Make Sure Your Car Looks Cool When Warm Weather Arrives. Banish the Winter Blues and Get Ready to Cruise
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Sunny skies and spring breezes are just around the corner, and that means family vacations, cruising to the beach, driving to cookouts and tailgating at outdoor events. But if your car is still wearing a winter coat of salt, sludge, dirt, and grime, it may well be overlooked at the warm-weather festivities -- and it could create long-term performance issues for your car's engine, undercarriage and paint finish.
But a few simple tips from 3M Car Care can get your vehicle ready for spring style and summer fun in the sun while improving its horsepower, fuel efficiency and drivability.
"Spring cleanup for your car is just as important as cleaning your house or working on your lawn after a long winter," said John Mailand, technical services manager for 3M Retail Automotive. "The harsh weather can be hard on your car's mechanical systems, while tough road conditions can wreak havoc on your car's exterior. With a few easy cleaning and maintenance projects in the spring, you can get rid of winter's damage and make your car look -- and run -- great during the warm weather months."
Mailand knows a few things about cleaning winter-damaged vehicles from his many years in the freezing Minneapolis climate. While 3M engineers complete thorough testing of their products and recommended processes in the laboratory, Mailand and his team take their testing to the streets. In fact, they field tested the new 3M Performance Finish over the winter and found it stood up to 50 washes without losing its shine or protective qualities.
3M Car Care Recommends Exterior Clean-Up and Protection
For the car's exterior, the key is to get all of the exterior finishes thoroughly washed and restored, then protected with a long-lasting finish to stand up to hot sun and coastal climates. The top 10 tips include:
1. Give it a good bath with 3M Car Wash Soap to remove winter salt, sand, dirt and grime without removing wax protection.
2. Remove the tar and debris with 3M Adhesive and Wax Remover. Just rub it on with a microfiber cloth, let sit for a few minutes to loosen dirt, old wax and tar, then wipe off.
3. Clean the wheels and tires with 3M Wheel and Tire Cleaner to remove brake dust and highway grime.
4. Restore tires to brand new finish with 3M Tire Restorer. Just spray on and wipe off for a deep black luster. 3M Tire Restorer is also good for restoring black plastic bumpers and door handles to showroom style.
5. Protect the clean finish on the wheel hubs or rims with 3M Performance Finish. Just wipe on and wipe off. Not only will it stand up to months of car washes, it also will endure tar and debris from summer road construction.
6. Remove surface scratches with 3M Scratch Remover. This new product quickly removes the scratches from the paint and gradually bring back a high-polish finish. For deeper scratches use One Step Cleaner Wax. This easy to apply wax eliminates surface scratches and restores the shine to the paint finish in one easy step.
7. Give the car a good protective coat of 3M Performance Finish. This innovative finish, which chemically bonds with clear coat finishes, keeps the car's finish looking good through up to 50 washes. And it is simple to apply with no hazing -- just wipe on and wipe off in minutes using a 3M Microfiber Cloth without any worries for residue left in cracks and crevices.
8. Get the glass clean inside and out with 3M Glass Cleaner, which has a unique vertical cling to prevent drips and is safe to use on glass, plastic, chrome, metal and painted surfaces.
9. Protect the upholstery with 3M Leather and Vinyl Restorer, which revives the natural sheen and soft feel of the factory finish.
10. Clean the car's carpet with 3M Carpet Cleaner and remove winter salt and dirt with 3M Scotchgard™ Fabric and Upholstery Protector spray.
"A great finish is like sunscreen for your car," added Mailand. "It makes the car shine while protecting from damaging sunshine. Once you've cleaned and protected your car, all you need to do is wash it at least once a month to remove dirt and tar. You'll be ready to cruise all summer long."
Give Your Car an Extra Boost for Summer
It isn't just the exterior of the car that needs a little extra cleanup from winter -- so be sure to check the car's mechanical system, fluids and components. 3M recommends eight easy tasks that can be done at home to improve the car's performance during hot weather, including:
1. Clean the engine bay to remove damaging residue. Warm up the engine for a few minutes, then spray water throughout engine compartment with hose and nozzle. Spray 3M Engine Degreaser on the engine and use 3M Tire Restorer on rubber hoses to add moisture and prevent cracking. Spray underbody of car and wheel wells to remove salt and sand.
2. To improve towing performance and transmission longevity, use 3M Transmission Oil Treatment, which reduces formation of sludge and varnish; improves protection against wear for moving parts and metal components and increases shear stability to maintain fluid viscosity and reduce oil thinning.
3. Prevent rough idling with 3M Throttle Plate and Carb Cleaner. Just spray it on to the throttle plate to clean, lubricate and increase engine performance.
4. Add 3M Complete Fuel System Cleaner to clean fuel injectors, intake valves and combustion chambers for maximum power and fuel economy.
5. Check the tire pressure and fill to the manufacturer's recommendation. Hot weather increases tire pressure, which can lead to blown tires on the highway -- not a great way to spend your vacation time.
6. Prepare door, hood and trunk hinges, locks and other moving parts with 3M Multi-Purpose Spray Lubricant. This lubricant is four products in one -- it lubricates, penetrates, displaces water and resists corrosion.
7. Flush the coolant system and check your fluids. Summer driving can mean lots of bugs on the windshield, so be prepared.
8. Check the battery. If it is four years or older, it might be a good time to replace it, particularly if the car is operated in a cold climate.
"Whether you're cruising the beach or just cruising to the office, your car gets more attention during the spring and summer," Mailand said. "Now you can make your car look great -- quickly and cost efficiently -- while enjoying the sun in your own driveway. At 3M Car Care, we're focused on providing consumers -- whether new DIYers or automotive enthusiasts -- the smart solutions to get the job done right, all backed by 3M's trusted science and innovation."
The 3M Car Care product line is a comprehensive line of 3M products for automotive maintenance. The innovative product line includes performance cleaning products, waxes, compounds, glazes, adhesives, abrasives and specialty products, previously available exclusively to the professional market. 3M's Automotive Aftermarket Division serves the automobile owner and hobbyist as well as professional body shop, recreational vehicle and mechanical service markets.
The 3M Car Care product line can be found at leading automotive aftermarket retailers and online through select distributors. For more information on 3M Car Care products, visit www.3Mcarcare.com.