Looking after our EXPENSIVE adapted vans

[Burgerman]

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... pril-2014/

8 years old, and still looks and drives like new. Even the ramp unmarked!

Because:

- I avoid driving in winter, or on wet salty roads at least. It corrodes things badly. Rain in summer is no problem.
- I spray the underside with a few cans of 3 in one oil every year. Oily metal cannot rust.

- Get a WATER BUTT as soon as possible! I only wash it in plain RAIN water with barely enough wash and wax to make any bubbles. You don't want more. Use a regularly renewed sponge and keep it clean or get swirl marks. Drop it? Bin it. Use just enough Wash & wax to kill the surface tension and no more or it strips the old wax off and dries crap! Wash ONLY In COOL CLOUDY weather or rain. Or in evenings after sun has gone. You do NOT want any water DRYING on your car. Rainwater dries pretty clean, but still leaves chemicals behind. Tap-water is loaded with hard solids and lime-scale that crystalize out as it dries. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meguiars-Ulti ... 4ac736075b

- I rinse with rain water, a panel at a time as wash. NEVER tap water. Get it washed and rinsed FAST.

- I never use a wash leather to dry it off, they scratch everything and leave evil super fine swirl marks that make your car look old. Water needs to run off on its own (bad if it DRIES!) or better still be BLOWN off with a 4 stroke leaf blower. Guess what I use. http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... -thumb.jpg If the vehicle is properly waxed, then its now finished and gleams and you didn't need to touch it with a cloth. No cloths or polishing required. You are done. Unless you want to re-wax it.

- I only ever use this wax polish, its fast and easy, and do it within 2 hours of the washing above, 1 panel at a time including all the glass, lights etc. Not the bare plastic. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meguiars-Ulti ... 2ed0cf332f

- I use NOTHING else. No other products. If you need other stuff, you already did it wrong...

Doing the above makes it EASY to keep it perfect and as new. Literally 25 mins a week.

My van looks, smells and could be mistaken for new. Its in its 8th year. Inside is the same, just care and a vacuum, and a damp cloth. No silicones, no cleaners etc. All looks brand new.

OR

Worst case: Sunny day, washing up detergent, tap water, old gritty sponge, wash-leather. And then wax the hard way. This will be sure to make it look terrible every time, and be full of swirl marks, white lime-scale in every crack and crevice and to look OLD fast... Yet this is what I see people do every sunny day. So any of this stuff just ONCE, and that paintwork is damaged for good, and cannot ever look the same again.

[rustyjames]

Excellent advice. Many years ago I did automotive collision, restoration and refinishing, and did the same routine: no washing/polishing in the sun, making sure the sponge/cloths stay clean, etc. I've got a black van and it's a bitch to keep up with.