The general condition of the vehicle body is one of the parameters that determine its value. Body maintenance is not difficult, but it should be regular. Neglect of this rule, especially after minor damage, can quickly lead to further deterioration of the bodywork and costly repairs. It is important to remember this and pay attention to those parts of the car that are difficult to see, for example, below, inside the wheel arches and in the lower part of the engine compartment.
The main type of body maintenance is its regular washing with plenty of water (from a hose). This helps remove any solids that may have stuck to the vehicle. During the washing process, it is important to remove all these particles in order to prevent future scratches. Be sure to flush the wheel arches and subframe to remove any dirt that traps moisture and speeds up the rusting process. It may seem strange, but the best time to clean the subframe and wheel arches is in wet weather when the dirt is still damp and soft. In very wet weather, the subframe is usually automatically cleared of large build-ups of dirt and this is the best time to inspect.
With the exception of vehicles with a waxed underbody finish, it is recommended that the subframe and engine compartment be periodically steam cleaned to allow for a thorough inspection to determine if minor repairs or replacements are necessary. Steam cleaning is available in many garages and is essential to remove oily dirt. If steam cleaning is not available, cleaning with oil solvents applied by brush is possible. In this case, the dirt can simply be dissolved.
Please note that these methods should not be used on vehicles with a wax protective body coating, otherwise the coating will be removed. Such vehicles should be inspected annually, preferably before winter, to wash the bottom of the body and restore damaged areas of the protective coating. Ideal for complete replacement. It is also advisable to use wax protection spray on door panels, window sills, etc., as this provides an additional guarantee against rusting in places where such protection is not provided by the manufacturer.
Always make sure that the holes and pipes provided for drainage and ventilation are completely open so that water can flow freely through them. A dirty film may occasionally appear on the windshield and windows, which should be washed off with a suitable glass cleaner. Never use glass wax or polishing pastes for bodywork or chrome parts.