CAR CLEANING, WASHING AND CARE
=Body.=--The body is the carrying part of the car and usually consists
of an oak or ash frame covered with a thin sheet steel. It is bolted to
the frame of the car, and aside from washing and cleaning and keeping
the bolts tight to prevent squeaks, it requires no further care.
=Body Washing.=--When about to wash the body, soak the dirt off with a
gentle open stream of cold water. That is, remove the nozzle from the
hose, and do not rub. Remove mud before it gets dry and hard whenever
possible. Grease can be removed with soap suds and a soft sponge. Use a
neutral auto soap, and rub as little as possible. Rinse thoroughly with
a gentle stream of cold water, and dry and polish with a clean piece of
chamois skin. If the body has a dull appearance after washing, due to
sun exposure or too frequent washing, apply a good body polish lightly
and polish until thoroughly dry with a clean piece of gauze or cheese
cloth.
=Running Gear Washing.=--Scrape the caked grease and dirt off from the
brake drums and axles, and scrub lightly with a soft brush dipped in
soap suds. Rinse thoroughly with a gentle stream of cold water. Dry
with a piece of cloth or a chamois. Old pieces of chamois skin which
are too dirty to use on the body can be used to dry the running gear.
If the running gear takes on a dirty appearance after becoming dry, go
over it with a cloth dampened with body polish. Tighten up all bolts
and make all adjustments while the car is clean.
=Engine Cleaning.=--Clean the engine with a paint brush dipped in
kerosene. Then go over it with a cloth dampened with kerosene.
=Top Cleaning.=--The top should never be folded until it is thoroughly
cleaned and dried. Dust on the outside can be removed by washing it
with clear cold water and castile soap. Be sure to rinse it thoroughly
with clear water. The inside should be dusted out with a whisk broom.
Be careful when folding it and see that the cloth is not pinched
between the sockets and bows, and always put on the slip cover when it
is folded to keep out the dust and dirt.
=Curtain Cleaning.=--Wash the curtains with castile soap. After they
are dry go over them with a cloth dampened in body polish. Always roll
the curtains; never fold them.
=Cleaning Upholstering.=--If the car is upholstered with leather or
imitation leather, it should be washed with warm water and castile
soap, then wiped off thoroughly with a clean cloth dampened in clear
warm water. If the upholstering is with cloth it should be brushed
thoroughly with a stiff whisk broom, then gone over lightly with a
cloth dampened in water to which a few drops of washing ammonia has
been added.
=Rug Cleaning.=--Clean the rugs with a vacuum cleaner, or stiff whisk
broom.
=Windshield Cleaning.=--Add a few drops of ammonia or kerosene to a
pint of warm water; and wash the wind shield with this solution and
polish with a soft cloth or tissue paper.
=Sedan or Closed Body Cleaning.=--Follow directions given for cleaning
upholstering and windshields.
=Tire Rim Cleaning.=--Remove the tires twice each season. Drive the
dents out of the rims, rub off all rust with sand paper, and file off
all sharp edges and paint the rims with a metal filler. Allow the paint
to dry thoroughly before replacing the tire. Rust on the rims causes
rapid tire and tube deterioration.
=Tire Cleaning.=--Rinse the mud and dirt off the tires, and wash them
with soap suds and a coarse sponge. Rinse with clear water.
=Lens Cleaning.=--To clean the light lens follow the instructions given
above for cleaning windshields.
Cover the car at night to prevent garage dust from settling into the
pores of the paint. This type of dust causes the varnish to check and
take on a dull dirty appearance, and is very hard to remove without the
use of soap. Use a neutral soap and rinse thoroughly with clear cold
water.
A good serviceable throw-cover can be made from any kind of cheap light
goods, or by sewing several old sheets together.
=Caution.=--Do not dust the car immediately after driving it in the
sun and never use a feather duster as this only pads the dust into the
varnish, and scratches it.
A good dusting cloth is made by dampening a soft cloth with an oil
polish. The cloth should be left to dry in the sun for several hours
after being dampened with oil.
Rinsing the body off with clear cold water and drying it with a chamois
skin is always preferable as it produces a clean appearance and
freshens the paint.