Volvo 780 Owner's Manual page 87

1987 Volvo 780
It is particularly important to wash the car frequently in the wintertime to prevent corrosion, when salt
has been used on the roads. Also wash off the dirt from the underside (wheel housings, fenders, etc.)
In areas of high industrial pollution more frequent washing is also recommended.
Suitable detergents
Special car washing detergent or household detergent can be used. A suitable mixture is about 2.5 fl. oz.
(8.5 cl) of detergent to 2.6 US gal. (10 liters) of warm water. After washing with a detergent the car
should be well rinsed with clean water.
Bird droppings
Remove from paintwork as soon as possible. Otherwise the finish may be permanently damaged.
WARNING!
When the car is driven immediately after being washed, apply the brakes several times in order to
remove any moisture from the brake linings and to ensure proper braking.
Note:
When washing the car, remember to remove dirt from the drain holes in the doors and sills.
pg. 85 Automatic car washing, Polishing and waxing, Chromed parts
Automatic washing - simple and quick
An automatic wash is a simple and quick way to clean your car, but it is worth remembering that it may
not be as thorough as when you yourself go over the car with sponge and water. Keeping the underbody
clean is most important, especially in the winter. Some automatic washers do not have facilities for
washing the underbody.
Before driving into an automatic wash, make sure that side view mirrors, auxiliary lamps, etc., are
secure, otherwise there is risk of the machine dislodging them. You should also lower the antenna. We
recommend that you do not wash your car in an automatic wash during the first six months (because the
paint will not have hardened sufficiently)
Polishing and waxing
Normally, polishing is not required during the first year after delivery, however, waxing may be
beneficial.
Before applying polish or wax the car must be washed and dried. Tar spots can be removed with
kerosene or tar remover. Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing compound.
After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
Several commercially-available products contain both polish and wax.
Waxing alone does not substitute for polishing a dull surface.
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