Car components : Car Body

Construction

Cars were originally constructed on a chassis. A framework was built that held the engine, transmission, suspension and all the drive-train components. The vehicle body was then lowered on to this and attached as a separate unit. The chassis was made from two long sections of channel iron, which was heavy and provided strength.

This method of construction is still used today in larger vehicles like 4WDs and commercials, but most modern passenger cars are of a monocoque or single piece construction. This unitary construction or monocoque, while lighter than the older type, is stronger.

The monocoque is a series of panels, usually steel, which are shaped in enormous presses and welded together. Some body panels are then bolted on, such as, doors, bumpers and sometimes mudguards.

Certain panels are strengthened to carry suspension parts and to withstand collisions.

The front and rear areas have what are called ‘crumple zones’. These panels are designed to absorb the impact in an accident and impede the intrusion of components into the passenger compartment.

Since the introduction of crash tests for vehicles we have seen even greater improvements in design, which provide better protection for occupants.



Care

Regular washing will get rid of most of the contaminants but to really look after your car you need to apply a good quality car polish/wax every six months.

Never wash the car in direct sunlight, look for a shaded area and make sure the paintwork is cool before you start.

After you’ve washed the car and before you begin to apply polish, examine the bodywork for scratches, stone chips and dents. Touch up any marks with the correct colour paint. You should be able to get this from a good car accessory shop or franchise dealer.

If there are signs of minor corrosion on the bodywork act now, don’t wait. Corrosion can be easily treated in its initial stages by cleaning the area with a fine or medium wet and dry emery paper. Chip away any loose paint and apply a 'rust converter'. Follow the instructions on the product carefully and apply a coat of touch up paint to the area when finished. Major corrosion (if there are rust holes in the car) will need to be attended to by a specialist repairer.

Minor dents are best left alone if the paint is unbroken.

When applying polish/wax, cover one panel at a time and always use a soft applicator (cotton cloths are best). Apply the polish in a circular motion, allow it to dry for a minute or so and then polish off.

The paint coat is quite thin on cars so be careful not to apply too much pressure, as the resultant damage will be expensive to repair.