Garage.HealthSufficiency

It is relatively easy to make mechanical repairs to a car but when a car’s body deteriorates beyond a certain point, it is cheaper and easier to replace the whole car than repair it. With normal wear and tear and a little simple non-skilled care and maintenance by the owner the life of a car’s paintwork can be considerably extended and the body protected from excessive deterioration.

Car Body Maintenance

Regular basic care will keep the car looking like new for many years. Thoroughly wash car with a non- detergent car wash/condition every week or two weeks. Apply a good protective coating when water beading is poor. Touch up any paint chips.

Some colours are more prone to lose colour and gloss than others, in particular reds and some dark blues and greens.

Generally there are four progressive stages of bodywork degradation. Of course, as with everything, the earlier you recognise a problem is occurring with the body work and do something to rectify it, the easier it is to limit damage and slow or halt further degeneration.

Symptoms and Remedies

Stage 1: Dull or no shine on top panels, i.e. roof, bonnet, top of mudguards, spoiler, etc.
The side panels may still be in good, shiny condition.

Causes: Not washing the car.
Washing the car with detergent.
Car paintwork has no reflective protective coating.
Vehicle parked in the sunlight for more than twenty hours each week.
Car is parked in an area where there is industrial fallout.

Remedies: Clean the car with a non-detergent automotive wash/conditioner.
Rejuvenate dull areas with a high quality cleaner/polisher sealer.Apply paint protection as soon as water no longer beads on paintwork.

Stage 2: Totally dull paintwork that powders off when dry and/or rubbed.

Causes: Total neglect and lack of washing.
Prolonged use of washing detergent.
An accumulation of Industrial fallout.

Remedies: The dead paint has oxidised. It must be removed back to sound, healthy paint. Polish and seal paintwork. Wash car every two weeks with a non detergent carwash/conditioner. Renew paint protection when water healing becomes larger than a five cent piece. This is not difficult if it is a solid colour, i.e. non-metallic. Some metallic finishes are very difficult to improve and professional spraying may be needed.

Stage 3: Top colour coat of paint has gone. Top surfaces has grey or white, often circular, patches.

Cause: Progressive breakdown from stage 2.

Remedies: Re-spray effected panels. Recondition remainder of paint and exterior trim.

Stage 4: Top coat of paint totally gone.
Rust patches on top surfaces.
Rust holes often found around windscreens, door sills and door bases.

Cause: Progressive inevitable result from neglecting stage 3.

Remedy: Repair rust and re-spray entire car.