The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-10
POOR WASHING.
INJURIES AUTO
FINISH
Improper Methods Soon De-
stroy Varnish, Expert Says.
Explains Best Means.

Explains Best Means.
The purchaser of a motor car,
proud of it's respondent luster, is
prone to make many commendable
resolutions pertaining to it's fire.
quent washing and cleaning and
then actually do more harm than
good in the zeal with which these
operations are carried out, accord
ing to the observations of Fred
Prendergast, Of the Foss-Hughes
Company, Pierce-Arrow distributor
here.
IF one could watch the minute
care with which the final surface
is built up at the factory, where
coat after coat of expensive mate
rial is deftly applied and carefully
rubbed, the car owner would be
more specific when he gives instruc-
tions to have the car washed"
states Mr.. Prendergast. "He would
make sure that the water is no
warmer than so degrees for no
varnish will Withstand sudden ap-
lplication Of hot water. No matter
how much mud or dirt is on the
car, it should not be scrubbed off
with a brush.
Cleaning solutions should be
avoided, especially if they contain
ammonia or any kind Of I've soap.
And the practice of removing mud
and dirt by a harsh water blast is
decidedly detrimental because the
blast drives the grits of dust and
mud into the finish.
Dangers to Finish.
1.-THE integrity of the varnish is
impaired by every scratch it re-
ceives. Because these scratches
often are so small that they are
not apparent to the eye does not
lessen their danger to the finish.
Examine a car with the aid of an
charging glass after it has received
a thoughtless rush" washing and
the apparent glass-like surface is
found to be actually broken up into
countless cuts and scratches. The
process need be continued only a
comparatively few times when these
scratches will be worn through
the coats of finishing varnish,
allowing moisture to seep into the
gin to check, crawl and disinte-
CRATE.
when running water is used, the
pressure should be just sufficient
to keep the water moving six
inches from the end of an open
hose. Then the mud and dirt
should be gently loosened with a
soft clean cloth or sponge. II soap
must be used, it should be pure
CASTLE.
when the car is clean, 1t should
be showered off with cool but not
cold water, especially If warm water
has been used at the beginning of
the work or IL the car is to be
run out into cold weather. It is
advisable to wash one section at
a time, drying with a good chamois.
In using the chamois, the motion
should be in straight lines rather
than circular.
Frequent Washing Best.
1.-THE channels should be kept
clean throughout the operation,
washing it out frequently with
soap and water and rinsing thor
oughly with clean water. Do not
rub vanished surface after it is
dry. Washing the hood while it is
HoC 10 just dS Dau dS using not
water.
Every time the car comes in
after a muddy trip, it should be
washed before the mud has a
chance to set or harden. FIRE.
quent but proper washing when
car Is new will lengthen the life
Of the finish, the action of the
cool water tending to harden the
varnish. 1t should be remembered
that sudden temperature changes
always set up a severe strain upon
any vanished work and for that
rea son a car should not be kept in
a garage entirely devoid of heat,
or, on the other hand, driven out
of hot garage into zero weather.
Open the doors a few minutes and
let the cold air reach the car by
degrees. A car should not be stored
in any place where horses are
kept as ammonia fumes are
detrimental to varnish.
If the car is stored for any length
of time, it should be covered with
a soft-lined cover to keep dust and
from reaching the
finish"