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TOP TIPS FOR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE Tom Turner, detailing specialist at Jules Sturgess Automotive, answers the most-asked questions on how to take care of your car’s appearance and, ultimately, its value 1. WHAT IS A SAFE WASH? Take all necessary precautions to avoid scratching or swirling your paintwork and film. An unwashed car will be covered in dirt and grit, creating light marring and scratching of the panel if pushed around its body. To avoid this, use a pressure washer to push off as much dirt and grit as possible. Then, use a snow foam or chemical sprayer to apply a pre-wash solution to soften the remaining dirt and repeat the rinse off with the pressure washer. Finally, use two buckets with grit guards in a soap bucket and a rinse bucket. This is the final precaution; any dirt and grit still on the car gets removed in the wash mitt and rinsed off into the rinse bucket. Load your wash mitt with soap again before washing another panel. 2. SHOULD I USE A PARTICULAR SHAMPOO OR PRODUCTS? A pH-neutral shampoo is best if you have any coatings on your film or paintwork. Stronger shampoos can wash away stubborn dirt, but will diminish the life of any coatings. 3. WHAT’S THE BEST THING TO DO TO ENSURE PAINTWORK STAYS IN GREAT CONDITION? Keeping it washed regularly using the safe technique and paint protection film is a fantastic investment to ensure paintwork isn’t chipped or scratched. Or else the next question will be: ‘where do I get a paint job?’
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