How To: Clean Car - PartSource: Automotive, Truck Parts & Accessories

How To Clean Car

We’ve all washed cars before, but even the wise can get wiser, so we’re letting you in on a technique to quickly clean and care for your vehicle – inside and out.

Remember, if you have any questions or if you're unsure of anything, feel free to contact the Parts Pros at your local PartSource. They’ll always ready to help, no matter what the job is.

Let’s go!

Make Safety Your Top Priority

Every vehicle is different, so when it comes to maintenance and repairs, always follow the vehicle's owner's manual. Don't work with a Philips when it calls for flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance.

Safety should be your number one priority, so don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie. And watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace.

And finally, when the fun turns to frustration or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your abilities, seek the assistance of a Parts Pro, professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.

Before Getting Started

You’re probably going to want some tunes. We recommend something from the Lynyrd Skynard era.


Outside of the Car

Rinse & wet the car with standard tap water. A pressure washer is best for this but a standard hose with a strong jet setting will also do the trick.
Make sure loose grit is removed. The rest of the dirt will start to loosen as the water gets into it.
IMPORTANT - Do NOT use a sponge. It will pick up grit and you'll be rubbing the grit around and it'll act like sandpaper.
To allow time for the water to start dissolving the dirt it's a good time to clean out the inside of the car.

Inside of the Car

Remove any loose papers from the seats, floors and dashboard. For best results, remove the floor mats before vacuuming.
Vacuum the inside, using a Shop Vac vs. a standard Hoover as Shop Vacs have better suction power and can also pick-up water.
Wipe-down the dashboard and sides of doors with a damp cloth.
Avoid using paper products such as napkins or paper towels as they may leave unwanted dust. A clean damp rag or chamois works best.
Once everything is wiped down, you can use 11300/392517 Armor All Spray to help protect and shine plastic surfaces. This is on sale for Club Card Members only at 20% off!
Use spray sparingly to avoid a greasy finish.

Back to the Outside

The car should still be wet - hose it over one more time to get ready for the pre wash.
Using proper car wash soap such as G10464C/394540 Meguiars Deep Crystal wash, or 43213/394525 Simple Green Car Wash (2L on sale now at 20% off for Club Card members only!) and a soft sponge or microfibre mitt, very gently wipe over the entire car to remove the remaining grit particles. Start at the top of the car and work your way down rinsing the mitt frequently.
Using the above technique, clean one side of the car, rinse completely, and then proceed to the other side.
Avoid washing your car in direct sunlight as this may leave soap streaks. If you have no choice, rinse the car periodically during your washing to avoid this from happening. Use a bug & tar remover for heavily soiled areas

Wheels and Tires

Start by cleaning your wheels and tires off with a brush.
After the brush, use a hard sponge or scrub pad to remove any grit and dirt.
IMPORTANT - Do not use the same sponge for your bodywork has you have previously used on your wheels – it will be full of grit and scratch your paintwork.
Since break dust is hard to remove with elbow grease, you can use a chemical brake dust and alloy wheel cleaner.
Try attaching the new Mothers Power Ball 35140/399070 to the end of a drill for cleaning rims. This will give you the best results…especially if you use the 607SIM/395841 Mothers Power Ball Metal Polish.

Drying the Car Off

Dry the car off by using either using either a synthetic or a genuine leather chamois – both should be slightly damp.
Remember that a Chamois is not a towel. It works more like a wiper blade to creating a thin film of water and then evaporating.
Be Patient. This process takes time, and rushing it will sell your car’s beauty short.

Polish Time

Once your car is all nice and clean, examine the surface area of the car for any scratches or blemishes.
Use of a good polishing compound on and visible hairline scratches. Try the T-241C/391021 Turtle Wax polish compound. Always read the label carefully before using. If all you need is a quick high-finish polish, try the new T468C/392850 Turtle Wax Liquid Wax. This is a new revolutionary product that can be applied in direct sunlight…and doesn’t leave a white residue!
IMPORTANT - Small dents and deep scratches will require actual body work.
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