How To: Spring Cleaning for Your Car

Whether you’re in Vancouver or Toronto or anywhere in between, odds are your vehicle has had a tough winter. Corrosive road salt, loose stones and road debris wreck havoc on your car’s body. Plus, cold weather means it probably hasn’t had a good wash in months. Now that Canada is starting to thaw, PartSource is here to provide some easy but essential tips for giving your vehicle a good spring cleaning, 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.


Thoroughly Hand-Wash your Vehicle

Clean and vacuum your vehicle’s interior.
Use a hose with a mist-spray nozzle to wet down the car and wash away debris.
Using a bucket with tepid water and soap, sponge down all areas of the car gently, rinsing the sponge frequently. Do the fender and bumper areas last.
Blast the undercarriage and wheel wells with the hose to remove as much salt buildup as you can.
Rinse the whole car; from top to bottom, including windows and mirrors. Don’t let soapy areas dry before you’ve rinsed.
Dry the vehicle lightly with a chamois or natural-fiber drying cloth.
Make sure you have soap that's specifically for cars (available at PartSource).
IMPORTANT - Never wash your car in direct sunlight.

Look for Stone Chips, Sand Abrasions and Rust

Look over the body completely for stone chips, including smaller surface nicks and scratches from traction sand thrown up by trucks.
Repair them immediately with a touch-up kit (available at PartSource).
Make sure the spot is clean and dry, without any loose or sharp edges, and apply primer if bare metal is exposed.
IMPORTANT - If you have larger patches of rust, take your vehicle to the body shop.

Lubricate your Locks and Hinges

Consult with your owner's manual and use a graphite lubricant on your locks if recommended. Applying a small amount of petroleum-based lubricant (available at PartSource) to door and trunk hinges might also silence any creaking that started during winter.

Inspect your Weather-Stripping

If any of your weather-stripping looks mildewed, cracked, or brittle, replace it right away.
Spraying weather-stripping with silicone spray will ensure that the water will bead away.

Inspect your Car's Underbody for Rust and Winter Damage

If there are any suspicious areas they should be attended to immediately. Pay special attention to brake components (sticky calipers, corroded brake lines), and exhaust components (rusted clamps, crumbling tailpipes, holes forming in muffler) that might have salt or slush damage. Suspension and steering pieces such as bushings, strut mounts, springs, and tie rods are also susceptible to winter damage.
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