Operating instructions

SERVICING
Body
38 Washing
The car should he washed often since such things as dirt, dust, dead insects, tar
spots, etc. usually adhere firmly to the body and may damage the paintwork.
Washing also helps to counteract rusting. During the winter, make sure that all
road salt residue is washed off as soon as possible, otherwise corrosion can easily
occur. A car, the bodywork of which has been well taken of, has of course a
higher second-hand value, should the owner consider selling it.
When washing the car, make sure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight since
this can cause drying patches. Begin by softening up the dirt on the underside
of the body with a jet of water and use if necessary a soft brush. Then rinse
down the whole body with a light jet until the dirt has loosened up. Use plenty
of water. After this wash off the dirt with a sponge using plenty of water.
A washing agent can be used to facilitate washing. Special washing agents are
now available on the market - even dish-washing fluids can be used.
A suitable mixture is about 5-10 cl of fluid dish washer to 10 litres (2.2 Imp.
galls = 2.6 US galls) of water. Asphalt spots and tar pittings can easily be re-
moved with white spirit or equivalent, but this should be done after the wash-
ing.
Whenever a washing agent is used, the car should be well rinsed down
with clean water afterwards.
After washing, dry the car with a soft, clean chamois leather. Use different
leathers for the windows and the remainder of the car, otherwise using the same
leather can cause greasy smears on the windows.
39
Polishing (waxing)
The car does not need polishing until the surface finish begins to lose its lustre
and normal washing is no longer sufficient to make it shine again. Under normal
conditions it is sufficient to polish the car a couple of times a year on condition
that it is carefully looked after and thoroughly washed as soon as it has become
dirty or dusty. During the winter and in coastal or industrial areas it may,
however, be necessary to polish the car more often in order to avoid rusting.
Before the vehicle is polished it should be carefully washed and dried so that
scratches do not occur in the paintwork.
Polishing a couple of times a year is generally sufficient to give the surface
finish the maintenance it needs. If you want to wax the vehicle, be very care-
ful to ensure that the surface is absolutely clean before application. Often it is
necessary to use white spirit for cleaning.
Waxing should neither be considered as a substitute for polishing nor as a ne-
cessary protection for the paintwork against unfavourable weather. For the
most part waxing is not necessary until one year after delivery of the car.
Use only a good quality polish intended for a synthetic finish. Never polish or
wash the vehicle in direct sunlight as this can easily result in a smeary surface.
i 6
Touching-up surface finish damage
The touching-up of any extensive damage
to the synthetic finish requires the use of
special equipment and skill, so that the re-
pairing of any such damage should be en-
trusted to a Volvo workshop. Minor damage
caused by flying stones, etc. and small
scratches can, however, be attended to by
you yourself.
Damage caused by flying stones requires
i mmediate treatment. Therefore, make a habit
of checking the finish and carrying out
touching-up work regularly - for example
when washing the car. Volvo dealers can
supply you with suitable touching-up paint
with brush. Always check to make sure that
you get exactly the right colour.
1 If flying stones should penetrate the paint-
work and reach the metal of the body-
work, the damaged surface is to be scrap-
ed completely clean with a penknife or
similar. If, however, the paintwork is not
damaged by stones, then all that is need-
ed is light scraping to remove the dirt.
2 The picture shows a damaged spot scraped
clean
with "chamfered" edges ready for
touching-up.
3 In the event of severe damage due to fly-
ing stones, it is necessary to treat the spot
with anti-rust primer. This can be applied
with a matchstick or fine brush. The prim-
er should cover the whole of the scrap-
ed and "chamfered" surface.
4 When the anti-rust primer has dried,
genuine Volvo paint is applied. Stir the
paint well (but not with a brush). Apply
several thin coats of the paint allowing
it to dry thoroughly between each appli-
cation.