Cleaning Your Car

CONVERT YOUR CAR INTO A ROAD QUEEN!

You want to upgrade your car but don't know where to start? Well, that's exactly what we are here for! We bring you five basic factors you need to look into to convert your 2000 model into a mean machine apt for year 2008...
1. Interior makeover
It's about time you changed your cars' worn out interiors. A little use of imagination and some fashionable accessories available at most automobile boutiques will help you give your car the required makeover. From floor mats, seat covers, shift knob, pedal pads and steering wheel accessories – you can change all that you need to make your machine look truly fabulous!
2. Sound check
You're more likely to spend more for this particular upgrade than any other, so pay attention! Remember brands matter – the difference between a high quality audio brand and a bargain brand can be heard every time you turn on your system. Do your own research and make sure you go with the best. Loud doesn't necessarily mean better! Get something that sounds good at the sound levels you plan on listening to your music.
3. Sprucing up the speakers
There's no point in having a great sound system if your car's speakers don't match up! Again, a good brand makes all the difference. The best way to determine which speakers are right for you is to go to the store and listen to them yourself. Carry a CD of your favourite play list and play it through different sets of speakers just so you know how it sounds .
4. Car lighting
More often than not, your car's lights are not the right ones you need for maximum visibility. So make sure they illuminate well and enable you to see distant objects in darkness. While you're the best judge of whether the lights work for you or not, do ask the friendly neighbourhood mechanic to take a look and opt for better lights if required.
5. Getting positioned!
For those of you who came in late, Global Positioning System or GPS is now a reality. So if you like to drive down a new road each time you head out of town, make sure you get one! They can stick to your dash or even windscreen and are great substitutes for a bad navigator. Before you know it, GPS will be photo-realistic and show you actual satellite maps of your surroundings. Cool, we say!


IS RUST EATING UP YOUR PRECIOUS CAR?

Your car is your pride, your joy, your investment. But taking care of your car is easier said than done. In a country like India that is known for its hot and humid climate, the biggest challenge for you is to keep your car rust free. Here are a few tips to help you achieve the same:
1. Wash and wax
Wash your car as often as possible to remove salt deposits on its surface that speed rusting. Remember to wipe it very well post every wash. Also, wax your car at least once a month as wax forms a protective layer on the surface.
2. Keep your car dry
Keep all metal surfaces of your car dry. Moisture breeds rust! Wipe your car if you're caught in a monsoon shower or if you have taken it to the beach or sea-side. And don't forget to clean and keep the car's underside dry as well!
3. Store it well
If you car is going to remain unused for a long period of time, wash it and spray it down with a rust-preventing spray. Continue to get it cleaned every alternate day and wax once every month. Preferably leave your car parked in a still parking space and cover it with a car cover to protect it from heat, rain, dust, etc.
4. Check, check, check!
Examine your car for rust as often as possible. Look for problem areas where the paint bubbles or bristles up. The three areas you must always check for rust – the engine and trunk, the undercarriage of the car and external painted parts!
5. Always act quickly
Don't wait for the small problems to become big issues. Fix small problems in the paintwork quickly, remove existing rust on the underside and treat any rust immediately and aggressively!

Remember prevention is better than cure and also much more affordable. So stay rust free and you and your car, both will stay happier!

WINDSHIELD CARE TIPS


Most car owners spend a lot of time and money on the maintenance of their car’s interiors and paint job. One of the exterior surfaces of your car that in fact needs the most attention, for the purpose of your safety, is the windshield. Looking out of a dirty windshield is dangerous as it can confuse, lower or obliterate visibility.

It is therefore important to wipe your windshield every single day before taking your car out. While the natural tendency is to use cloth, lint is as harmful as dust, so a paper towel that doesn’t leave any lint is your best bet. You should ideally do this after using your automatic windshield wipers every day.

In case of surface scratches, use a glass polishing product. For graver injuries to your windshield – like small rock chips and cracks – acquire a resin repair kit from any auto parts store. If you aren’t into DIY, remember to take a spin to your local garage as these seemingly tiny scratches can cause you grave harm.

10 Steps For A Good Car Wax


Though taking your car to the professionals to make it sparkle is the best alternative, following these 10 waxing steps will protect your car’s paint and keep it looking like new.

1) Wash and Dry: Before you start waxing your car make sure to remove the superficial grime by washing and drying it well.
2) Choose the right wax: Be careful when choosing the wax you use. Make sure you use the right kind and if you don’t know then choose a nonabrasive wax.
3) Choose the time: Avoid waxing your car when it is too hot outside. The hot sun may bake the wax onto your car. Park your car in a shady spot if you have to wax it in the sun.
4) Don’t use too much wax: Dip the wax sponge into the car wax, getting just a small dollop of wax on the sponge.
5) Apply carefully: Apply the wax in circles on the car body. Avoid the cracks or seams. If you do get wax on these, remove them with a soft sponge.
6) Wipe it off: Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth in the same order in which it was applied. Shake off the cloth or towel every time to avoid wax build up or streaking.
7) Those spots: Wax can remove spots that washing failed to remove. Simply rub the wax on the spot till it comes off
8) Spot residual wax: Lean down as close as possible to the car surface to spot and remove any residual wax.
9) Remove as you finish: Never leave the wax on for too long on the car, or it will damage the paint and will be difficult to remove later.|
10) Final Touch: Use an absorbing cloth to wipe off your car one last time to finish the waxing process.

Now stand back and admire the shine and sparkle of your car. It will soon be your neighbour’s envy and your pride!

PREPARE YOUR CAR FOR THE MONSOON

Car care during monsoons is crucial especially for the better running of your car. Here are a few important things you need to make a note of:

Tyres
Make sure your car tyres are in excellent condition before the monsoons arrive, as they will be in constant touch with the wet slippery roads. To avoid skids and unwanted jolts, make sure your tyres have good tread depth. Compromising on this could prove dangerous. Car tires should be minimum 2mm in depth, including your spare. Fine parts of dust get entrenched in the tyres, causing them to skid. Rubber has a tendency to soften when it comes in contact with water. Check the tyre pressure regularly and inflate it to recommended pressure when it is cold. This increases driving comfort and the life of your tyres.

Wipers
The wiper blades are better when new. Always make sure they are of good quality, non-streaking and smooth functioning. The wiper blades should not be hard and cracked, as they will cause scratches on the windscreen. Check that the wipers are working in all the three speeds (normal, slow, fast) before you start out on your drive. Instead of ordinary water for your windshield wiper, try using some solution like soap solution for better visibility.

Brakes
The most crucial part of a vehicle, brakes calipers must be regularly cleaned and replaced. Brakes should not be too loose or too tight. Keep using the car brakes as water may make the brake drums wet, causing low braking efficiency. Keep taking your car for regular service check-ups. You can dry out the wet brakes by placing your left foot on the brake pedal and gently moving the throttle with your right foot. Make sure the handbrake works fine.

Car Finish
To avoid the car body from rusting, use an anti rust coating on the car fittings. Service your engine and make sure it is made water tight. It would be a good idea to use an anti-moisture spray or simply removing the plug and cleaning out the moisture with a cloth.

Car Interiors
Many at times, water flows into the cabin area, damaging the carpets and flooring. Place old mats on your car floor, so that they soak up the dirty water. It would be a better option to use fabric mats rather than rubber ones. Vacuum clean the car interiors regularly and use car perfumes with light fragrances that will also make your car smell fresh. This will keep the car interiors clean and smelling fresh. If your car seats get wet, keep the windows open, to avoid the formation of fungus.

Car Electricals
Patch up all the weak or loose electrical connections and check if all the external wires are insulated, as these tend to act up in the monsoons. Also check to see if all the fuses are in order and always carry a few extra fuses with you.

TOP TEN TIPS TO WINTER-IZE YOUR CAR

The colder months of the year can take their toll on your car. You wouldn't head out into cold weather without bundling up with proper accessories. Similarly your vehicle also faces similar challenges as temperature drops. But a few simple preventative measures will keep your car looking good and protect it.
Cold weather affects battery efficiency. Most cold-weather breakdowns occur because batteries aren't delivering full cranking power. Also make sure that your battery cables are corrosion-free.
In severe winter temperatures, you may have to change the grade of your engine oil. Check your owner's manual for the viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle's engine.
Check your wiper blades. Cold temperatures can make blades brittle, and ice on the windshield can cause nicks in the blades, decreasing performance.
If you're planning a trip, take a blanket, extra-warm clothing, a collapsible shovel, a bag of road salt and an extra bottle of windshield washer fluid.
Put on snow tires if you live in major snow belt areas. Check your owner's manual for details and recommended practices. Tires marked "M + S" ( "mud and snow" tires), also known as "all-season" tires, provide safe all-weather performance.
Cold weather reduces tire pressure, so check tire pressure often. See your owner's manual for directions and details.
Make sure your vehicle’s exhaust system has no leaks. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and can accumulate quickly in closed vehicles.
Keep the windshield washer reservoir filled with antifreeze solvent.
Brakes should be checked and serviced if necessary. Even braking on all four wheels will lessen the chance of skids on slippery roads.
Emergencies can happen when you least expect them, so be sure to carry winter survival gear in your vehicle.

Keep Your Car Shining

Summer is the season for tar and bugs. During summer, bugs are at full population, and the heat softens the asphalt, producing tar balls on the tyres. While tar can be difficult to remove, it does not present a threat to your paint's finish. Bug stains, like bird droppings, are very acidic and represent a significant danger to the beauty of your paint. Let’s see how we can tackle such common summer problems.

As you drive, your car is bombarded with small specks of asphalt, tire rubber, grease and oil, kicked up by the cars and trucks in front of you. Left on your car's finish, these petroleum-based contaminants will firmly affix themselves to every exterior surface. Soap and water washing will do little to remove these ugly black spots.

To remove road tar, what you need is a solvent. Most commercial tar removers contain kerosene, mineral spirits or another petroleum distillate combined with lubricants to surround and buffer the road tar from your paint.

The head-on collision of that juicy bug on your car's beautiful paint is far from one-sided. As the bug's exoskeleton explodes, acidic fluids are firmly imbedded in the surface of your car's paint! Any attempt to remove the catalyzed remains without the use of a special cleaning solution could result in scratched paint.

The secret to removing insect remains is to loosen and dissolve them with a solvent that will cut through strongly. Most surfactant insect removers work best if you spray the insect spots liberally and allow the cleaner to work for a few minutes. For bugs with a little extra grip, use a sponge.

If you have a particularly large mess made by a bug, use a pre-wax cleaner. Apply a small dab to the offending bug splat. Next, cover the spot with a wadded-up tissue. Let it sit for a few minutes, then pinch up the mess and give it a soft wipe with the back side of the tissue. This is going to work wonders!

Most of the chemicals used to remove the aforementioned road stains also remove your wax. After removing tar or bugs, plan to spot wax or re-wax your vehicle. If you don't have time to wax right away, use a spray wax.

When regular washing does not remove the tar or bugs from your car's paint, use the methods described above. If your paint is damaged from tar and bugs, use a good polish to restore the finish. The bottom line is after all, to keep your car gleaming!

ARM YOURSELF WITH YOUR CLEANING

You step into some cars. And sink into comfortable, spotless, almost-sterile looking seats. Then you scratch your head and think to yourself, this isn't a car from the highest premium segment and it's definitely not brand new, yet the interiors spell pure class, sophistication, elegance. How come my car isn't like that???

Obviously the owner takes good care of his baby, regularly maintaining inside of the car as often as he does washing the outside. If you use your car on a daily basis, dust and dirt are bound to collect due to pollution, cigarette butts, hair strands, food crumbs and mucky feet. To banish the unwanted trash, clean your car regularly. Here are some handy hints:

1. Arm yourself with your cleaning equipment such as sponge, water, soap solution, a scrub brush, a toothbrush and some ‘quality time’ to spare.
2. Sweep the seats getting hair, dust and dirt off and then sweep the floor. Remove the car mats and clean them separately.
3. Next start with the `wet' cleaning. Use as soft cloth dipped in soap solution. Make sure the cloth is not dripping wet but squeeze it so that its damp or moist. Start with the windscreen, then the dashboard. The vents, the gauges and the rearview mirror garner your attention for cleaning.
4. The next item on your cleaning agenda should be the doors and the mouldings on the doors. Work your way through the car, cleaning all the hard moldings with hot soapy water, and then drying them and applying protecting solutions as needed.
5. Then you should work on the windows. Be sure to use a dry cloth to wipe the interiors after your binge with the wet soapy cloth.
6. And when you feel highly pleased with yourself don't forget to add the finishing touch - remove the stink from the interior! A pleasant fragrance within will entice you to remain in our car. Try Ambi Pur Car Perfumes that come in three flavours, Aqua, Vanilla Bouquet and After Tobacco! Perfumes so good you will never want to leave your car.

CLEANING YOUR CAR

Start with the tyres and wheels first. Cleaning the wheels is important as brake dust and road salt can result in corrosion. Once you reach the body, wash in straight lines, not in circles. Avoid washing your car in the sun, as the heat may result in the water beads drying on the paint. Never use a household detergent or a soap as they eat into the wax coating, which is there to protect your car. And once the washing is done, open all the doors. This helps get rid of the moisture that exists between the doors and the car’s body.

CLEAN THE INTERIORS TOO


Many of us wash and wax our cars regularly to keep it looking great. But we tend to ignore the interiors. You don’t have to do it every day, but once a week would be fine. However, when cleaning the interiors, use very little water as too much of it will leave a musty smell. A good idea would be to use a soaked cloth or sponge, and keep squeezing out the excess water. For the carpet, use a soft brush to loosen the dirt in it. Finally, whenever you spill something, clean it instantly. If you don’t it will be harder to remove.

Cleaning A Very Dirty Car

There is nothing worse than a really dirty car after a really long drive. Washing off the dirt takes a long time. Here's a good mixture that will help you get back the gleam. Use a mixture of water and methylated spirit in the ratio of eight is to one. Do not rinse the car; instead just give it a good rub with chamois leather or a soft cloth using this mixture. The car will gleam new. You can also use a mixture of paraffin oil and methylated spirit in the same ratio. Then wash, dry and polish with a chamois leather or soft cloth. Both these methods will give the car a wax finish that will also protect it from rain smears. To clean the chrome on the car, dip a damp sponge or cloth in soda bicarbonate and rub over the surface. Rinse and dry to get the shine of the chrome back.

How Well Washed Is Your Car?

You might think that you have a well-washed car. But remember that mud and dust collected on underbody of car may contain substances, which may damage the paint & eventually lead to corrosion of vehicle body. However, cleaning the underbody yourself is next to impossible. The best way to get around this problem is to have your vehicle washed at least once in two months at a service center. Do this especially if you been on a long drive down a dirt road.

Maintain Interiors For Driving Pleasure

Apart from maintaining the mechanical aspects of your car to ensure smooth driving, it is imperative that you also take care of the interiors. This enhances your driving pleasure considerably.
• You need to have the door trims, seat upholstery, the roof linings and the seat belts.
• The carpets, seat and roof lining need to be cleaned at least once in six months.
• Service the mechanical functioning of the seat belt, seat sliding and reclining too.
• Most of the authorized workshops have facilities for these such as cleaning of the upholstery. Dust settled on upholstery makes the cushioning hard and the interiors dull.
• The cleaning will improve the cushioning and brighten your vehicles interiors. While your car undergoes interior cleaning make sure you point out to any stains that can be removed by the workshop.

Get the baby to shine like new… NOW!


Want to get the sheen back on the baby? Try these and the results will leave you spell-bound:
• Clean your vehicle more often, that way it is easy to maintain a clean sheen.
• A constant supply of water, a soft, dust-free cloth and car wash detergent are absolute MUST HAVES before starting the clean-up job. Avoid household detergents, these can be harsh on the car surface and damage the paint.

Same is the case while touching up the vehicle. Painting the MOTOR CYCLE at home or any products which need painting is a simple process. What is required yet again is innovation, patience and persistence. It is important to understand the working of the spray paint can you are using. An aerosol contains two essential components:-
• The product, in the form of a liquid, emulsion or suspension.
• The propellant, which can be a liquefied gas, or even a compressed gas. So be extra vigilant while wielding the spray paint can, the exposure to fire is hazardous.

Arm yourself with your cleaning

You step into some cars. And sink into comfortable, spotless, almost-sterile looking seats. Then you scratch your head and think to yourself, this isn't a car from the highest premium segment and it's definitely not brand new, yet the interiors spell pure class, sophistication, elegance. How come my car isn't like that???

Obviously the owner takes good care of his baby, regularly maintaining inside of the car as often as he does washing the outside. If you use your car on a daily basis, dust and dirt are bound to collect due to pollution, cigarette butts, hair strands, food crumbs and mucky feet. To banish the unwanted trash, clean your car regularly. Here are some handy hints:

1. Arm yourself with your cleaning equipment such as sponge, water, soap solution, a scrub brush, a toothbrush and some ‘quality time’ to spare.
2. Sweep the seats getting hair, dust and dirt off and then sweep the floor. Remove the car mats and clean them separately.
3. Next start with the `wet' cleaning. Use as soft cloth dipped in soap solution. Make sure the cloth is not dripping wet but squeeze it so that its damp or moist. Start with the windscreen, then the dashboard. The vents, the gauges and the rearview mirror garner your attention for cleaning.
4. The next item on your cleaning agenda should be the doors and the mouldings on the doors. Work your way through the car, cleaning all the hard moldings with hot soapy water, and then drying them and applying protecting solutions as needed.
5. Then you should work on the windows. Be sure to use a dry cloth to wipe the interiors after your binge with the wet soapy cloth.
6. And when you feel highly pleased with yourself don't forget to add the finishing touch - remove the stink from the interior! A pleasant fragrance within will entice you to remain in our car. Try Ambi Pur Car Perfumes that come in three flavours, Aqua, Vanilla Bouquet and After Tobacco! Perfumes so good you will never want to leave your car.