The Care Of Your Car (continued)

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32018, 19 June 1969, Page 11

The Care Of Your Car (continued)

Grease and Oil.—As much grease as possible should be removed by scraping with a dull knife or spatula before further treatment is applied. Gi-ease and oil stains may be removed by rubbing lightly with a clean cloth saturated with volatile cleaner. Be sure all rubbing motions are towards the centre of the stained area, to avoid the possibility of spreading the stain. Ice Cream.—The same procedure is recommended for the removal of ice cream as that used for removing fruit

stains. If the stain is persistent, rubbing the spot with a cloth wet with warm soap suds (again a mild neutral soap )may be used to some advantage after the initial treatment with hot water. This soap treatment should be followed with a rinsing by rubbing with a clean cloth wet with cold water. After this dries, rubbing lightly with a cloth wet with volatile cleaner will clear ,up the last of the stain by removing fatty or oily matter.

Vomit. —Sponge with a clean cloth dipped in clear cold water. After most of the stain has been removed in this way, wash lightly with soap using a clean cloth with lukewarm water. Then rub with another clean cloth dipped in cold water. If any of the stain remains after this treatment, gently rub with a cloth moistened with a volatile cleaner.

Shoe Polish and Dressings.—On types of shoe dressings which contain starch or dextrine or some water soluble vehicle, allow the polish to dry then brush the spot vigorously with a brush. This will probably be all the treatment that is necessary. If further treatment is required, moisten the spot with cold water and after it has dried repeat the brushing operation. Paste or

wax type shoe polishes may require using a volatile cleaner. Rub the area gently with a cloth wet with the cleaner until the polish is removed. Use a clean portion of the cloth for each rubbing operation, and rub the stained area from the outside to the centre.

Tar.—Moisten the spot lightly with a volatile cleaner and then remove as much of the tar as possible with a dull knife. Follow this operation by rubbing the spot lightly with a cloth wet with the cleaner until the stain is removed. Lipstick.—The composition of different brands of lipsticks vary, making the stains very difficult to remove. In some instances a volatile cleaner may remove the stain. If some stain remains after repeated application of volatile cleaner, it is best to leave it rather than try other measures. Washing the Car Frequent hosing and washing of the vehicle cannot be over-stressed as the most effective precaution against corrosion. Wash the car with either warm or cold (never hot) water, not in the direct rays of the sun and not while the sheet metal surfaces are hot. Never wipe dirt from dry painted surfaces because this may scratch the finish.' The use of strong soaps and chemi-

cal detergents should be avoided and in any event cleaning agents should be promptly flushed from the surface and not allowed to dry or they may streak the surface.

Grease and oil, and even tar if it’s fresh, can be removed from the finish with a little petrol. As a precaution against staining, wash and polish the area from which the grease or oil has been removed as soon as possible.

Insect spots on the finished parts of the vehicle can be removed very easily by using a solution made up.with two quarts of water 'n which a half pound of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) has been dissolved. Flush the washed parts with clean water. While the vehicle is being washed it is most important that the underside of fenders and underbody ledges are thoroughly hosed to wash away mud deposits which nor. mally accumulate in these areas. If the accumulated mud is not washed away it will retain moisture and could eventually become a source of rust. Tyres Sponging with cold water and a good rub with a scrubbing brush is all that is necessary for normal cleaning of tyres. Oil and grease can —and should—be removed with soap and water. For tar and other substances a mild abrasive such as mechanic’s hand soap or kitchen cleaning powder may be used if necessary. Petrol must not be used for cleaning tyres. Road grime and kerb marks on white-wall tyres can easily be removed with the use of a mild soap, warm water and a stiff brush. Once again do not use petrol, kerosene or any oil products that will discolour the side-walls and deteriorate the rubber.

Glass Special care should be taken to avoid scratching the glass when it is being cleaned. If it is cleaned at the same time as the rest of the car there is the possibility that particles of fine grit will cause scratches, so leave the final cleaning and polishing of the glass until afterwards. Each section of glass should be then washed in turn, making sure that the water, its container and the sponge are quite clean and free from grit. If the glass is very dirty a little household ammonia mixed with warm

water will help. Clean linen cloth is best for polishing J, glass. Old linen cloth which has been washed is better c than new material for this „ purpose as it is softer. Chrome Work ! ? Generally, a rub with a clean, soft cloth will be all that is necessary to remove dust from chromium plated parts. However, if the chromium is covered with dead insects, tar or mud, it should be washed with warm soapy ) water and then cleaned with! a good quality chromium! polish. This polish should > also be used if the chromium! shows signs of tarnishing. Do I not use ordinary metal I polishes as they may contain) abrasives which could ruin the plating.