2009 Mazda CX-9 Owner's Manual - Page 469

Maintenance and Care Appearance Care After washing the vehicle, dry it with a clean chamois to prevent water spots from forming. qRepairing Damage to the Finish Deep scratches or chips on the finish should be repaired promptly. Exposed metal quickly rusts and can lead to major repairs. WARNING Dry wet brakes by driving very slowly and applying the brakes lightly until brake performance is normal: Driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident. Light braking will indicate whether the brakes have been affected. Waxing Your vehicle needs to be waxed when water no longer beads on the finish. Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing it. In addition to the vehicle body, wax the metal trim to maintain its luster. 1. Use wax which contains no abrasives. Waxes containing abrasive will remove paint and could damage bright metal parts. 2. Use a good grade of natural wax for metallic, mica, and solid colors. 3. When waxing, coat evenly with the sponge supplied or a soft cloth. 4. Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth. NOTE A spot remover to remove oil, tar, and similar materials will usually also take off the wax. Rewax these areas even if the rest of the vehicle doesn't need it. CAUTION If your Mazda is damaged and needs metal parts repaired or replaced, make sure the body shop applies anti-corrosion materials to all parts, both repaired and new. This will prevent them from rusting. qPaint Damage Touch-up Repair damage to the finish caused by stone chipping, damage during parking etc., by using Mazda touch-up paint before rust begins to form. First, remove the dirt and grease with a clean soft cloth. If rust has already begun to form: 1. Remove rust completely with sandpaper. 2. Wipe with a clean soft cloth. 3. Apply rust preventive primer to the area. 4. After drying it completely, apply a suitable top coat material to the area. Of course there will be no problem if you assign the work to an Authorized Mazda Dealer. 8-55