Car cleaning. How to effectively remove ingrained dirt?

Dissolved resin, bird droppings, insects. How to effectively get rid of these nail polish stains?

While car paint is exposed to salt, sand and freezing temperatures in winter, insects, tar and the sun are its enemies in summer. To keep it in good shape, appropriate cosmetics are needed.

Modern paintwork usually consists of three layers: a primer, a base (color) and a clear varnish, which gives the entire surface a gloss and increases wear resistance. Over time, the lacquer becomes duller and more visible as a result of washing and exposure to the weather. Then it usually needs to be polished. The treatment is invasive, as it consists in wiping off the damaged layer of paint from the body. At the professional varnisher polishing can be done several times. Condition? With the help of a special paste, the master will do it carefully, wiping only a minimal layer of paint from the body. However, the service life and attractive appearance of the varnish can be extended by following a few simple rules.

Dissolved resin

In summer, at high temperatures, the asphalt becomes very plastic, and the resin used to connect it almost melts. Very often, due to the rapid movement of the wheels, it sticks to the wheel arches and areas of the fenders, the bottom of the front doors and the rear bumper, which are most exposed to contact with objects lying on the road of the car. You can partially solve the problem by installing mudguards, which not all cars are equipped with at the factory. However, if the resin sticks to the body, it should be removed quickly. How to do it? - It is best to wash off such dirt with a soft cloth soaked in gasoline.

When the tar is firmly attached to the varnish, it is worth removing it in stages, little by little. Strong and constant friction can damage paintwork, explains Paweł Brzyski, owner of a car wash in Rzeszów.

Artur Ledniowski, an experienced painter from Rzeszow, also recommends extraction gasoline. – Under no circumstances should solvents be used, which can permanently damage the paintwork of the vehicle. In no case should you scrape off the resin with a spatula, brush or, for example, a rough dish sponge, because this is also a threat to the varnish, says the varnisher.

Bird droppings

Bird droppings also need to be removed quickly from paintwork on hot and sunny days, especially in summer. Their composition is very harmful to the paintwork, ten minutes is enough for a matte stain to remain on the car. The principle here is the same as for insects, but warm water with shampoo or window cleaner is sufficient for washing. A soft cloth is also used. Instead of rubbing, it is better to spray the dirt and wait until it soaks. The risk of damage to the paintwork can be reduced by regularly applying wax to the car body. Hard wax is the best choice and it is recommended to apply it to your car at least twice a year. Such a preparation creates a protective coating on the car body and gives the car a shine. A package of good quality hard wax costs PLN 40-50. The biggest disadvantage of this type of preparation is the troublesome application. In order not to leave streaks and distribute it correctly, the car must be clean and completely dry, and the garage must be warm. A compromise solution is a lotion with wax, which is much easier to apply to the body. However, after drying, it also requires polishing, which is a time-consuming task.

Insects

In summer, insects are a big problem, most of which accumulate in the front of the car during further trips. It is not worth waiting for their removal, since when it dries on the body, it is very difficult to get rid of them. Paweł Brzyski recommends using a special detergent for washing a dirty car. - First, the body must be rinsed with clean water, and then sprayed with chemicals designed to kill insects. Such products have an appropriate pH adapted to this type of pollution. Thanks to them, in a moment, the dirt will easily come off under a soft brush dipped in warm water with shampoo, says Paweł Brzyski.

- The choice of such drugs is very large. For example, the popular Plak brand, a 750 ml bottle with a sprayer costs 11 PLN. The product is effective and safe for paintwork, as well as plastic and rubber body parts, says Andrzej Biega from the Full Car store in Lutorz.