United Tire and Service News

If you're the owner of a classic car in the Philly area, then you've probably already made substantial investments to maintain its pristine condition. And, of course, you want to keep it that way. Maintenance comes with the enjoyment of owning a car that has more than just resale value. There's sentimental value and long-lasting memories. We know that many of you are do-it-yourself owners with mechanical capabilities, United Tire & Service is pleased to offer you the most efficient maintenance tips to keep your beauty looking its best. 

 

Proper classic car care is essential to longevity and maintaining an appearance that catches people's eyes. You would never take yours to a regular drive-through car wash, right? At least we hope not, especially if you want to maintain its potential value. What makes classic car care different is mostly the cleaning materials you should use. Being selective not only helps to keep it looking good but also prevents costly damages. And because classic cars are more prone to develop rust, specialized materials are imperative.

 

Choose the Right Soap: Make sure that the soap used for the car care is abrasive-free and specially designed for classic cars. They often have added ingredients specifically made to prevent a dull finish or leaving a less desirable quality appearance. Over time, using the wrong type of soap will eventually diminish the quality of the paintwork.

 

Hand-Wash Only: Use sheepskin or cotton chenille washing mitts and hand-wash only. And never, under any circumstances, use a machine wash or power wash. For tight and unreachable areas by hand, use a soft-bristle toothbrush. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible to prevent water spots and streaks, which occur when the water evaporates too quickly.

 

Use a Top-Down Formation: Because of the laws of gravity, you should always start at the highest level and proceed to lower areas secondarily. Not only does this eliminate grime and contaminants from remaining longer than they should, but it also saves time. You don't want to have to wash the same area twice. You also prevent the likelihood that you will transfer harmful or harsh elements to the paintwork. 

 

Dry the Car Thoroughly: While this may seem like an obvious tip, you would be surprised how often people don't understand the importance of not allowing a car to air-dry, especially a classic car with thousands of dollars invested in the paintwork. Water may appear harmless, but tiny minerals often leave marks and can ruin the paintwork. Dry the exterior in divided sections too. Don't just go all over the place, or you may lose vital time before the above occurs.

 

Clean the Wheels Last: Many classic car owners love cleaning the wheels the most. So, as the saying goes, "save the best for last," and don't wash your wheels until you've completed everything else. Be sure to use a new towel or mitt and always use products specifically for wheels.

 

Wax Regularly: Waxing regularly not only helps to protect the paintwork, but wax also helps to eliminate UV damage. Just don't overdo it, or you may end up with wax buildup. If you want a shine that provides maximum protection and shine, waxing every six to eight weeks is ideal.

 

Clay Bar Usage: Have you noticed that the paintwork has gotten rough or gritty after you've completed washing and drying? A clay bar is a perfect solution, especially for hard-to-remove elements such as road salt and gravel. Bonus Tip: Spray lubricant or lukewarm water on the paintwork just before using the clay bar.

 

Because so many of you have modified the interior to meet your distinct characteristics, you should use the recommendations that align specifically with your modifications. For example, some owners have vinyl seats while others have leather—and some have chosen to remove the carpet entirely.

 

However, removing the stains and accumulated debris on the floors and seats are critical to keeping the interior tidy. So, our best tip for you is to use volatile and synthetic cleaners. Both cleaners have a high solvency level for car care and protect all types of fabrics from discoloration. And synthetic cleaners, specifically, are excellent for breaking up stains for easier removal.

 

We hope that our car care tips are helpful. Let us know if you need more information. United Tire & Service is always available at 13 independent locations for all your automotive needs.