TOMMY'S TIPS AND TRICKS

In order to get the best results from a car wax, it is necessary to first wash the car to remove dirt and road grime. Failure to do this can result in scratching of the finish during waxing due to the presence of abrasive particles in the road dirt. Washing is also effective in removing residue from industrial fallout, bird droppings and road salt.

Helpful Tips and Tricks:

• To prevent scratching, use two sponges – one for dirty areas, the other for cleaner parts.

• Drive car briefly afterwards; this will ensure the brakes are dry and prevent corrosion.

• Don’t forget to clean the painted areas covered by shut doors, tailgate, boot or bonnet.

Car Waxes and polishes serve three primary purposes: cleaning a car’s finish, improving the shine, and protecting the surface against Mother Nature. Most waxes/polishes contain very mild abrasives, along with chemical cleaning agents, lubricants and waxes. These abrasive services remove surface oxidation while leaving behind a high gloss shine.

Helpful Tips and Tricks:

• Never apply car wax onto surfaces that cannot be easily buffed.

• Ideal car waxing temperature is between 55˚F - 85˚F.

• Always apply paste wax in thin coats.

• Soft terry cotton or microfibers make perfect polishing cloths.

• Do not apply car wax in direct sun (unless you are using ICE®) on dark finishes, this makes polish and wax removal difficult.

• Only wax a car with a recently washed surface.

Wheels and Tires are about the hardest surfaces on a car to keep clean and shiny. That’s because they’re the surfaces closest to the road. Wheel care has become more complex in recent years with the growth in popularity of painted chrome wheels, ABS plastic hubcaps and mag wheels. Each of these sensitive surfaces needs specially formulated products to provide maximum cleaning without causing surface damage.

Helpful Tips and Tricks:

• Move car a few feet after cleaning to clean and shine the areas that were resting on the ground.

• If your wheels have heavy build-up of brake dust, use a stiff bristle brush in conjunction with a wheel cleaner to agitate the area.

• To avoid sling from tire dressings, simply wipe the tire sidewalls with a non-linting cloth or microfiber towel to remove the excess.

After paintwork, it is the biggest surface on your car; it’s right in front of your nose, yet it is probably the most commonly ignored. Most of us pay little attention to windows and screens when cleaning, thinking only the shampoo and sponge need to do their bit. Well, for wipers to work properly, the windshield has to be free from silicones which washing alone doesn’t always remove them.

Helpful Tips and Tricks:

• Drop opening side windows by a couple of inches to clean the top edge

• Glass doesn’t only mean the windows – don’t forget to clean the rear view and side mirrors!

It seems as if it’s just as hard to keep the inside of a car from getting dirty as the outside. Interior surfaces include vinyl, fabric and leather upholstery, carpeting, plastic or rubber floor mats and dashboards.

Helpful Tips and Tricks:

• Before cleaning these areas, we recommend vacuuming to remove loose dirt, particularly from the folds of the upholstery.

• Once you’ve finished cleaning the seat fabric, make sure you allow time for treatment to dry out.

• To get the headlining back to its best, a coarse decorator’s sponge is the perfect tool.

• Rub an ice pack over chewing gum to make it hard and easier to remove.

• Use a protectant to shine your dash. If you’re looking for a non-greasy product try ICE® Total Interior.

Some of you may think you need a new paint job, when all you really need is a paint rescue job – and a new life for your old finish. What you need is a good quality rubbing and polishing compound. What a rubbing and polishing compound does is rub away the top layers of oxidized film as well as some paint, restoring the paint to its factory condition.

Helpful Tips and Tricks:

• Rubbing compounds have heavy, gritty materials for slicing away heavy oxidation. Polishing compounds are less abrasive and are typically used to remove mild oxidation and light scratches.

• Do not let a compound dry on the paint finish! Water and oils in a compound provide key lubrication to the compound’s cleaning ingredients. A compound that dries may be difficult to remove or be too aggressive to the finish.

• Apply a compound with a damp applicator or cloth and remove immediately.

• After using rubbing and polishing compounds apply a wax to protect the area.

For those of us that experience the cold, dampness, and the sleet and snow of winter, know that this time of the year can be hard on a car, especially from the road salt. Start winter car care preparation before cold weather sets in.

Helpful Tips and Tricks:

• Thoroughly wash the car and towel dry.

• Remove any remaining tar and stains with a bug and tar remover.

• Seal any exposed metal from scratches or paint chips with touchup paint to prevent rust.

• Remember, a car can be waxed in cool weather as low as 50 F. Concentrate on the areas surrounding the wheels where salt and dirt accumulate.

• During the winter visit the local car wash regularly or any time excessive soils accumulate on the car's exterior. When winter ends and as soon as the weather starts to warm up, get ready to re-wax to restore shine and exterior paint protection.

• Use two sets of floor mats, one for winter conditions, and one for nicer weather.

• Seasonal car care which includes a good quality car wax will keep a car looking it's best for years to come.

Have you ever wondered where else you can use Turtle Wax products? Try some of these:

• Use wax on other vehicles such as motorcycles, boats, RV’s, Go Carts, etc.

• Use a car wash such as Zip Wax® Car Wash or ICE® on patio furniture

• Shine up your grill with a spray wax such as Express Shine or ICE Spray Wax

• Clean your guitar body with Turtle Wax Express Shine

• Polish your guitar frets with a polishing compound

• Repair scratches on CD’s, DVDs, and video game discs

• Clean your game counsels

• Shine up and polish your stainless steel appliances and bathroom fixtures with a liquid wax