on a automotive paint. Household detergent and
cleaners are too strong and will remove the wax on your car and over time strip the clear
coat on your vehicle. It will also remove any protective layer of wax on the car, leading
to more scratches. Most car washes are pH balanced and have small amounts of wax or gloss
enhancers that add some protection to the surface of the paint.
When washing the car, make sure to first fully wet the car’s
surface and applicator sponge. It is a good idea not to use a nozel on the hose, this
allows the water to gently fall on the car as opposed to a hard pressure hitting your
delicate paint. Once the surface is wet, start from the top and work your way down. Try to
use a wash mitt rather than a sponge as the mitt allows the dirt to move up the fibers and
not scratch the paint. Always do the fender flares, wheel wells, and rocker panels last,
as that is usually the most dirtiest part of the vehicle and you want to keep your wash
mitt as clean as possible. When finished, rinse the car gently and allow the water to
sheet off, instead of spraying the vehicle causing water spots. This will leave minimal
water on the car and significantly reduce the drying time. Use of soft synthetic chamois
for drying you car. Leather chamois are not recommended because they contain acids that
strip the wax off the paint. Start with the top, then work your way down to the rocker
panels, don't forget to open the doors and dry all areas with that have water on them.
In between washing and during the winter months, you can use
detailer sprays that keep your vehicle clean of any dirt and add a thin layer of
protective wax. More frequent washes are needed during winter, as salt and dirt can cause
damage to your paint. It is mandatory that you wash you car at least once a week by either
taking it through an automatic wash or using self-served wash centers.
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| Cleaning Paint
Cleaners are a key ingredient in keeping your car looking new. A cleaner is an abrasive
product designed to remove fine layers of paint in order to renew dull paint, oxidation,
dirt and old hardened wax. Most people do not clean their paint often enough which leads
to a paint finish without any depth. Others clean too often leading to a thinning of the
paint which also leads to decreased paint depth over the years.
The most important benefit of using a cleaner is that is smoothes
the paint, hence, restoring shine and bringing the reflective mirror finish of the
original finish. It is recommended that you use cleaners, often called "polishes,
glazes or swirl mark removers" every 4 to 6 months. These products do not contain
heavy abrasives and work more to cover up swirl marks and scratches. Some companies have
developed clay bars that serve the same purpose as paint cleaners by removing contaminants
from your car's surface, leaving a smooth and clean finish. In general, paint cleaners
offer the "wet-look" and deep gloss shine that makes a car look so attractive.
Most companies just have one pre-wax cleaner, but some companies
have different grades of abrasives, such as fine, medium and heavy cleaners. These
products are intended to tackle more serious paint defects and help to control the degree
of control that is needed to remove the oxidation in the paint. The key thing to remember
when using these products is to start off with the lightest cleaner possible and then work
your way up to medium and heavy cut cleaner. Rubbing and polishing compounds generally do
the same things as a pre-wax cleaner, they just contain a heavier abrasive.
Waxing should follow cleaning. You should never leave your finish
unprotected for any long period of time since cleaners will not offer the same protection
that a good wax will.
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| Wheel Care: Using
a wheel cleaner specifically designed to remove harsh brake dust and other stuck on debris
is a essential step to do often. Today’s wheel cleaners are gentle enough for the
finish coating of most wheels, yet strong enough to remove all the dust. Do not use the
same wash mitt or sponge that you used to wash you cars on the wheels. Most wheel cleaners
come with a gentle brush or sponge that won’t damage the finish and allow you to get
into the deep creases.
Brake dust can cause permanent dirty wheels, therefore regularly
washing wheels, as much as every 3 days is sometimes essential. Applying wax to your
painted wheels after cleaning will greatly eliminate etching or burning from the small
particulars that come off the brakes. If your wheels are not painted, you may use a chrome
or mag aluminum cleaner which leaves a layer of slippery wax behind. This will not only
make your wheels shine with high gloss, but also provide the vital protection they need
from hot brake dust.
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| Waxing Once
the car has been washed and properly cleaned, the next step is to apply the wax which will
protect the surface of the vehicle with a thin barrier against environmental
deterioration. Pure waxes offer only protection to the paint while combination products
offer cleaning and protection in a single step. However use of these combination products
over times leads to paint thinning. Paste waxes are slightly more difficult to remove than
their liquid counterparts but tend to last longer.
Buffers are convenient, but they still can cause swirl marks and
still require buffing towels to give the final finish. Swirl marks are fine scratches in
your clear coat layer that can be caused by using rough towels, orbital buffers, and even
automatic car washes. Hand waxing is the best method as it reduces the likeliness that you
will scratch the finish or remove too much paint. Before waxing, carefully read the
directions and follow the recommended bonding time. Always apply in small areas at a time
and keep away from edges to avoid wax in tight areas which is very difficult to remove.
Start with top-most panels such as the front and rear hoods, and the roof. Always apply
with a side to side motion, not circular, and remove in the opposite side-to-side motion.
If possible, try to wax you car out of direct sunlight or during the evening time. In
direct sunlight, the wax hardens fast and becomes difficult to remove.
Most new automobiles only need regular washing and occasional
waxing. A simple test is water beading on your paint. When this no longer occurs, you need
to wax again. You may also wax when you feel the paint has lost its smoothness to the
touch. When the paint’s surface is rough, it’s very easy for it to be scratched
by dust and other contaminates. For cars that are garaged on a daily basis, a good wax can
last for as much as 4 months, however, if it is parked outdoors, you will need to wax you
car at least every 1-2 months.
New Automobiles that have factory paint finishes can be waxed right
away. Factory paint finishes are cured at high temperatures without the molding and trims,
so by the time you bring your vehicle home it is perfectly cured and ready to wax.
Automobiles that have been repainted at auto-body shops need at least 2 months to cure
since they use lower temperatures to prevent any non-metal components from being damaged.
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| Leather Care Proper
care of leather seats is an essential step to maintaining a soft and supple feel over the
life span of your automobile. Leather that is not properly cared for will loose its
natural oils causing hardening and cracking. It is very important that you use only
leather products on leather seats.
Leather cleaners need ingredients that lift and remove dirt without
driving it into the leather's fibers. Dirt which can include salty sweat, body oils,
insect repellents, and airborne debris needs to be cleaned off your leather first. Leather
conditioners by contrast, need ingredients that penetrate deeply between the lether fibers
to lubricate and keep them supple. Protein bonds hold leather fibers together in a tangled
mass. As leather dries out, its fibers shrink and pull away from one another, breaking
these protein bonds. Once broken they are gone forever and the leather's structure is
permanently weakened.
A good leather conditioner should penetrate easily between the
fibers and oxidize slowly so that its effects last. Some products use vegetable oils,
animal fats such as lard oil, and petroleum based oils such as mineral oil. Conditioner
should also be easily to wipe on and off, and leave no surface greasiness. The
conditioning effects should be long lasting. A conditioner should not be slipperly when
applied, even if over applied, and should not darken light leather even slightly.
You will first need to clean the leather and then feed it to restore
essential oils. When choosing a leather cleaner, be sure to avoid products intended for
vinyl or that have silicone in them. Vinyl products will be to harsh and silicone based
products will leave you leather with a sticky feeling.A high quality leather cleaner will
be strong enough to clean the leather of dirt and grime, yet gently enough to keep the
leather soft and supple.
After cleaning the leather, you will need to apply a high-quality
conditioner. Conditioning the leather should be done every 2-3 months while cleaning can
be done at least twice a year. Leather dash boards are very prone to cracking, tightening,
and drying because of direct UV rays and should be cared for more often than your seats.
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| Engine Care: Keeping
the engine in top condition not only makes the car perform better, but also saves you a
lot of money in repairs in the long run. Using quality products can significantly increase
your engine's operating life and give you peace of mind that you automobile won't brake
down on those long road trips.
With today's advancements in technology, numerous products have
emerged that will keep your engine running for years to come. Switching to synthetic motor
oils allows the engine to run smoother by lubricating internal components better. Also,
with less friction, you engine's temperature will be lower that if you where using
conventional oils. And lastly, synthetic oils don't brake down as fast as conventional
oils, which means you will not need to change oil every 3000 miles.
Another great way to keep your engine running in top condition is to
use one of the various engine flush systems in the market. These products are designed to
dissolve engine deposits and maintain good clean oil circulation around the internal
components of the engine. They also help to condition the polymer seals around you engine
and prevent minor oil leak from occurring.
An important component in your engine to maintain is your fuel
injection system. Today's fuel injector systems can easily form deposits that can reduce
fuel efficiency and reduce engine performance. Using top quality fuel additives will
remove dirt and debris from fuel systems and can save you expensive repair bills in the
long run. Most cleaners have detergents that dissolve deposits and clean all areas of the
fuel injector. Fuel injector cleaners also reduce emissions and help improve accelerations
and idling.
Cleaning your engine and conditioning vinyl and rubber parts is
another great way to keep your engine in new condition. Start by using an engine cleaner
solution or a car wash product and with a brush or sponge, clean all the major components.
After washing off the soup, gently remove excess water with a soft cotton towel. Start the
engine and allow it to run for a few minutes so water in trapped crevices can evaporate.
Next, you can use metal polish to clean and protect the major metal components and rubber
conditioner to protect all hoses. You engine will now be superior condition and look just
as it did when you took it off the showroom floor.
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| Orbital &
Rotary Buffers Orbital and Rotary
Buffers are intended to speed up the process of applying and removing wax, polish, and
prewax cleaners. Buffers can significantly reduce the time needed to take care for
you automobile, however, there are a few differences between that consumers should be
aware of before purchasing one.
Orbital buffers operate in an random
circular motion and are specifically designed to apply and remove car care products. This
ensures that the buffer doesn't transfer heat to one spot, and eliminates the worry that
you may damage you cars finish. Buffers are very safe and convenient to use and
intended for people who only plan to use it for waxing their car. If you plan to sand,
compound, or do other body work on your automobile, then you will need a rotary buffer.
Rotary Buffers are used by professional
body shops for various purposes such as waxing and sanding. Rotary buffers are not as
forgiving as orbital buffers, if you leave the buffer in one spot for too much time, they
will burn through the paint and leave you with a expensive paint repair bill. Only skilled
people should use rotary buffers for applying and removing car care products.
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| Rubber Care The
proper care of your tire and rubber moldings are essential to the longevity of your
automobile. To avoid dryness and cracks from appearing on your tires and rubber trims, you
will need to use non-silicone based rubber conditioners. Silicone is found in most of the
tire products that you can buy at auto part stores and its main defect is that it leads to
premature dryness on rubber.
When using a rubber conditioner, look for products that restore
moisture to the tire and protect it against UV light. As tires age, they turn color from
black to gray, this is because tires absorb the light and dissipate it as heat. To avoid
your tires from loosing color, you should always use quality tire conditioners from name
brand manufactures. Many of the products you find in department stores end up doing more
damage in the long run then you might think.
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| Convertible Tops: With the popularity of cars such as the Mazda Miata, Porsche Boxster and the
BMW Z3, more and more car manufactures are introducing convertible cars to the market.
Convertible tops are perhaps the most neglected part of the car since most owners do not
know how to properly take care of them. You can't wax your top, or spray a vinyl or rubber
conditioner on it, so what are you suppose to use? Hopefully, we will help solve this
dilemma by providing some simple to follow steps that will keep your convertible top as
clean and new as the day you brought you automobile home.
Most convertible tops today are made of a canvas material designed
to provide water resistance and wind protection. If your top is made of vinyl, you may use
a cleaner for use on vinyl areas just as other areas of your car. For routine maintenance,
a lint roller (which can be found at any fabric store) should be used to remove any dirt
and debris on your convertible top. This tool is very effective and leaves you top looking
perfectly spotless and clean. Scotch packaging tape does the same thing by lifting dirt of
the top. When washing your car, it is best not to use any car wash on the convertible top,
simply rinse it with water and chamois it dry. You don't want to degrade the material by
rubbing it harshly or using any type of detergents on it.
To protect your canvas convertible top, use a specially formulated
convertible top protectant from a reputable company. Many manufactures such as Porsche,
Mercedes-Benz and BMW make special convertible top cleaners and protectants that are very
good and designed specifically for their vehicles top materials. You can find these at the
part department at your local dealership. It is best to protect your automobile top at
least every six months. When using a convertible top protectant, it is very important that
you not get any spray on the cars paint or windshield. You can mask off the edges around
the top with newspapers or towels. Another solution is to have someone help you and hold a
large towel around the edges as you spray them. No matter what the size of you car, you
can expect to use at least one can of protectant during your application.
When taking care of the plastic window on your convertible top, be
sure to use a special plastic cleaner and conditioner and not window cleaners. Window
cleaners are much stronger that products designed to clean plastic windows and will damage
the material over the long term. Some companies also make a combined plastic cleaner and
conditioner product which is useful for monthly care as opposed to the yearly maintenance
that a separate cleaner and conditioner would provide.
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| Car Covers: Many
people do not have a garage to park their car in or have to leave their car outdoors all
day during hot summer days, harsh winters, and everything in between that mother nature
has to offer. Car covers are a great way to protect your automobile from airborne
contaminants, ultra-violet radiation, bird-droppings and other harmful environmental
substances. They are easy to use and fold conveniently into your truck in a matter of
minutes. Despite these benefits, you car can still be damaged if you don't choose a car
cover that is made of quality materials and one that is suited for your particular
environment.
Many companies offer "one size fits all" covers that are
indented to protect your car, but can actually cause damage to you paint. During high wind
and rain, these covers flap against your paint and can lead to serious scratching, that
will be expensive to repair. Because of this, make sure you purchase a custom car cover
that is specifically designed for you automobile.
Car covers can also scratch you car's finish when your vehicle is
not perfectly clean. Applying and removing a car cover off a dirty car is like rubbing a
dirty towel across you paint, it will inevitably lead to scratch marks. When using car
covers, always maintain a clean surface by either washing you automobile weekly or using
gloss touch up sprays to remove dirt.
When installing your car cover, the simplest and quickest way is to
roll the cover on. Simply place the cover on the roof of you car and roll one end towards
the front and one end towards the back. Then unfold the sides and fasten the buckles to
hold it in place. When storing the cover, simply fold the cover from the sides of the
doors upwards and place it on the top of the car. Next start from the back or front and
roll the cover towards the middle. This rolling on and off method is very easy and can be
done within 1-2 minutes.
There are several types of car covers available ranging form vinyl
to more advanced cotton blends. The first and simplest form of car cover is a plastic
water-proof cover. These usually are very thin bags that are only recommend if you store
you car away in a semi-closed environment. Although these covers are meant to repel rain,
they do not do anything as far as protecting the automobile from UV rays, nor do they
allow water and moisture to evaporate though the fabric. Others are made from 100% cotton.
These covers do not offer protection against rain and are only designed to protect against
dust and debris. This type of cover is recommend for automobile owners who seldom drive
their cars and keep them stored in garages.
The last and probably the most protective type of covers are made
from blend of cottons and polypropylene fabrics that offer UV, dust and rain protection.
High quality covers are lightweight, soft and non-abrasive, breathable, moister resistant,
and offer great dust protection. Certain fabrics such as Sentrix, developed by
Kimberly-Clark, is a mid-price range material that uses 3-layers of polypropylene
construction for better moisture and dust protection. These fibers are also treated for
extra UV resistance. Also from Kimberly-Clark is the Evolution 4 fabric, which uses
4-layers of polypropylene construction for maximum protection against all weather
conditions. This type of car cover provides all the benefits mentioned above along with
the following features: quicker drying capability since the moisture is not absorbed by
the fabric fibers; and a stronger impact absorption barrier against nicks, dings, dents
and scratches. Although these covers are more expensive than pure cotton or plastic
covers, they are more useful and provide far more protection which is after all, the main
reason to buy a cover in the first place.
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| Vinyl Care Most
foreign and domestic automobiles have numerous parts that are made from vinyl. Dash
boards, door panels, and other interior cosmetic trims are all made from vinyl and need to
be properly cared far along with the rest of your automobile. Numerous over the counter
products state that they "clean and condition" vinyl, plastic and rubber
components, but be wary, most of these will end up doing more harm then good. Vinyl
components face tremendous heat from UV rays, such as the dash board, and need special
attention to prevent it from drying and cracking. Only high quality products will properly
condition vinyl.
When treating vinyl, first apply the cleaner, or, condition with a
soft cloth or applicator pad and allow it the sit for a few minutes. Then wipe off the
excess with another soft cotton towel or applicator pad leaving a clean, protected finish.
Cleaning and conditioning vinyl components should be done at least every 2 months.
One of the most annoying things when caring for you car is removing
wax from vinyl trims and moldings. The best way to remove wax from vinyl or rubber is to
use a vinyl cleaner that breaks down the dry wax residue, and leaves the vinyl in its
original condition. Some waxes allow themselves to be melted so a hair dryer work great
with those types of waxes, simply heat and wipe. Once you have cleaned the vinyl or
rubber, bring back the full depth of its natural color and help protect it with vinyl
conditioner.
Copyright 1999 by Autosupermart.com™
All rights reserved.
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