Caring for the Bodywork

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22402, 24 April 1936, Page 13 (Supplement)

Caring for the Bodywork

Tho bodywork of a motor-car represents a considerable proportion of the total cost of the vehicle, and as such deserves rather more attention than the average motorist gives it. For years manufacturers and dealers have been impressing on drivers tho importance of periodic attention to tho chassis and engine, but rarely is anything said about the body. Possibly this is because by comparison with the engine it is a rather insensate, inanimate object, which is not given the opportunity to fall into disrepair so quickly. Nevertheless, after it has been wracked about on some provincial roads and exposed to all sorts of weather, it is sure to show some signs of wear, and, if ill-treated, will become shabby quickly.. It should never be forgotten that the coachwork is, as it were, the car's showcase, and when the time comes to sell or trade-in the vehicle it is important that it be in reasonably good condition. Paintwork Attention Tn this regard the care of tho paintwork is very important, but is by no means the only thing to be considered Not enough attention is paid to the body as an assembled structure and tho ability it possesses, in common with all other assembled articles, to get out of order. For example, the doors are in constant uso, and it would bo remarkable indeed if, sooner or later, they did not show any signs of wear. They are prolific sources of squeaks. Very often a

most irritating noise will finally be traced to one of tho door-hinges, and.it has arisen simply because the owner overlooked the fact that these points should occasionally be treated to a few drops of oil. The door-locks also will work much more easily if they aro kept greased, and it will not be necessary to give them such a hearty slam to close them. This reprehensible habit is possibly responsible for more chipped paintwork than anything else. Keep Body Bolts Tight In modern bodies much more attention is paid by manufacturers to the manner in which they are secured to the chassis than ever before, and trouble with loose-holding bolts is not nearly so common as it was in cars produced prior to three or four years ago. Nevertheless, it will pay to go over them occasionally, for movement between body and chassis is most undesirable. Although it is an unlikely occurrence in modern cars, in old types in which the chassis frame is not particularly rigid nor very much care taken to fasten the body securely to it, it is possible for the body to sag ip such a way that it will be impossible to close the doors properly. They may gape at the tops or bottoms, according to the manner in which tho body has sagged. To cure this condition, tho body bolts should bo slackened and pieces of old brake lining or heavy canvas Jape inserted beneath the body sills at appropriate points in order to align tho body again and make the doors fit properly. When the desired result has been achieved, the body bolts should bo tightened carefully again. Nothing looks as bad nor detracts as much from a car's value as leather upholstery which has been so knocked about that it has become torn and chafed. This is most frequently caused by people carrying heavy and sharpedged articles in the rear compartment, and is a common sin among motorists. If this practice must be followed, the rear seat cushion should bo removed entirely for the time being and tho parcel packed with old rags or pieces of Backing at tho points where it comes into contact with the leather of tho squab and door panel. It is satisfying to seo that • manufacturers aro beginning to take some

MORE THAN MERE CLEANING NEEDED

notice of the manner in which many motorists use their cars as a light truck and are providing vory capacious luggage compartments, or arranging the rear seats so that they can be folded down to form a luggago compartment in such a manner that the leather is protected from harm. Paintwork should be examined occasionally, and particularly after tho car has been returned from a garage. Frequently tho finish is chipped in such a way that the metal of the panels beneath is exposed. This should be <}ealt with immediately, as the greatest enemy of body panels is rust, and once it starts in a little exposed part like this it can eat the panels away beneath the paint, and eventually a hole will appear, which must either be patched or removed by the expensive process of fitting an entire new panel. It will be seen, therefore, that a little attention to the bodywork now and again will repay the owner. There is not much that can go amiss, but the little that does happen can easily develop into •something serious later on, and, therefore, tho owner who really values his car will keep the body in first-class condition at all times.