Body maintenance and repair [Toyota Land Cruiser J60]

The condition of your car's body is very important because it largely determines its resale value. It is much more difficult to repair a neglected or damaged body than mechanical parts. Hidden body cavities such as wheel wells, frame and engine compartment are also no less important, despite the fact that they do not require as much attention as other parts of the body.

Once a year, or every 20,000 km, it is very useful to clean the underbody with steam. All traces of dirt and oil will be removed, and then the area can be checked for rust, damaged brake lines, worn electrical wires, damaged cables, etc. At the end of this work, the front suspension components should be lubricated.

At the same time, clean the engine and engine compartment with a steam cleaner or grease remover.

Particular attention should be paid to the wheel wells, as the underlay can peel off and stones and dirt thrown up by the wheels can damage the paint and allow rust to set in. If you find rust, sand the damaged area down to the bare metal and apply anti-corrosion paint.

The bodywork should be washed at least once a week. Wet the car thoroughly to soften the dirt, then rinse it off with a soft sponge and plenty of soapy water. If dirt is not rinsed off thoroughly, it can rub off the paint.

Tar or bitumen stains should be cleaned with a cloth soaked in solvent.

At least every six months, polish the body and chrome parts. If you use chrome cleaner to remove rust from plated parts, remember that the cleaner also removes the chrome, so use it with caution.