Regular washing
Regular washing and care help maintain the value of your vehicle and keep it looking like new. This may also be one of the requirements of acknowledging warranty claims in the event of corrosion or paint defects. The best protection for your vehicles paintwork against the weather and chemicals in the atmosphere is frequently washing and waxing. We suggest you remove substances like, insects and bird droppings from the surface of the vehicles as soon as possible. We have collated some basic washing tips for your vehicle below.
Exterior
- Prior to washing your vehicle, always observe local regulations relating to water usage.
- Before you wash or clean your vehicle, or carry out any maintenance, switch off the engine, remove the key from the ignition and apply the parking brake.
- Before washing, please soak and remove substances such as insects, bird droppings, resinous tree sap, road and industrial dust, tar, soot particles, and other aggressive materials that remain on the surface of the vehicles paint.
During washing
- Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is dry.
- Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes this can damage the paintwork or glass on your vehicle. Soak dirt, mud or dust with plenty of water.
- First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off.
- Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, glove or a brush. Start on the roof and work your way down. Use only light pressure.
- Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and often.
- Special vehicle shampoo should only be used for very stubborn dirt.
- Clean the wheels, sill panels last, using a recommended automotive cleaning product for very stubborn dirt.
- Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water
- Dry the paintwork carefully with a chamois. Note: Avoid any sudden braking immediately after washing as the water on the brake pads and discs cause the brakes to react slowly, therefore increasing stopping distances.
- Dry the brakes by applying the brakes carefully several times.
Cleaning and caring for plastic
- Use a clean, damp cloth to clean plastic parts and the dash panel.
Cleaning wood trim
- Clean wooden trim with a clean cloth moistened with water. If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a gentle soap solution.
Cleaning cloth and fabric
- Cloth seat covers and fabric trim on the doors, headliners etc. can be cleaned with a special interior cleaner or with dry foam and a soft brush.
Cleaning leather
- For cleaning leather, use a cotton cloth with water and wipe over.
- More stubborn dirt can be removed using a mild soap solution.
- Do not let the water soak through the leather or into the seams.
- Wipe off with a soft dry cloth.
- Treat the leather with a leather care product every six months. This product is available from your John Hughes Volkswagen dealership.
Regular waxing protects the paintwork
- You need to apply a good protective wax coating to your vehicle if water does not form small drops and runs of the paintwork when it is clean.
Regular washing
Regular washing and care help maintain the value of your vehicle and keep it looking like new. This may also be one of the requirements of acknowledging warranty claims in the event of corrosion or paint defects. The best protection for your vehicles paintwork against the weather and chemicals in the atmosphere is frequently washing and waxing. We suggest you remove substances like, insects and bird droppings from the surface of the vehicles as soon as possible. We have collated some basic washing tips for your vehicle below.
Exterior
- Prior to washing your vehicle, always observe local regulations relating to water usage.
- Before you wash or clean your vehicle, or carry out any maintenance, switch off the engine, remove the key from the ignition and apply the parking brake.
- Before washing, please soak and remove substances such as insects, bird droppings, resinous tree sap, road and industrial dust, tar, soot particles, and other aggressive materials that remain on the surface of the vehicles paint.
During washing
- Never attempt to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle is dry.
- Never use a dry cloth or sponge for cleaning purposes this can damage the paintwork or glass on your vehicle. Soak dirt, mud or dust with plenty of water.
- First soften the dirt with plenty of water and rinse off.
- Clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, glove or a brush. Start on the roof and work your way down. Use only light pressure.
- Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and often.
- Special vehicle shampoo should only be used for very stubborn dirt.
- Clean the wheels, sill panels last, using a recommended automotive cleaning product for very stubborn dirt.
- Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water
- Dry the paintwork carefully with a chamois. Note: Avoid any sudden braking immediately after washing as the water on the brake pads and discs cause the brakes to react slowly, therefore increasing stopping distances.
- Dry the brakes by applying the brakes carefully several times.
Cleaning and caring for plastic
- Use a clean, damp cloth to clean plastic parts and the dash panel.
Cleaning wood trim
- Clean wooden trim with a clean cloth moistened with water. If this does not provide satisfactory results, use a gentle soap solution.
Cleaning cloth and fabric
- Cloth seat covers and fabric trim on the doors, headliners etc. can be cleaned with a special interior cleaner or with dry foam and a soft brush.
Cleaning leather
- For cleaning leather, use a cotton cloth with water and wipe over.
- More stubborn dirt can be removed using a mild soap solution.
- Do not let the water soak through the leather or into the seams.
- Wipe off with a soft dry cloth.
- Treat the leather with a leather care product every six months. This product is available from your John Hughes Volkswagen dealership.
Regular waxing protects the paintwork
- You need to apply a good protective wax coating to your vehicle if water does not form small drops and runs of the paintwork when it is clean.
- A good coat of wax helps to protect the paintwork from environmental contaminants. It also protects against minor scratches.
- Even if a wax solution is used regularly in the car wash, it is advisable to protect the paint with a coat of hard wax at least twice a year.
- Genuine Volkswagen wax can be sourced through your local John Hughes Volkswagen Service Centre
