Five Myths (and the Truths Behind Them) About Car Care

car wash It doesn't matter where you live, summer has pretty much arrived! I celebrated the season's arrival by washing and hand waxing my own car this weekend, removing the winter's grime and restoring the worn paint to a shiny lustrous glow I had forgotten it could display. I almost don't even want to drive it because it looks so pretty I don't want to get it dirty again!

My weekend's detailing session reminded me that there are many myths and misconceptions about how best to care for a vehicle. To help clear the air and help consumers better maintain their vehicles, experts at Turtle Wax sent out these five common car care myths and the truths behind them:

car wax New vehicles do not need to be waxed.
False: The clear top coat on today's cars can be easily dulled and marred by abrasive soils and environmental pollution. Regular car care is needed to maintain a vehicle's aesthetic beauty. Car wax will clean, shine and protect automotive finishes while acting as a protective barrier from everyday wear and tear.

Dishwashing detergent is safe to use as a car wash.
True, but not recommended: Any dishwashing detergent is meant to remove contaminants from the surface, which includes stripping the polymers of the paint surface. It is recommended that you use a safe car wash detergent that is diluted with water in order to avoid rubbing paint off the car.

The longer the duration of a wax job, the better the shine and protection.
True: Generally, the quality of the final vehicle appearance is proportional to the time and care that goes into detailing the vehicle. It also is important to note that protective and shine qualities of various wax products generally differ - it isbest to use well-known high-quality wax products, like Turtle Wax, rather than unknown bargain brands.

car wax Waxing once a year is enough to take care of a car's exterior.
False: Car care requirements depend on a variety of environmental conditions. Usually, car wax beading is a great indication of when a car needs to be re-waxed. If the beads are smaller than a quarter in a rainstorm or after washing, the wax barrier is still active. If water starts to form elongated beads or a thin sheet on the horizontal panels, it is time to re-wax.

Using a protectant too frequently on the interior can cause leather and interior plastics to dry out and crack.
False: Plastic and leather materials are soft and pliable due to chemicals used to manufacture the interior. Over time, the materials lose these key softening ingredients. Plastic shrinks, leather becomes stiff and wear becomes evident. Interior conditioners, like Turtle Wax(R) ICE(R) Total Interior Care, help prevent "plasticizer" loss to these ingredients, inhibiting the aging process.

For more information about available car care products for interior and exterior surfaces, visit www.turtlewax.com. This Web site offers a product selection tool to help users choose the right products for their vehicle and car care needs.

Jody DeVere, President AskPatty.com Jody DeVere
President and CEO
http://www.askpatty.com
http://www.carblabber.com