Body — maintenance and repair (Chevrolet Tahoe 1)

1. The condition of your car's body is very important because it largely determines its resale value. It is much more difficult to repair a neglected or damaged body than mechanical parts. Hidden body cavities such as wheel wells, frame and engine compartment are also no less important, despite the fact that they do not require as much attention as other parts of the body.

2. Once a year, or every 20,000 km, it is very useful to clean the underbody with steam. All traces of dirt and oil will be removed, and then this area can be checked for rust, damaged brake lines, worn electrical wires, damaged cables, etc. At the end of this work, the front suspension components should be lubricated.

3. Clean the engine and engine compartment at the same time using a steam cleaner or grease remover.

4. Particular attention should be paid to the wheel wells, as the backing may peel off and stones and dirt thrown up by the wheels may damage the paint and allow rust to appear. If you find rust, clean the damaged surface down to the metal and apply anti-corrosion paint to it.

5. The bodywork should be washed at least once a week. Wet the car thoroughly to soften the dirt, then rinse it off with a soft sponge and plenty of soapy water. If dirt is not rinsed off thoroughly, it can rub off the paint.

6. Tar or bitumen stains must be cleaned with a cloth soaked in solvent.

7. Polish the body and chrome parts at least every six months. If you use chrome cleaner to remove rust from plated parts, remember that the cleaner also removes the chrome, so use it with caution.