People know you by what you drive. But come monsoon and you wish this were untrue. The clouds ensure that the sun remains hidden just like the sparkle on your car. Not to mention the blobs of dirt which precipitate on your car in the moist condition and the standing water that leaves your car looking like a patchwork of colours. And all of this, despite paying your daily cleaner to keep your car sparkling. Since most of us do not have the inclination or the time to give our cars a soothing wipe before we drive off to honk the drums out of other people's ears, here are five tips which will save you the need of making excuses for your dirt-ridden 4-wheeler and ensure that your car looks presentable when you get to work.
Polish it up
Polish and Teflon coat your car. This should be done before the rains set in. A polish followed by a coat will ensure that your car has a glistening look and more importantly, a smooth surface which will help those water droplets slither down. It will also prevent the moist dust from sticking to your surface like a leech. You will have realised that when you try prying one of these blobs of your car, they leave behind scratches and heartburn
The waxed look
If the rains have caught you unawares, worry not. There are a lot of DIY car wax kits available which will take little time and lesser money. Visit your car accessories store or even your dealer and do the needful. Get your car washed and dried thoroughly, park it in a shade to keep away from rain and the sun (that's if it's shining), and get on with the job. Be gentle and move your hand in circles using a sponge to apply the wax and then clean the excess wax with a soft and clean piece of cloth
Don't make light
Lights, windscreens and glasses are like ornaments on a car. During rains these can get really dirty. Whatever you do, keep these clean as they not only add to your car's beauty, but are also critical for visibility. Nothing can guarantee a good looking car if you can't see where you are going. The least you can do is to ensure that your windscreen washer is always full and your wiper blades new. There are glass polishing products available which will help you take care of these better
Interior check
It is of little use if beauty is only skin-deep. What happens when you have your boss or colleague hitching a ride with you to a client meeting or back home and you have a car full of musty odour because of the dampness all around? There will be talk of it in your office and very soon you will realise that nobody wants a ride with you anymore. Instead, use air-fresheners to keep the air clean, especially during rains and get your car vacuumed and polished internally as the upholstery can look damp. Try using fabric mats instead of rubber ones during rains to soak up the rain water
Hot wheels
How would you look in a tuxedo and a dirty pair of shoes? The same goes for your car as well. Do not ignore the wheels and tyres as they stick out like sore thumbs if unclean. Get the wheels cleaned everyday. This will not only ensure that your car looks a complete package but will also keep the bolts from jamming and the braking to optimum. There are a lot of shampoos and waxes available in the market which will help you keep your wheels and tyres in shape and look beautiful !
aniruddha.khandekar@mid-day.com
