CAR Care: Detailing Tips
by Bob Kay
Well, we’re finally seeing signs of spring and some of us are thinking of polishing up our weekend cars and getting them ready for a nice Sunday drive.
No matter what your car — a weekend toy or an everyday car — it’s always important to take care of that car not only mechanically, but also cosmetically. That means caring for the paint, chrome and rubber, especially if you’re on the coast where cars can sure take a beating.
Detailing your car twice a year is a good idea. I usually start planning on getting my Corvette cleaned up and ready for summer driving right about this time of year. Then, once summer is over — around October — I clean her up from all the summer driving and get her ready for the winter.
When doing your detailing, it’s good to wash the car first, then dry it off and apply a good paste wax or liquid Carnauba wax. Polishing the chrome is also important and will help to keep the salt air and elements from penetrating the wax and getting to your paint and chrome. Once you’re done with the paint and chrome, don’t forget to put a rubber protectant on the weatherstripping and any exposed rubber on the exterior to help prevent it from drying out.
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As for the interior, keeping it vacuumed is easy and very important. Most of us don’t have access to a portable car shampooer, so if you keep the car vacuumed when you get it washed once a month, then you won’t be grinding the dirt into the carpet. If you never vacuum the carpets, after years of use it will become impossible to get them clean when you do get them shampooed. Periodic vacuuming is good preventive maintenance.
Detailing your car twice a year and washing it on a regular basis will keep it looking its best. You’ll feel better about driving it — and you’ll also be keeping it in nice shape so that when you eventually sell the car, it will have held its value.
Bob Kay has owned BK Motors Inc. at 108 N. Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay for 27 years; he is now opening Auto Detailing at BK Motors. You can reach Bob at 650-726-8220 or www.bkmotors.com.
