(ARA) -
Now that summer is here, you wouldn't dream of sending
your kids out the door for a day of fun in the sun without
sunscreen; yet millions of people send their other "baby"
out into the elements without protection every day.
It seems they've forgotten that summer is one of the
toughest times of year on a car's finish.
Not only does your car have to endure
the harsh rays of the sun beating down on it, but there's
also acid rain to contend with, not to mention the dirt
and grime you pick up on the road, the tree sap that
drips down on your roof and the acidic bugs that splatter
on your hood. So what can you do about it?
"The most critical step you can
take to maintain your finish is frequent washing,"
says Glenn Canady, president of 5 Star Technologies,
a company that makes vehicle maintenance products. "Keeping
your exterior consistently clean will lessen the impact
of damaging dirt and chemicals that build up on your
car's surface."
A lot of people think the next step
would be to wax their car as often as possible, but
Canady says that's not the case. "You can actually
be doing more harm than good by putting on a coat of
inexpensive Carnauba wax once every week or two. When
it melts, it gets sticky, and instead of keeping your
car clean will actually attract dirt and pollutants.
Look for a polish that is designed to protect the paint
instead."
Canady recommends 5 Star Shine, a polish
that uses PTFE (the same substance that makes nonstick
cookware so slippery) and durable acrylic elements to
create a chemical fusion that seals paint from the elements.
The bond is strong enough to hold up to hundreds of
washings and only needs to be applied once every three
years for a used car, and once every five years for
a new one.
Protecting your car's finish isn't the
only thing you need to worry about in the summertime.
Here are some other car care tips to keep in mind, especially
before heading on a long road trip:
* Cooling System. If you haven't had
the cooling system of your car flushed recently, do
it now. This will help prevent your car from overheating.
* Check your belts and hoses for cracking
and have them replaced if necessary.
* Check your filters and replace them
if necessary.
* Check that your radiator pressure
cap is in good condition.
* Change your oil frequently.
* Make sure your car's air conditioning
system is in tip top shape. You don't want to find out
in mid July, when it's 90 degrees in the shade that
the air conditioning isn't working.
* Inspect your tires. Make sure that
your tires are wearing evenly and that they do not need
to be replaced.
For more information about 5 Star Shine,
call toll free (866) 395-7827 or visit www.5starshine.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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