Subaru 2003 Baja - Manual (Page 305)

BAJA U.S.A..A2310BE–A
10
Appearance care
10-3
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B Washing the underbody
Chemicals, salts and gravel used for deicing road surfaces are ex-
tremely corrosive, accelerating the corrosion of underbody compo-
nents, such as the exhaust system, fuel and brake lines, brake
cables, floor pan and fenders, and suspension.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and inside of the fenders with luke-
warm or cold water at frequent intervals to reduce the harmful effects
of such agents.
B Using a warm water washer
D Keep a good distance of 12 in (30 cm) or more between the wash-
er nozzle and the vehicle.
D Do not wash the same area continuously.
D If a stain will not come out easily, wash by hand. Some warm water
washers are of the high temperature, high pressure type, and they
can damage or deform the resin parts such as mouldings, or cause
water to leak into the vehicle.
J Waxing and polishing
Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing and polishing.
Use a good quality polish and wax and apply them according to the
manufacturer’s instructions. Wax or polish when the painted surface is
cool.
Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim, as well as the painted sur-
faces. Loss of wax on a painted surface leads to loss of the original lus-
ter and also quickens the deterioration of the surface. It is recommended
that a coat of wax be applied at least once a month, or whenever the
surface no longer repels water.
If the appearance of the paint has diminished to the point where the lus-
ter or tone cannot be restored, lightly polish the surface with a fine-
grained compound. Never polish just the affected area, but include the
surrounding area as well. Always polish in only one direction. A No. 2000
grain compound is recommended. Never use a coarse-grained com-
pound. Coarser grained compounds have a smaller grain-size number
and could damage the paint. After polishing with a compound, coat with