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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1992-10-14, Page 13THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14,1992. PAGE 13. Tips on avoiding damage to paint finishes The number one customer comment today about a new vehicle's appearance is, “The paint looks fantastic!” Paint technology has progressed in leaps and bounds. Many of today's cars have base coat/clear coat finishes designed to give them that “showroom new” look. But what happens when the vehicle enters the real world of dirt, grime, acid rain and continual exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun? “Unless they are treated properly, base coat/clear coat finishes won't remain factory-fresh for very long,” says Dick Fogo, product manager of Ziebart TidyCar. Fogo points out that paint finishes are very susceptible to abrasives that scratch and mar a vehicle's surface. These can include heavy-duty brushes used by most commercial car washes and winter driving conditions, such as slipping and sliding on icy roads. Additionally, he notes, there are many peaks and valleys in the clear coat finish that tend to trap dirt, salt and moisture, reducing the car's weather areas and in the summer, never wash the vehicle under a hot sun.” If you have the car cleaned at a commercial car wash, he says to make certain the water is pure. Recycled water can be saturated with dirt, salt and chemicals that are harmful to the paint finish. “A new car or truck represents a sizeable investment for most owners,” he states. “The relatively minor cost of paint protection will go a long way toward adding to the vehicle's value at trade-in time.” luster and eventually damaging the paint. Ultraviolet rays from the sun compound the problem through oxidation of the paint pigment after it has been subjected to harmful elements, especially acid rain. Fogo says car and truck owners can do much to minimize paint deterioration. “We recommend hand-washing the vehicle frequently, using a mild solution that contains no acid,” he says. “More importantly, in warm- Check hoses for swelling, cracks Continued from page 12 If the thermostat is functioning properly, you should be able to feel the surge of warm coolant passing through the upper radiator hose. It is a good practice to replace a thermostat that is in doubt. Flexible hoses convey the coolant between the radiator and the engine. They should be inspected for softness, cracks, and cuts. In normal service, they are Dave's Car Oiling Drummond St. E. Blyth 523-4343 TIDY TIPS • Wash you car regularly, once a week, preferably by hand with a soft towel or sponge. Do not use strong detergents or scouring pads on painted vinyl surfaces. • After washing, thoroughly dry the car, including the hard-to-reach areas, with a soft towel or chamois cloth. • In humid coastal regions, park your car in a garage to prevent a build-up of salt mist on interior body metals. • In “snowbelt” regions, power-wash wheel wells to remove built-up, salt laden road deposits, and especially to loosen and remove caked mud and to open up drain holes. • During the winter, if you park the car in a heated garage, it may do more harm than good. Frozen sludge on the underside may thaw, and dampness in other vehicle sections will accelerate the corrosion process. • Wax your car at least three times a year. If you do not want to wax your vehicle, have professionals apply a paint protection product. This application, with annual renewal of die coating, provides strong protection from chemicals and sunlight that fade and break down paint. • Wipe off tree sap, bird droppings, bug stains and road tars with a mild detergent solution or mineral spirits. Do not rub vigorously. If bug stains persist, mix a small amount of meat tenderizer in your hand and apply to the stain. Wipe clean after 10 minutes. • Have paint chips treated promptly, because even if your car is protected on the inside metal, chipped paint can still make it rust on the outside. A specialist can provide an exact match of the colour and type of paint for your particular vehicle. • Treat exterior vinyl surfaces with a vinyl dressing at least every two months, or have a specialist apply a professional protective product to the vinyl. affected by air, heat, chemical, oil and constant vibration. Two other important hoses are connected to the inlet and outlet tubes of the heater. These, too should be checked for swelling and cracks, and abrasion to the hose cover where the hoses come in contact with the engine block. Kinked hoses will obviously restrict the flow of coolant. Check the heater hoses to make sure the hot coolant is flowing through the heater core. The supply line to the heater should be hot; the return hose should be warm. If the hoses are cool, circulation is not adequate due to clogged heater core or possible ice blockage in the core unit. uoor raneis We use hot, acid free new oil Open Daily YOUR SPENDING POWER HERE AND... At Wheeler Auto Glass FREE MOBILE SERVICE (519) 357-1270 Wheeler Auto Glass Box 117 Wingham, Ontario Manager Qfffry 1 0^70 Installer Gerald Wheeler OO • " JL • vz Jim Rivett TUNE UP... WINTER’S COMING! At Hamm’s we do: • general repairs • wheel balancing & alignment • Tune Up & complete winterizing on most models Book your appointment today SHARP DEALS ON QUALITY- CLEAN READY-TO-GO USED CARS Great Savings on These Used Cars & Trucks. Some One Owner Low Mileage. 1991 Chevy S-10 extended cab pickup, V6 with air 1991 Pontiac 6,000, 4 door 1991 Lumina Euro, V-6, air 1991 Tauras, 4 door, V-6, air 1990 Chrysler New Yorker Landau, loaded with extras, 4 doors 1990 Tauras, 4 door, V-6, air 1988 Ford 4X4 1983 Ford F150 4X4 pickup 1981 Delta 88, 4 door, loaded HAMM'S BLYTH PHONE - 523-4342 YES WE HAVE TRUCKS 1986 Mazda Pickup, clean, blue $3,900.00 1986 Nissan King Cab, automatic, red $4,895.00 1986 Ford Pickup F150, automatic, 4x4, low kms, blue $7,995.00 1987 Ford Pickup F150, 6 cyl., grey $6,995.00 1988 Nissan King Cab, 5 speed,red $6,995.00 1988 Toyota SR5 Pickup, 4x4, silver $9,500.00 1989 Chevy Pickup, 6 cyl., automatic $8,500.00 1990 Nissan King Cab, low kms., automatic, blue $9,500.00 YES! YES! AND WE HAVE WAGONS 1985 Plymouth Reliant Wagon Blue 1986 Subaru Wagon, 5 spd., air, silver 1986 Chevy Astro Van, 8 pass., air, silver £> See Don Swan or Jim McDougall today! DEALER NISSAN HURON COUNTY S FULL LINE $2,495.00 $4,495.00 $8,995.00 GODERICH AUTO SALES & SERVICE 268 BAYFIELD RD., GODERICH. 524-2131