Appearance Care

Exterior Care

Exterior Care

The paintwork on your Mazda represents the latest technical developments in composition and methods of application.

 

Environmental hazards, however, can harm the paint's protective properties, if proper care is not taken.

 

Here are some examples of possible damage, with tips on how to prevent them.

Etching Caused by Acid Rain or Industrial Fallout

Occurrence

Industrial pollutants and vehicle emissions drift into the air and mix with rain or dew to form acids. These acids can settle on a vehicle's finish. As the water evaporates, the acid becomes concentrated and can damage the finish.

And the longer the acid remains on the surface, the greater the chance is for damage.

Prevention

It is necessary to wash and wax your vehicle to preserve its finish according to the instructions in this section. These steps should be taken immediately after you suspect that acid rain has settled on your vehicle's finish.

Damage Caused by Bird Dropping, Insects, or Tree Sap

Occurrence

Bird droppings contain acids. If these are not removed they can eat away the clear and colour base coat of the vehicle's paintwork.

 

When insects stick to the paint surface and decompose, corrosive compounds form. These can erode the clear and colour base coat of the vehicle's paintwork if they are not removed.

 

Tree sap will harden and adhere permanently to the paint finish. If you scratch the sap off while it is hard, some vehicle paint could come off with it.

Prevention

It is necessary to have your Mazda washed and waxed to preserve its finish according to the instructions in this section. This should be done as soon as possible.

 

Bird droppings can be removed with a soft sponge and water. If you are travelling and these are not available, a moistened tissue may also take care of the problem. The cleaned area should be waxed according to the instructions in this section.

Insects and tree sap are best removed with a soft sponge and water or a commercially available chemical cleaner.

 

Another method is to cover the affected area with dampened newspaper for 1 to 2 hours. After removing the newspaper, rinse off the loosened debris with water.

Water Marks

Occurrence

Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can contain harmful minerals such as salt and lime. If moisture containing these minerals settles on the vehicle and evaporates, the minerals will concentrate and harden to form white rings. The rings can damage your vehicle's finish.

Prevention

It is necessary to wash and wax your vehicle to preserve its finish according to the instructions in this section. These steps should be taken immediately after you find water marks on your vehicle's finish.

Paint Chipping

Occurrence

Paint chipping occurs when gravel thrown in the air by another vehicle's tyres hits your vehicle.

How to avoid paint chipping

Keeping a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead reduces the chances of having your paint chipped by flying gravel.

 

  • The paint chipping zone varies with the speed of the vehicle. For example, when travelling at 90 km/h (56 mph), the paint chipping zone is 50 m (164 ft).

  • In low temperatures a vehicle's finish hardens. This increases the chance of paint chipping.

  • Chipped paint can lead to rust forming on your Mazda. Before this happens, repair the damage by using Mazda touch-up paint according to the instructions in this section. Failure to repair the affected area could lead to serious rusting and expensive repairs.

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Follow all label and container directions when using a chemical cleaner or polish. Read all warnings and cautions.

Interior Care

Interior Care

 

Do not spray water into the vehicle cabin:

Spraying water into the vehicle cabin is dangerous as electrical devices such as the audio and switches could get wet resulting in a malfunction or vehicle fire.

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  • Do not wipe the interior using alcohol, chlorine bleach, or organic solvents such as thinner, benzene, and petrol. Otherwise, it may cause discolouration or stains.

  • Rubbing hard with a stiff brush or cloth may cause damage.

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If the vehicle interior becomes soiled by any of the following, wipe it off immediately using a soft cloth.

Leaving it uncleaned could cause discolouration, stains, cracks, or peeling of the coating, and it will make it hard to wipe off later.

  • Beverage or fragrance

  • Grease or oil

  • Soiling

Vinyl Upholstery Maintenance

Remove dust and dirt from the vinyl upholstery using a brush or vacuum.

Remove soiling from vinyl upholstery using a leather and vinyl upholstery cleaner.

Upholstery and Synthetic Leather Maintenance

Fabric

  1. Clean the soiled area by lightly dabbing it with a soft cloth soaked in a mild detergent (approx. 5%) diluted with water.

  2. Wipe off the remaining detergent using a cloth soaked in clean water and wrung out well.

Synthetic leather

  1. Remove dust and sand using a vacuum cleaner.

  2. Wipe the soiled area with a soft cloth soaked in a mild detergent (approx. 5%) diluted with water.

  3. Wipe off the remaining detergent using a cloth soaked in clean water and wrung out well.

Leather Upholstery Maintenance (Some Models)

  1. Remove dust and sand using a vacuum cleaner.

  2. Wipe off the soiled area with a soft cloth and a suitable, special cleaner or a soft cloth soaked in a mild detergent (about 5%) diluted with water.

  3. Wipe off the remaining detergent using a cloth soaked in clean water and wrung out well.

  4. Remove moisture with a dry, soft cloth and allow the leather to further dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area. If the leather gets wet such as from rain, remove the moisture and dry it as soon as possible.

 

  • Because genuine leather is a natural material, its surface is not uniform and it may have natural scars, scratches, and wrinkles.

  • To maintain the quality for as long as possible, periodical maintenance, about twice a year, is recommended.

  • If the leather upholstery comes into contact with any of the following, clean it immediately.

    Leaving it uncleaned could cause premature wear, mold, or stains.

    • Sand or dirt

    • Grease or oil, such as hand cream

    • Alcohol, such as in cosmetic or hair dressing items

  • If the leather upholstery gets wet, promptly remove moisture with a dry cloth. Remaining moisture on the surface may cause deterioration such as hardening and shrinkage.

  • Exposure to direct sunlight for long periods may cause deterioration and shrinkage. When parking the car under direct sunlight for long periods, shade the interior using sunshades.

  • Do not leave vinyl products on the leather upholstery for long periods. They may affect the leather quality and colouring. If the cabin temperature becomes hot, the vinyl may deteriorate and adhere to the genuine leather.

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Plastic Part Maintenance

 

Do not use polishing agents.

Depending on the product ingredients, they could cause discolouration, stains, cracks or peeling of the coating.

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