1. The main factor determining the cost of a used car when selling it is the condition of the body. Repairing a neglected or damaged car body is much more difficult than repairing mechanical parts. Concealed body areas such as the wheel arches, frame and engine compartment are equally important, although they do not require as much attention as the rest of the body.
2. Once a year or every 20,000 km, it is recommended to perform a feather cleaning of the underbody. All traces of dirt and oil will be removed and the area can then be carefully inspected for rust, damaged brake lines, damaged wiring insulation, damaged cables, and other problems.
3. At the same time, clean the engine and engine compartment with steam or a water-soluble degreaser.
4. Particular attention should be paid to the wheel arches, as soil can peel off there, and stones and dirt thrown by the wheels can cause damage to the paintwork leading to rust. If rust is found, clean this area to a metallic sheen and apply an anti-corrosion coating.
5. The body should be washed approximately once a week. Wet the vehicle thoroughly to loosen the dirt, then wash the dirt down with a soft sponge and plenty of clean soapy water. If excess dirt is not washed off thoroughly, it can lead to wear on the paintwork.
6. Spots of tar or asphalt flying off the roadway should be removed with a cloth soaked in kerosene. Many hardware stores sell lamp kerosene. Also, it doesn't smell as harsh as pure kerosene.
7. Every six months, treat the body and chrome elements with mastic. If a chrome cleaner is used to remove rust from any part of a galvanized car, be aware that the cleaner also removes some of the chrome, so use the cleaner sparingly. Not all galvanized parts that are treated with chrome cleaner, apply a good galvanized mastic for extra protection.