Body and frame care (BMW 5 Series E28)

The overall condition of the car body is a factor that significantly affects its resale value. Body maintenance is not difficult, but it must be done regularly. Neglecting maintenance, especially after minor damage, can lead to rapid further deterioration of the body and increased repair bills. It is also important to pay attention to the invisible elements of the car body, such as its underbody, the inner surfaces of the wheel arches and the lower elements of the engine compartment.

The main procedure for car body care is washing it, preferably with plenty of water from a hose. A strong stream of water removes hardened lumps of dirt stuck to the surface of the car body. Removing stuck solid particles and grains of sand in this way is an important requirement to avoid scratching the polish when wiping painted surfaces. Washing off accumulated dirt from the inner surface of the wheel arches and from the bottom of the car is necessary because a thick layer of dirt has the ability to retain moisture, which leads to the formation and rapid development of corrosion. Paradoxically, the best time to clean the wheel arches and the bottom is damp weather, when the stuck dirt is well moistened and softened. In very damp weather, the bottom of the car is usually cleaned of large accumulations of dirt automatically, and this is the best time to inspect it.

It is recommended to periodically perform a complete steam cleaning of the underbody of the car, including the engine compartment (except for vehicles with wax-based underbody protection), for subsequent thorough inspection and determination of the extent of necessary minor repairs and restoration procedures. Steam cleaning is possible in most auto repair shops at service stations, and is necessary to remove oil and ingrained soot, which in some places reaches a significant thickness. If it is not possible to clean with steam, you can use excellent degreasing solvents, which are always commercially available, and are best applied with a brush; the softened and dissolved dirt can then be easily removed with a hose. Please note that these methods cannot be used on vehicles with a wax-based underbody coating, or this coating must first be removed. Such vehicles should be inspected annually, preferably before the winter season. The underbody should be washed and any damage to the wax coating repaired. Ideally, a fresh coating should be applied to the underbody. It is also worth considering using a similar wax-based coating on the inside of door panels, body sections, etc. as additional corrosion protection if such protection is not provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

After washing away dirt from painted surfaces, rub them thoroughly with a piece of chamois leather until the surface is immaculately clean and smooth. Applying a coat of protective wax polish will provide additional protection to the paint from the effects of aggressive chemical ingredients in the atmosphere. If the polish has become dull or oxidized, the original shine can be restored using a combination of cleaner and polish. This will require some effort, but it should be remembered that this type of dullness usually occurs as a result of neglecting the procedure for regularly washing the car. When treating metallized surfaces, precautions must be taken such as the use of special non-abrasive cleaners/polishes so as not to damage the shiny surface. Ensure that drain holes, gutters and tubes of door openings and vents are always clean and allow unimpeded drainage of water. Metallic trim should be treated in the same way as painted surfaces. Windshield and side window glass can be cleaned of the greasy film that often forms on them using special glass cleaners. Never try to use wax or any other polishes intended for bodywork or chrome parts to polish the glass.