Exterior Care - Honda 1995 Civic Coupe Online Reference Owner's Manual

Exterior Care

Washing
Frequent washing helps preserve
your car's beauty. Dirt and grit
can scratch the paint, while tree
sap and bird droppings can
permanently ruin the finish.
Wash your car in a shady area,
not in direct sunlight. If the car is
parked in the sun, move it into
the shade and let the exterior
cool down before you start.
NOTICE
Chemical solvents and strong
cleaners can damage the paint,
metal and plastic on your car.
Rinse the car thoroughly with
cool water to remove loose
dirt.
Fill a bucket with cool water.
Mix in a mild detergent, such
Appearance Care
as dishwashing liquid or a
product made especially for
car washing.
Wash the car, using the water
and detergent solution and a
soft-bristle brush, sponge, or
soft cloth. Start at the top and
work your way down. Rinse
frequently.
Check the body for road tar,
tree sap, etc. Remove these
stains with tar remover or
turpentine. Rinse it off
immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to
rewax these areas, even if the
rest of the car does not need
waxing.
When you have washed and
rinsed the whole exterior, dry
it with a chamois or soft
towel. Letting it air-dry will
cause dulling and water spots.
As you dry the car, inspect it for
chips and scratches that could
allow corrosion to start. Repair
them with touch-up paint (see
page 139).
Waxing
Always wash and dry the whole
car before waxing it. You should
wax your car, including the metal
trim, whenever water sits on the
surface in large patches. It
should form into beads or
droplets after waxing.
You should use a quality liquid
or paste wax. Apply it according
to the instructions on the
container. In general, there are
two types of products:
Waxes - A wax coats the finish
and protects it from damage by
exposure to sunlight, air
pollution, etc. You should use a