KEEPING THAT “NEW” CAR APPEARANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 January 1928, Page 10

KEEPING THAT “NEW” CAR APPEARANCE

Like 111 0 kiddie,s’ toy, the new motor i fi unfortunately too often as a nine days’ wonder. The first day out every speck of dust or mud, and ovgry spot of grease, is industriously removed by approved means and in the most painstaking manner. Points of lubrication are attended to at much too-frequeut intervals and generally a great deal of time is spent on the care of the .machine—rare that might well he spread over a - much longer period. . A week alter the purchase, mud, and uf.jt, the result of a long week-end trip, may possibly be left on fur two or three days,' and gradually the keen initial interest and care begin to wane. While there is certainly a sane medium course to adopt in curing for the car, vet. unless one gets the habit of definitely allocating a regular period each week to, the. care of tile minor and petty details, the outfit will soon, assume a distinct, “used car” appearance. Everyone must have remarked at one time or another bow some people keep their ears spick and span on. all occasions, while others of the same age look shabby and neglected. Almost certainly the owner of t'hc smart outfit gives it regular weekly attention, The shabby-looking job might quite possibly have the same number of hours spent bn it ever a period but only in a spasmodic maimer, and as a consequence the result will neither be as satisfactory nor as effective.

Preserving the "new car" appearance has two very important and vital aspects to the owner. The Ijr.st is that with regular attention, depreciation will be 'appreciably less over a. given period ; secondly, the outfit will always have, at any time a higher second-hand value. A CONTRAST To show tho reason for this, let me cite tho case of two owners of identical machines. Both spend eight hours each month on.detailed adjustment and care, but one does two hours each week, while the other fellow .spends a whole day each mouth. There can be no question but that he who spends the regular weekly time will keep'his machine better in appearance and sounder mechanically -than will the wholo day man. Two hours each week i will serve to lubricate all points thoroughly and clean the car satisfactorily. When this is left for any longer period many of the points of lubrication may become dry and water will enter. This will mean rust or seizure, and as a consequence there will bo rapid arid excessive wear. Further, minor adjustments, so essential to the successful service of a car in its initial stages are left until they need export attention and a bill for repairs to boot. In order that the car may be kept as. "yoting looking" as possible for the greatest length of time, and so that ifs value both lo the owner and prospective buyer may be as great as possible, does not necessarily resolve itsolf wholly into polishing and washing 1 .

THE MECHANICAL SIDE There is a mechanical significance as well that must bo given due consideration. When the new machine is first assembled every precaution is taken to draw up all nuts tightly, but after a week or two on the road these will be found to have bedded "in slightly and consequently they are prone to work slack. A good deal of tho future service depends upon early attention to these matters. Body bolts should be tested for tightness after a fortnight's use, and again a month later. By then they should be firmly bedded and would quite easily remain tight for a" further six months." In some cases it may w be found that these bolts can be turned a little every tinie they are tested. If- this be so, remove the bolts and fit- large steel washers between nuts and woodwork. Accessories and all fittings must be occasionally examined SO that wear or looseness will be scotched at its inception. ' If this be done, little actual harm will result, but should the wear or looseness be allowed to continue for any length of time, considerable damage is sure to fob low. Tn any case the fit will never be perfect again and will always be a source of trouble and annoyance. TYRES. TOO Even in such detail matters as tyre position can. the new car appearance be enhanced. It is well known that the rear tyres taking as they do the work of driving tho car, wear much more rapidly than those in front. If these tyres are kept on their, original wheels, there comes a time when the front set arc comparatively new while those on the rear are sadly worn. To get away from this it is a good practice to change over about every 2000 miles so that wear will be evened up. 1 • EXTERNALS A word now about the best methods to adopt in keeping the exterior of Ihe car in good shape. Paint and varnish has, to all intents and purposes, been superseded by one or other of the cellulose lacquers, but it is still used on some local bodies. Two points must be borne in mind if the paint work is to be kept in good order. Firstly, be sure the finish is thoroughly dry before taking out on the road. A freshly varnished job on a muddy trip is inviting trouble. Secondly, u.se a largo volume of water at low pressure when washing down, so that all grit is removed • before finally drying off with' a chamois. Cellulose finishes are quile a. different proposition,'as they-stand rough usage even when finish is newly applied ; they mav be dusted with a cloth or brush without scratching- Common sense must be applied, however, "'hen cleaning, and softening with water will no doubt add" to the life and lustre. While it is usually n sound policy to use one of the polishes recommended bv the makers on this finish, yet. in actual practice, almost any of the better hard wax polishes will serve the purpose j without any ill-effects. "