Car beauty care is a popular industry. However, many people who own their own cars have to spend money at car beauty shops for maintenance. So, can we maintain our cars ourselves? Is there any good maintenance knowledge available?
Below, the Car Beauty Talent Network provides you with some tips. The knowledge of car beauty and maintenance mainly involves the following steps:
A. Waxing
To keep your car looking clean, waxing is essential. However, frequent or incorrect waxing, not waxing at all, or blindly trusting imported waxes are actually inappropriate practices. Since different types of car wax have different functions and effects, it is important to choose carefully. Choosing incorrectly not only fails to protect the body but may also cause the paint to discolor. In general, the selection should be based on the function and characteristics of the car wax, the newness of the vehicle, the color of the paint, and the driving environment.
For high-end sedans, high-grade car wax can be used; for new cars, colored paint wax is recommended to protect the shine and color of the body; in summer, UV-resistant wax is suitable; when driving conditions are poor, resin-based protective wax should be chosen; for ordinary vehicles, regular pearl or metallic paint series wax is sufficient. Of course, the choice of car wax must also take into account the color of the car paint. Generally, dark-colored car paints should use black, red, or green series wax; light-colored car paints should use silver, white, or pearl series wax.
When waxing, first wash the outer surface of the car thoroughly, apply cleaning cream, and then wipe with a towel. It's best to use specialized tools throughout the process. If specialized tools are unavailable, soft cloth can be used instead, using a sawtooth or circular motion for waxing, while avoiding direct sunlight during the process.
B. Cleaning methods for plastic parts and maintenance of decorative chrome-plated metal parts
The use of plastic parts on modern cars is increasing. For plastic parts that are painted on the outside, high-quality cleaning agents should be used for cleaning; waxing should not be too forceful to prevent penetration of the paint and exposure of the base color. For decorative chrome-plated metal parts, carbon cleaning agents should be used for cleaning, and hard tools should not be used to scrape off dirt; decorative chrome-plated parts should also be regularly waxed to protect the plating from oxidation. Although both painted and electroplated components of cars generally have good rust prevention capabilities, weld points, seams, and scratched areas on the car body are prone to rust. Therefore, after using the car for a period of time, necessary rust prevention treatment should be performed. The undercarriage components should be promptly protected with paint as needed.
C. Repairs
Professional scratch repairs have strict requirements for the working environment because spray painting is most afraid of the influence of dust and impurities. If dust, flakes from the operator's scalp, or fibers from clothing fall on the car's exterior surface, they will form spots or bumps. Good working conditions include having professional spray booths and computerized paint mixing equipment. Secondly, special fast-drying materials are required, which are crucial for quick scratch repair.
Traditional putty consists of plastic components, has a rough surface, low hardness, high shrinkage, and is prone to deformation, with long drying times. In particular, this type of putty continues to absorb moisture even after repairs, making it susceptible to cracking and sinking. High-tech metal filler, on the other hand, has strong and heat-resistant properties, allowing complete drying through the use of fast dryers. Due to its high molecular structure, it has a high density, fine surface, and no pinholes, so it does not absorb moisture and can be formed in one step. Additionally, traditional putty requires three layers, and excessive thickness increases the likelihood of cracking. The final step in repainting is applying clear coat. A good fast-dry clear coat has high concentration, does not lose luster, has high hardness, and is less likely to be scratched during car washing.
D. Washing
To keep the exterior of your car clean, merely wiping off dust is insufficient. Regular and timely washing of the vehicle is important. When washing, it is best to use car-specific cleaning agents and mild soap with low alkalinity. Avoid using high-alkaline detergents such as scouring powder or laundry detergent, as they can accelerate the aging of the paint surface, causing the car to lose its shine. Also, avoid using fuel, solvents, or alcohol-based liquids for cleaning, as these may cause the topcoat to change color. It is particularly important to note that in cities with severe air pollution, cars should be wiped down promptly after being rained on. This is because water contains acidic substances. If rainwater is not wiped off the car in a timely manner, the rain marks on the car body will gradually shrink, increasing the concentration of acidic substances in the rainwater. Over time, this can damage the topcoat; if exposed to intense sunlight, spots and reduced surface shine may appear. Therefore, after the car is wet by rain, the rainwater should be promptly wiped off.
In summary, car beauty and maintenance require careful attention and patience.
Source: http://www.qcmrrc.com/qicherencai/news/20111014014241.html