Car care products: how to choose and use

There is a huge range of products that make car care easier and more efficient. If you know how to choose and use car care products, you can avoid malfunctions and prevent vehicle paintwork from being damaged. This is a good opportunity to extend the service life of your vehicle and preserve its aesthetic appearance.

What are car care products for?

Your car needs regular maintenance to last a long time and avoid frequent repairs. Service station technicians check the operability of systems and equipment, identify and correct malfunctions, and replace consumables and technical fluids. The frequency of maintenance is set by the automaker.

However, the condition of a vehicle also depends on how it’s used. Meticulous care and the use of special products prevent a number of problems. There are no universal formulations that can be used for all purposes at the same time. That is why it is important to have an optimal car care kit that contains everything you need. This applies to products for cleaning body parts, windows, as well as for performing some technical work.

Rules and products for exterior car care

The body of a vehicle is constantly exposed to adverse external factors. If you know how to use car care products, you can prevent a number of paintwork issues, preserve the colour and shine of your vehicle for a long time. The process includes 3 key stages:

• Washing – if dirt stains on the body for a long time, it starts to destroy the paintwork, which leads to various defects, and also to the development and spread of corrosion;
• Polishing – special formulations eliminate small scratches and mask chips, and do not allow them to increase in size;
• Protection – protective coatings help to avoid undesirable consequences associated with external influences on the paintwork of a vehicle.

Unlike ordinary water, car care products dissolve contaminants and quickly remove them from the surface. This applies not only to dust, but also to residues of oil or other technical fluids, road reagents and bitumen, and various chemical compounds. No streaks or stains are left on a vehicle after treatment with these products.

Features of car care products for headlights and windows

Windows and headlights are cleaned with other type of car care products. For a good view and sufficient illumination of the road, it is necessary to remove all dirt thoroughly. Windshield washer fluids help to solve this problem. Such products can:

1. Remove contaminants in a short time;
2. Tackle even challenging and hard-to-remove stains;
3. Clean the glass without leaving a greasy film;
4. Work in almost any environment.

Before choosing an auto glass cleaner, you need to determine how and when it is going to be used. In winter, a special washer fluid is needed, which does not freeze at subzero temperatures and effectively removes ice. Such fluids are poured into the tank and sprayed with nozzles, then the glass is cleaned with wipers. If you vehicle has a rear wiper, the fluid consumption increases slightly. This should also be taken into account when choosing a car care product.

When cleaning the headlamps, it is recommended that you first remove any visible dirt from the surface using a soft cloth. Then apply a cleaning liquid and leave it for a few minutes. After this, remove the water and dirt with a microfibre cloth and wipe the headlamp dry.

Application of car interior care products

Keeping the vehicle interior clean and tidy is just as important. Dust and dirt particles are inhaled by the driver and passengers, causing a range of negative effects from coughing and allergies to serious illnesses. By using car care products, you can remove dirt and neutralise unwanted odours inside your vehicle. You need to choose the right cleaning products for:

• Plastic dashboard;
• Seat upholstery;
• Chrome-plated elements;
• Parts made of vinyl, plastic or other materials.

Any car care chemicals must be used in compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. When choosing such products, make sure that they are suitable for the appropriate type of materials. Another important rule of effective car care is consistency. If you use such products too rarely, you will not be able to get the desired result.