Victoria’s Read

Over the past decade, car manufacturers have developed different paint systems to improve durability. In the 1980s domestic cars had conventional finishes, that is, a pigmented enamel coat on top of the primer. Today, 96% of all new cars have a base coat / clear coat finish, which are comprised of a thin color coat covered by a clear acrylic or enamel urethane coat. This clear coat finish is only .2 mm thick. (About the thickness of an ordinary plastic trash bag.) Daily wear and tear on a car’s clear coat finish may leave it with swirl marks or signs of oxidation. To the eye, it means a dull and hazy looking appearance.

Your car’s finish provides more than beauty. Over time, a car’s paint erodes due to the effects of sunlight, UV radiation, salt, dirt and air pollution. Wax your car every six months with a quality wax or polish. More frequent waxes are needed if your car is red, black or white because these colors are more susceptible to acid rain and UV rays.

Frequent washing (once a week) and vehicle polishing (once every 6 months) go a long way towards protecting your investment. Keeping your vehicle consistently clean clears away the build-up of damaging chemicals and dirt that may attack your car’s finish. In northern Ontario we experience the use of road salt in winter months; frequent washing can also reduce the corrosive effects of salt that cause metal to rust.

Driving in snow and sleet can compound the effects of acid rain because of the corrosive nature of road salt. To prevent this damage, washing your car during the winter is highly recommended, provided the temperature is above freezing.

Waxes and polishes (these two terms are used interchangeably) serve three primary purposes:

1) Cleaning a car’s finish.

2) Improving the shine.

3) Protecting the surface against the offensive effects of foreign materials.

Most waxes/polishes contain very mild cleaning agents, along with shine ingredients, lubricants and waxes. Regular waxing and polishing also sets up a protective barrier against hostile attacks from the environment and your vehicle’s appearance will be protected for years to come.

Compliments of:

Jay’s Auto Centre
95 Lakeshore Dr.
North Bay
472-1838