KEEPING IT NEW

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31123, 28 July 1966, Page 12

KEEPING IT NEW

rpAKING delivery of a new . A car is an experience i which must bring at least some excitement to even the ! most jaded pulse, and to most of us it is a rare incident in our lifetime to which we look forward for several I months and approach with great excitement The pride when we bring the new vehicle home! Its paint shines, its chrome gleams, its carpets are smooth and clean, its upholstery bright and uncreased.

For some time most owners have great pride in the appearance of their new car, but with some, regrettably, this pride soon starts to wane. In a year or so you may find the car which looked so spotless a year before is now in worse condition than some models five times its age.

Today this sort of thing is inexcusable, worse, it is stupid. Because not only is the appearance of the vehicle spoiled, but this has the drawback that money is being lost —resale value will be lower. As any car dealer will tell you a clean car will sell well, a battered and scruffy model will be much more difficult to quit. Put yourself in the position of the second-hand car buyer: what would your attitude be to the model, only a year or so old, which looks four or five times its age? Immediately the

thought would spring to your mind: “The owner of this didn’t take much care of it. If the outside is this bad, heaven knows what the mechanical parts will be like! If I get this thing, I may end up paying large sums for repairs, purely because of the neglect of the fellow who owned this vehicle last.” So you see, keeping yOuf new car looking new is an important factor. Of course it

is impossible to keep It looking exactly as new, there is always some wear and tear, but this can be minimised. You cannot do it easily, though. The whole secret is “Keep at it.”

You must clean the car at least once a fortnight, preferably once a week. This does not mean to say you must polish it this often: three or four times a year will be ample, but it should be washed down with clean warm water, perhaps with a little detergent. This cleaning has a more useful role than just removing the dirt, because in cleaning the car you will be going over it fairly thoroughly, and you will notice any small signs of damage, rust and so

on. Any paint chips you notice should be retouched as soon as possible, before rust sets in. But when you get your new car, read the maker’s handbook very closely about such things as paintwork and upholstery. Some types of paintwork must not be polished for a considerable time, if at all, while other manufacturers warn against the use of certain detergents.

It is also useful to know whether your brightwork is of aluminium, chrome or stainless steel. The three items require slightly different care. For instance abrasive polishes must never be used on chrome. With stainless steel they should be avoided, but they will not do the same amount of damage. Aluminium is softer and more liable to impact damage from knocks than stainless steel or chrome.

Again, great care is necessary with the upholstery. Some car makers warn specifically against certain types of cleaning fluid, which they say will cause much damage. Some recommend specific preparations, and this advice is usually worth noting. Carpets are usually more straightforward: it is a matter of vacuuming them, or in the

ing your vehicle you must make sure they are completely rinsed off, for some may otherwise damage the paintwork very rapidly. Then there are other things to watch with paintwork. The juices of some trees, and in particular the droppings of birds will very rapidly damage the paint. Should a seagull score a direct hit on your new car, remove the evidence as soon as possible, preferably within an hour or two. If you leave it for several days, you will certainly have a mark on

Sooner or later that dreadful moment in the life of any new car owner will come upon you—the first scratch or dent, your paintwork that will be impossible to remove. It will probably be only minor, but you should get it repaired as soon as possible. Dents and scratches, if left, provide a breeding ground for that enemy of all cars, rust. It is well worth-while checking in all the little corners and crevices of the bodywork to make sure no rust is starting. If it is, have the dealer treat it. It may also be worth-

while buying one of the aerosol cans of rust-preventing fluid now on the market, and spraying the danger spots yourself from time to time. Doorlocks should be kept oiled and well-adjusted, and upholstery should be kept clean —with most cars this means cleaning at least once every two weeks. Carpets should be vacuumed or brushed with a stiff brush, and badly-worn pieces of trim, for instance pedal rubbers worn through to the metal, should be replaced—this will cost only a few shillings, but will add greatly to the neat and clean appearance of the car. Therefore, make this firm resolution: when you get your

new car, keep it clean, read the handbook carefully to make sure which preparations should or should not be used, and try and wash the car once a week, but at least once every fortnight. This is a habit that once started is easy to keep up, and many cars seen in New Zealand are in outstanding condition by overseas standards, where is some countries owners tend to be very slap-happy about taking care of their cars. It seems a lot of work to take care of a car, but it is well worth it, and you will have tangible benefit from your efforts when the time comes to sell or trade in.